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As a continued practice, the Information Technology (IT) department reviews its systems and controls to ensure that the University community, systems, and data are appropriately safeguarded. Given the implementation of MFA for all University accounts and in accordance with federal and industry best practices, we are implementing new password requirements for all NEOMED accounts, in alignment with our Password Policy.
What are the Password Requirements?
- Minimum password length will be fourteen (14) characters.
- Password complexity will be retained (currently in effect.) As a reminder, this means that your password:
- Must not contain your NEOMED username or parts of your full name; and
- Must contain characters from three of the following categories:
- Uppercase letters
- Lowercase letters
- Numbers 0-9
- Non-alphanumeric characters (special characters): (~!@#$%^&*_-+=`|\(){}[]:;"'<>,.?/)
- Any Unicode character that's categorized as an alphabetic character but isn't uppercase or lowercase. This group includes Unicode characters from Asian languages.
What to Expect When Prompted to Change Password
To enable existing users to adopt the new password requirements, NEOMED accounts will be set to expire on a set schedule. When your password is set to expire, you will be asked to change your password upon your next login. You’ll be contacted twice via email regarding the day in which your password will expire.
How you reset your password will differ depending on what type of device you are using, whether you are connected to the NEOMED network, and/or what system you are trying to access. Below are the most common scenarios you should experience. If there is a scenario not accommodated by this article or you require additional assistance during this process, please contact the NEOMED Help Desk.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you change your password, you will need to ensure that any passwords saved (i.e., Mac keychain passwords) are updated to reflect your new password, otherwise those services/systems may inadvertently lock your account (as they will be using your former password to try to authenticate.)
Also, after changing your password, you may receive prompts from Microsoft applications (i.e., Outlook, Teams, etc.) to authenticate again. Please complete the prompts to ensure the applications adopt your new password.
For Students & Those Using Personal Devices (Devices Not Connected to the NEOMED Domain)
If you are using a device that is not connected to the NEOMED domain (i.e., a personal device), you will be prompted to change your password when you access a system or service that authenticates using NEOMED’s multi-factor authentication (MFA) – examples of these systems include Outlook on the web, Canvas, Zoom, etc.
This example assumes you are accessing Outlook on the web via a web browser.
Via a web browser, you navigate to https://outlook.office365.com. You will be prompted to login with your NEOMED email address, password, and complete your MFA prompt to access Outlook on the web.
After completing your MFA prompt, you will be notified that your password has expired and needs to be updated. You will need to enter your existing password, followed by a new password (twice) that aligns with the new NEOMED password requirements. Once this is completed, select “Sign in.”
All NEOMED systems that authenticate against the NEOMED domain (i.e., University device) and other MFA-enabled applications will now utilize this new password. Other access and passwords will prompt for the updated password as needed.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you change your password, you will need to ensure that any passwords saved (i.e., Mac keychain passwords, phone mail clients, in web browsers) are updated to reflect your new password, otherwise those services/systems may inadvertently lock your account (as they will be using your former password to try to authenticate.) Please utilize the following Knowledge Base articles to assist you in ensuring your new password is used across your device(s):
For Employees
NEOMED Windows Devices Connected to the NEOMED Network via Ethernet (i.e., hardwired connection)
This example assumes you are a NEOMED employee logging into your NEOMED Windows device. The device in this scenario is connected to the NEOMED network via an Ethernet cable.
When logging into your NEOMED device, you will be prompted to enter your NEOMED username and current password, as normal.
Once entered, Windows will notify you that your password has expired.
Once you select “OK” you will be prompted to a new password (twice) that aligns with the new NEOMED password requirements.
After completing this, you will then complete logging into your NEOMED device.
All NEOMED systems that authenticate to the University domain will now utilize the new password. Other access and passwords will prompt for the updated password as needed.
You may receive a prompt like the below image after logging in.
If so, please lock your computer (press the Windows key and “L” together, or click the Start button -> Profile icon -> Lock) and log back in.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you change your password, you will need to ensure that any passwords saved (i.e., Mac keychain passwords, phone mail clients, in web browsers) are updated to reflect your new password, otherwise those services/systems may inadvertently lock your account (as they will be using your former password to try to authenticate.) Please utilize the following Knowledge Base articles to assist you in ensuring your new password is used across your device(s):
NEOMED Mac Devices Connected to the NEOMED Network via Ethernet (i.e., hardwired connection)
This example assumes you are a NEOMED employee logging into your NEOMED Mac device. The device in this scenario is connected to the NEOMED network via an Ethernet cable.
