Password security
Faculty, staff, and administrators have access to IT systems at NOVA and through the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). To request IT accounts, you must use the official NOVA form 105-45: IT Accounts and Services Form and obtain the required signatures. You can find this form on the Forms site of the NOVA web site. Once you have received your accounts, you will need to create and use secure passwords for both your NOVA and VCCS systems. Your NOVA and VCCS usernames and passwords are different.
NOVA faculty, staff, and administrators have both NOVA and VCCS accounts to access a variety of systems available for use. You are responsible for your NOVA and VCCS accounts and anything that happens with your account. Make sure your password is secure, so your account cannot be used for illegal purposes.
NOVA passwords have the following requirements:
- MUST NOT contain all or part of the user’s account
- MUST be at least 8 characters in length
- MUST contain characters from 3 of the following four categories:
- English uppercase characters (A through Z)
- English lowercase characters (a through z)
- Base 10 digits (0 through 9)
- Non-alphanumeric characters (e.g.,!, $ #, %)
- Do not use real words.
- Do not use family names or place names.
- NOVA requires password change every 90 days.
VCCS passwords have the following requirements:
- MUST NOT contain all or part of the user's account name
- MUST be at least 7 characters in length but not more than 10
- MUST contain at least one English uppercase letter (A through Z)
- MUST contain at least one English lower case letter (a through z)
- MUST contain at least one base number (0 through 9)
- MUST NOT contain any non-alphanumeric characters (e.g.,!, $ #, %)
- Do not use real words.
- Do not use family names or place names.
- Password changes are made regularly.
Once you have established a secure password, keep your password secret. Do not share your password with others. Do not write down your password and keep it near the computer.