Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are essential for protecting your GVSU and personal data. Our goal is to help you create strong passwords and make the process of managing them less burdensome.

At GVSU, we utilize Single Sign-On (SSO), which simplifies the login process by allowing you to use a single username and password for multiple websites and applications. This reduces the need to remember different login credentials for each service. However, some applications may still require unique usernames and passwords. Where possible, we allow the use of the same password to ease this process.

Check out Password Creation Do’s and Don'ts for more guidance.

Password Rule Set for Faculty & Staff Network Accounts

Due to increased cybercrime, phishing, and malware, IT is improving the security of GVSU passwords by increasing the minimum required number of characters to 12. Upon receiving notice that your password is going to expire, you will be required to change your password according to the rules below.

Your password will require:

• Password length between 12 and 50 characters

• Contains:

  • Uppercase letter(s)

  • Lowercase letter(s)

  • Number(s)

• Recommended, but not required:

  • Special characters allowed: ~ % ^ * _ -  | { } [ ] : ' .

• Cannot contain:

  • Part of your username

  • Part of your first name

  • Part of your last name

• DO NOT use Spaces

• Passphrases are recommended, see Setting Strong Passwords

• Your new password will need to be reset every 18 months

NOTE: If you have a mobile device that accesses email and/or WiFi (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android smartphone, personal computer, etc.), please be aware that the password must be changed on that device as well (possibly in two places: email and WiFi). If you do not change the password on the mobile device, it may lock you out of your account.