When logging into your NEOMED device, you will be prompted to enter your NEOMED username and current password, as normal.
Once entered, you will be prompted to enter a new password (twice) that aligns with the new NEOMED password requirements. Once this is completed, select “Reset Password.”
After completing this, you will then complete logging into your NEOMED Mac device.
For Mac users, you will likely get prompted about your Keychain Password after logging in. If you recall your previous (former) password that you just changed, select “Update Keychain Password.” Then enter your previous (former) password and select “OK.”
Alternatively, you can select “Create New Keychain” to create a new Keychain with your new password if experiencing issues.
All NEOMED systems that authenticate to the University domain will now utilize the new password. Other access and passwords will prompt for the updated password as needed.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you change your password, you will need to ensure that any passwords saved (i.e., Mac keychain passwords, phone mail clients, in web browsers) are updated to reflect your new password, otherwise those services/systems may inadvertently lock your account (as they will be using your former password to try to authenticate.)
Also, after changing your password, you may receive prompts from Microsoft applications (i.e., Outlook, Teams, etc.) to authenticate again. Please complete the prompts to ensure the applications adopt your new password.
Please utilize the following Knowledge Base articles to assist you in ensuring your new password is used across your device(s):
NEOMED Devices – Connecting to the NEOMED Network through the NEOMED VPN
Note: If you are already connected to the VPN when your password change occurs, you may not experience the following until you disconnect and reconnect to the network.
This example assumes you are a NEOMED employee working remotely, logging into your NEOMED device through the VPN.
Windows Devices
After you have connected to the NEOMED network through the VPN, you should soon receive a prompt like the below:
If so, please lock your computer (press the Windows key and “L” together, or click the Start button -> Profile icon -> Lock) and log back in.
When logging back into your NEOMED device, you will be prompted to enter your NEOMED username and current password, as normal.
Once entered, Windows will notify you that your password has expired.
Once you select “OK” you will be prompted to a new password (twice) that aligns with the new NEOMED password requirements.
After completing this, you will then complete logging into your NEOMED device.
All NEOMED systems that authenticate to the University domain will now utilize the new password. Other access and passwords will prompt for the updated password as needed.
You may receive another prompt like the below image after logging in.
If so, please lock your computer (press the Windows key and “L” together, or click the Start button -> Profile icon -> Lock) and log back in. You will log in using your new password.
All NEOMED systems that authenticate to the University domain will now utilize the new password. Other access and passwords will prompt for the updated password as needed.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you change your password, you will need to ensure that any passwords saved (i.e., Mac keychain passwords, phone mail clients, in web browsers) are updated to reflect your new password, otherwise those services/systems may inadvertently lock your account (as they will be using your former password to try to authenticate.) Please utilize the following Knowledge Base articles to assist you in ensuring your new password is used across your device(s):
Mac Devices
You may be prompted to change your password/update your Keychain to align with the new NEOMED password requirements. Please refer to Apple’s guidance in updating your password on your device after connecting via the VPN: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-the-login-password-on-mac-mchlp1550/12.0/mac/12.0
Once changed, all NEOMED systems that authenticate to the University domain will now utilize the new password. Other access and passwords will prompt for the updated password as needed.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you change your password, you will need to ensure that any passwords saved (i.e., Mac keychain passwords, phone mail clients, in web browsers) are updated to reflect your new password, otherwise those services/systems may inadvertently lock your account (as they will be using your former password to try to authenticate.) Please utilize the following Knowledge Base articles to assist you in ensuring your new password is used across your device(s):
I Do Not Know My Current Password - What Do I Do?
If you do not know your current password, you will need to utilize the Self-Service Password Reset tool to reset your password, which in doing so will require you to utilize the new password requirements. For more information regarding resetting your password, please refer to the Reset Your NEOMED Password Knowledge Base article.
Please note: To utilize the Self-Service Password Reset tool, you will have had to already setup multi-factor authentication with your account. If you have not yet done this and do not know your current password, please contact the NEOMED Help Desk.