Beginning on July 16, 2001, CIT will begin enforcing a minor change to RACF passwords, as a result of the auditors’ security recommendations. RACF passwords must have a minimum of six characters on all OS/390 systems—North, South and Titan (which currently have different minimums).
Your current RACF password (even if less than six characters) will still work after July 16. However, when your password expires, you will be required to enter a new one between six and eight characters long. RACF passwords expire every six months.
Guidelines for Passwords
As always, CIT recommends you select passwords carefully.
| o | Passwords should not be the same as login names or account/initials combinations. |
| o | Use a "mnemonic" password. Take a favorite saying or phrase and use the first letter of each word to create the password. |
| o | Do not use passwords with personal associations (e.g., phone numbers, license plates, proper names). |
| o | Devise passwords that consist of both letters and numbers. Take advantage of national characters (@#$), and embed them in your password. |
| o | Don’t use obvious sequences, such as simple keyboard strings—or any of these spelled backwards. |
| Interface Online 219 [ June 25, 2001 ] | Back | Index | Next |
