Patriot Only One Password

By News Editor Sonya Hudson

George Mason University’s new Patriot Pass system provides a more secure log in password , a strong password, that is difficult to “hack.”

The Patriot Pass system also provides the convenience of having the same username and password used on multiple Mason online systems.

Patriot Pass is Mason’s response to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s mandates to increase the security of online networks used by state agencies. It uses a password with a minimum of eight characters and three character types and has to be reset every 180 days.

The first systems to use Patriot Pass are Mason Enterprise Services Architecture and Mason e-mail. MESA users will be required to switch to Patriot Pass when their current MESA password expires, which went into effect Jan. 12.

Once switched to Patriot Pass, which can be accomplished by visiting the password management website, password.gmu.edu, their username and password for MESA, Mason e-mail, blackboard and a multitude of other computer systems will be synchronized.

Mason e-mail users without a MESA account are encouraged to switch to Patriot Pass, though switching is not yet a requirement.

During the initial sign up for Patriot Pass, at least four password challenge questions must be answered. These questions must be re-answered if the password is forgotten.

Mason will continue to make improvements to the security of its online systems in the coming months, and more computer systems will use Patriot Pass for access.

For more information on Patriot Pass and strong passwords, visit strongpassword.gmu.edu.

According to the website, strongpassword.gmu.edu, the way to keep your password safe is to follow these suggestions:

• If you have to write your password down, do not store it on (or under) your computer.

• Change your password regularly.

• If you suspect that someone else might have guessed your password, change your password immediately.