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Password Issue – At my wits end!

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How do I convince a user that writing the password on a post it note and sticking it on the screen is not a good idea? We have a number of systems that can be accessed by all employees. In an attempt to keep it simple, I use the building security password. When I tell her how much potential damage posting this password can do, she says “This is YOUR thing” like it’s just one of my quirks. (I have plently, this isn’t one of them)
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Clarifications

In reply to Password Issue – At my wits end!

Clarifications

In view of the inevitable dangers associated with this…

In reply to Password Issue – At my wits end!

I would take the ‘corporate’ line by circumventing her irresponsibility and report her actions to her manager. In doing so I would make it unmistakably clear that you are taking this action in order to assuage all and any responsibility for any security ramifications that might arise – such as unauthorised access and such.

Having taken this line you will avoid any possible backlash and pass the responsibility onto HER manager, which might have just the right effect.

Took it to management

In reply to In view of the inevitable dangers associated with this…

I did take this to management. To their credit, there was no agrument. It’s so frustrating to have her imply that this was no big deal and more my problem (“This is just YOUR thing” she actually told me) on one hand, but when I asked her if she gives out her ATM PIN number, she said “That’s different.”

Your Fix

In reply to Password Issue – At my wits end!

Make the user change his/her password daily.

We don’t allow that, period.

In reply to Password Issue – At my wits end!

Our security folks do periodic ‘desk audits’ looking for password post-its and people get written up for it. They search all over the desk, under the keyboard, and top desk drawers.

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