The Active Directory (AD) Project

IT Services is undertaking a major overhaul of the University IT infrastructure. This is part of the continuing work we are undertaking to make the IT infrastructure even more robust and reliable for you to use. The work involves changing the way we authenticate you as a valid user (username & password). In June IT services wrote an email to staff outlining the project. We are now getting close to rolling out the system. In order to proceed we require that everyone changes their login password.

Can we first remind you that passwords should never be e-mailed. We never email asking for passwords – such emails are fake “Phishing Scams”. Like this email – any official correspondence will follow the University’s Welsh-English bilingual policy.

ANY EMAIL SENT TO YOU REQUESTING YOU TO LOGIN / UPDATE YOUR DETAILS ETC. WHICH IS NOT WRITTEN FIRST IN WELSH IS FAKE. DO NOT RESPOND OR FOLLOW ANY LINKS WITHIN SUCH EMAIL.

Why do we need a new password for Active Directory?

Active directory has strict rules to ensure that passwords are more secure. Setting a new password will also create your new user record in this system that adheres to these rules. External auditing of the University has also stressed the need for more secure passwords. We need to do this to comply with this audit process.

What will I need to do?

DO NOT email us any passwords or personal details. Follow the instructions below – note that these direct you to a secure Bangor web page. It is very important that you change your password as soon as possible as it will not be possible for you to be moved to the Active Directory system until you have done so. Please go to the web page below (you will be prompted for your current Bangor username and password).

https://www.bangor.ac.uk/itservices/user/
Then click the link entitled ‘Your Password’

Follow the instructions on this page to change your password. Note the strict rules (outlined on the web page) for what your password must contain. When you have chosen a suitable password click the submit password button and the system will initiate the process. For most systems the change is instant – others such as email may take up to 30min. We therefore recommend that you do this password change immediately before leaving work. This gives plenty of time for changes to take place before you need to use your account again.

If you use any PDAs (Blackberry’s etc) to access Bangor systems (such as email) then you may need to make changes to their settings reflecting the password change too. You will also need to do this for email systems you use to access your email from home. Normally this is just a case of supplying the new password when prompted. If in doubt then please contact the IT Helpdesk on X8111.

What will I need to do next?

We are committed to making this change as seamless as possible. We have liaised extensively with Computer Support staff in Colleges/Departments, and keep them fully up to date with plans and progress. Automated processes will automatically change your access to AD. Further bulletins will be issued at a later date; these will outline how and when the process will take place.

IT Services February 2009.