In the following situations:
Forgot Username - If you forgot your campus username, go to the CSUSM campus homepage and use the search box in the top part of the page. Type in your name then hit enter, and a box appears (“Departments and People”) with your name and your campus username.
Forgot Password If you are unable to log in and have your username, please go to Change Password and click on Forgot Your Password. You will be asked to enter your username, and then answer your security questions.
If you don't remember your security questions, please fill out our online Password Reset Form, and we will respond with a temporary password and instructions on what to do next.
NOTE: The password we set for you is temporary. You will need to set your password to a
permanent one at Change Password Make sure to answer at least 3 of the security questions as
you change your password so you have access to reset your password in the future.
Fac/Staff - NEW ACCOUNT LOCKOUT PROCEDURES & Frequently Asked Questions:
The campus has changed "your computer is locked" policy due to the number of unsuccesful attemps to login. A new "soft-lock" policy has been introduced in order to reduce the numbe rof lockout attacks we've been seeing for the past few months. This change has been approved by the CISO.
The new policy will look like the following:
It is important to read information on steps to change your password. Enrollment is required in order to setup the self service reset challenge questions whereby you can change you own password immediately.
How Will I Know When It's Time to Change My Password? You will receive email warnings before your password expires. These warnings will be sent on the following days:
What Makes a Valid Password?
All passwords must have the following to be valid:
There are a number of good schemes for creating valid passwords. You can use a word, but substitute numbers for some of the letters. (Example password: Spiderman becomes Sp1d2rm3n). Special characters are allowed in passwords: ~!@#$%^&*_-+=`|(){}[]:;”‘<>,.?/
Programs Affected by Password Change
Why Should I Change My Password, and Where Do I Change It?
We have an obligation to protect information stored on our computer systems from unauthorized
access. We require all Faculty and Staff members to change their password every 12
weeks (84 days). All passwords must be at least eight characters in length and no
more than 18. It must contain at least one lower case, upper case letter and a number.
You must avoid passwords that have 5 consecutive characters from your old password.
What Will Happen If I Don't Change My Password Before It Expires?
If you still have not changed your password by the third warning, your account will
be disabled -- you will not be able to log into your computer, your email, my.csusm.edu,
and other systems or items you need to do your job. You will not lose any data if
this happens, but you will be unable to log in again if you previously enrolled and
filled out the challenge questions form. Otherwise, contact the Faculty/Staff Help Desk with a photo ID. They will not be able to tell you your former password, but they
will be able to assign you a new temporary one. To protect anyone other than yourself
from accessing your grade rosters and e-mail, the Help Desk cannot reset your password
by phone unless they know you personally. Nor can they reset your password by email.
The Help Desk can work through your Support Staff Member to verify who you are (over
the telephone if we know that person by voice), but the password will be given to
your Support Staff Member to give to you.
Can I Share My Password?
No. Sharing passwords is a violation of the Computer Equipment Access Policy. By
sharing your password with anyone, you are giving that person access to your email,
my.csusm.edu, and other confidential resources to which you have been granted access.
