Password guidelines

Use this guide to create complex passwords, protect passwords and manage password changes. When you access Saskatchewan Polytechnic IT resources, you are responsible for taking the appropriate steps, as outlined below, to select and secure your passwords. Review the How to manage your password and account article to make changes to your Sask Polytech account without assistance from the Service Desk.

Passwords identify the user and allow authorized access to IT resources to that user. Poorly chosen passwords or ineffective password practices may compromise the Saskatchewan Polytechnic network.

Password guidelines

1. Do not use the same password for Sask Polytech accounts as for other non-Sask Polytech access such as a personal email account.
2. Avoid using the same password for multiple Sask Polytech accounts.
3. Avoid using a password pattern, reuse of old passwords or simply adding numbers to the end of a current password.

Password golden rules

• It is your responsibility to protect your password.
• Never reveal your password over the phone or through any electronic form to anyone including your supervisor, co-workers or family members.
• Do not write your password down or store it anywhere in your office.
• Do not store passwords in any mobile or smart device without the use of proper encryption technology.
• Do not use the "Remember Password" feature of applications (e.g., web pages).
• Lock your workstation or use a screen-saver password when you leave for short periods. Use Windows key +L to lock your workstation.
• Log off or restart your computer at the end of the day and when leaving for extended periods. Leave your computer turned on to allow updates to occur as scheduled.

Password requirements

• Minimum 14 characters long
• Cannot have been used before in the past 24 months
• Known common or weak passwords and terms that are specific to our organization are blocked to enforce the use of strong passwords.
• Complex passwords require 3 of the following:
  • English lowercase characters: a-z
  • English uppercase characters: A-Z
  • Numbers: 0-9
  • Symbols such as ! # % ( ) ' ` * + - / : ? _
  • Unicode characters such as € Γ λ
• Passwords cannot contain
  • Cannot contain part of your name or username  
  • Your date of birth

Should not contain:

• Any of your name or username spelled backwards
• Patterns like aaabbb, qwerty, zyxwvuts, 123321, etc.
• Acronyms from any field
• Personal information such as addresses and phone numbers
• Names of family, pets, friends, co-workers, fantasy characters, etc.
• Any word found in a dictionary (English or foreign)

Remember your password

Use these tips to create passwords that are easier for you to remember:

• Combine 2-3 short words to create “pass phrases” to make it more memorable then add symbols or numbers within your pass phrases. Choose people or events that are on your mind.
• Create a password based on a song title, affirmation or other phrase
• Use something funny or unique to you.
• Use numbers or symbols to represent the letters they are replacing
• Use your password immediately and use it frequently; avoid changing your password on Friday or just before you leave on vacation.

Related articles

See Changing or resetting your password for more information. To view all your sign in options please see Your options to sign in to Sask Polytech and Changing your Sask Polytech multi-factor authentication sign-in options.