Security tips

We would like you to get the most you can when using the Password Management Portal. Below are some security tips to help you achieve this. If you have any questions or suggestions for improving this page please let us know by using our short feedback form.

Tips for protecting your password

Never tell anyone your password. (Even ICS staff will never need to know it.)
Do not tell anyone else your username (unless asked by ICS staff when dealing with IT-related problems).
Never write down your password or store it electronically.
If you are a slow typist, be aware that it is possible for someone to watch your fingers and memorise your password.
Do change your password regularly. To do this:
Passwords should:
- be at least eight characters long
- use both upper and lower case letters
- use a combination of number, punctuation and letters eg M0th£r (mother)
- not be a word in any language, slang, dialect or jargon
- not be based on personal information e.g. names of family members
- never be written down!
Do not walk away from a workstation while you are logged in. Someone else may use your username/account to eg delete some/all of your files or send abusive email from your email account. It could result in your username being suspended and you being penalised.
Remember YOU are responsible for all activities carried out under your username.

Tips for registering your answer challenge questions

Avoid letting other people know the answers to your challenge questions. If someone can guess your answers then this can could be used to gain access to your account.
Make sure the user defined question has an answer which is unlikely to be guessed by anyone else. Ideally it should contain more than one word and words which are not in common use.