Don’t forget your DRN password

By Paula Wilkes

ONE thing that can really spoil your festive mood when you return to work after the Christmas holidays, is forgetting your password and not being able to unlock your computer.

Historically, there’s been a significant rise in calls to the IT Service Desk immediately following the Christmas break, often as a result of failures relating to the moving of accounts and forgotten passwords.

Most of us have to remember a number of passwords and PIN numbers and it can all get a little overwhelming. So it’s understandable that we forget some of our passwords when we are not using them for a considerable amount of time.

The Chief Information Officer Group is working on initiatives to reduce the number of log-ons and passwords you need to remember.

We’re hoping some of these initiatives will be up and running early in the New Year, but in the meanwhile, here are some tips to help you remember your password when you return to work in 2006:

• Try to avoid changing your password just before you depart or go on leave (unless you really have to). If Microsoft Windows advises you that your password will expire and you will be away during that period, it is best to let it expire and just change it when you return to work.
  
• Try to use some sort of word association mechanism to remember your password.
  
• As a last resort, write down your password and store it securely. This may include sealing your password in a tamper evident envelope and storing it in a security container, or passing it to your USO for management.

Guidelines on this process can be found in Part 3 of the Defence Security Manual.

As we approach the festive season, many of you will be moving from one site or base to another.

If you are on the move, you should complete the March In/March Out (MIMO) wizard before you leave your current location. By completing the MIMO wizard, you are assured with have a working computer at your new location.

To access the MIMO wizard, visit the IT Services website at: http://drnsupport.defence.gov.au

By following all the simple steps above, you can avoid being locked out in January, which would be a great start to 2006.

If you forget your password and are unable to unlock your computer, or you don’t have computer access on arrival at your new location, please call the IT Service Desk on 133 272.

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