Washington Center

Password Policy

Your password is an important part of the security of your UCDC user account. An easy to guess password  puts you and your data at risk. With a cracked password, malicious actors can steal or control your data and even your online identity. Below are minimum standards that UCDC uses for creating your password.

  1. Passwords must contain a minimum of 8 characters and include, at least, one character from each category below:
    • Uppercase letters (A - Z)
    • lowercase letters (a - z)
    • Base 10 digits (0 - 9)
    • Non-alphanumeric (!, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, (, ), -, +, <, > or ?)
  2. Passwords must be complex and not easy to guess or obtain.
    • We recommend that you use a passphrase (for example, "!Love_D0g$")
    • Passwords based on items prominently featured on your social media presence are easily guessable and not secure. By the same token, the password example "!Love_D0g$" in the previous line is not a good password to use with a UCDC account.
    • Do not include three or more consecutive characters from your user name
  3. Passwords must be changed every 180 calendar days.
  4. You cannot change your password to any of the past 10 passwords you have used.
  5. If you incorrectly enter your password more than 3 times, your account will be locked for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes of inactivity, your account will be automatically unlocked. You may reset your password at any time by going to Password Management Portal. For more information about unlocking your account go to Unlock My Account.
  6. Your initial password and any password reset by the UCDC IT unit must be changed upon your first logon.
  7. If you do not use your password in 90 calendar days, your account will be considered inactive and will be expired. You will need to request a new user account from the UCDC IT unit at itsupport@ucdc.edu.