IdM FAQ

The DCSD Identity Management System consists of two main components. One automatically provisions (or generates and activates) user accounts and synchronize passwords across District managed applications. User accounts are generated in various district applications based on position that the employee occupies or the grade and school that the student is enrolled in. Rules have been automated so that accounts can be activated as soon as the employee begins work.

The second component validates user login attempts and provides Single Sign-On capability for a subset of those applications. It essentially asks the question “Who are you?” and then determines what the user should be allowed to access.

The Identity Management System is part of the technological foundation that will enable a collaborative online environment in the future. Because the system will be able to uniquely identify a user, the district is now in a position to provide user, school and department specific web content and collaboration tools.

How does Identity Management affect me?

The first impact to you is that you will have the same username and password for applications that are integrated into Identity Management. Applications that have been integrated in are listed below. Subsequent applications will be scheduled for integration based on the number of user accounts in the application.

The second impact is that both employees and students have a new way of changing their passwords for these applications. You will be able to change your password through a new Identity Management tool that will change your password in all of these applications.

The third impact to you is that you have the capability to reset your own password if you forget it. This is called Self-Service Password Reset. In order to use this service, you must first setup security phrases and responses.

What is Single Sign-On (SSO)?

When you log into any DCSD SSO application, you will be logged into all of the DCSD SSO applications. For example, if you log into set up your profile or change your password and then try to access Employee White Pages (district phone book), you will not be asked to sign in again for White Pages. The same is true for logout. If you logout of one Single Sign-On application, you will be logged out of all of the Single Sign-On applications. Not all Identity Management applications are SSO applications.

SSO applications for Phase 1 are:

District Portal
SCORE
CASSI
Employee White Pages - My Profile

SSO applications for subsequent Phases will be communicated to you as information becomes available. The decision to make an application SSO is made jointly between the Application Owner responsible for maintaining the application, and the Business Owner or primary users of the system.

What is White Pages?

Employee White Pages is a real-time phone book for all district employees. Phone numbers are updated in the White Pages as soon as a phone extension is assigned or updated for an employee. Employees can login and search for individuals or get lists of all employees at a location. The link is on the Staff Central page of the District website under DCSD Links. It is called “Employee White Pages Phonebook.”

Which applications are affected by the change password process?

When you change your password through the DCSD Identity Management System, you will be updating your password in all DCSD Identity Management target applications. Security measures will prevent you from storing or saving your password in any of these systems.

Infinite Campus
First Class
District Portal
Active Directory
Home folders for all employees and students
Self-Service Reporting (Report Manager)
SCORE (Balanced Scorecard)
CASSI
AppTrack
Web Help Desk
School Center
eBenefits
WINS

Which applications can students access?

All K-12 students are given a Portal account in Infinite Campus, a network login in order to access district resources, and a /home folder to store their portfolios. Student account usernames are generated based on the student’s legal name as defined in Infinite Campus.

Which username should I use to login?

Usernames (or accounts) are generated based on the employee or student’s legal name, including first, middle and last. If necessary for uniqueness, a sequence number will be added onto the end. User names cannot be changed unless there is a legal name change. Once a legal name change is entered into either the HR system or the Infinite Campus system, the user name will change automatically. Students should contact their school CRT for their login, employees should contact Application Support at x70001.

How do I change my password?

Employees use the "Change my Password" link on the Staff Central page of the District website. Students use the “Student Password Change” link on the Parents & Student Central page of the District website. Both employees and students can also change their password through Infinite Campus or through the Desktop. The first time you attempt to change your password, you will be asked to set up your security systems.

What is a strong password?

A strong password is one that is less susceptible to being guessed. It is more secure. Such passwords consist of at least eight characters, and contain at least one number or special character. Avoid using dictionary words, any part of your name or username, personal information about yourself that can be obtained by an internet search, etc. The easiest way to construct a strong password is to create a phrase and use the first letter of each word, then incorporate mixed case and special characters.

This DCSD Identity Management system will require you to use at least eight characters, one of which must be a number. However, it is advisable to use a much stronger sequence of characters.

What are security questions?

Security questions are questions about yourself that only you should know the answer to. They are used to verify that you are who your userid says you are. Security questions should be set up when you are given access to the system. You must select five questions and provide answers to them ahead of time. Then, when you need to reset your password, the system will randomly ask you three of your pre-selected questions. If you answer them correctly you will be allowed to change your password and / or change your profile.

What happens if my account has been locked?

After 10 failed login attempts your accounts will be locked (Infinite Campus will lock after 6 attempts.) This is a security mechanism to prevent your account from being compromised by a program or hacker repeatedly trying different combinations of passwords. You can unlock your own account by selecting a new password on the Self-Service Password Reset. Your account can also be unlocked by a CRT or a support technician.

How do I register for self-service password reset?

To register for self-service password reset, setup your security questions and responses. Every time you login, you will be given the chance to set these up. To manually set them up, log into "My Profile."

Click the My Profile link.
Click the Modify button.
Locate the Security-Response pairs under Password Management.
For each security phrase, provide a response. You must setup all of the security-response pairs. For the initial setup, leave the Old Response blank. Once you have setup your security phrases and responses, you cannot change the phrases, or the order of the phrases. In other words, once the initial setup is completed, you can change what the responses are, but cannot choose different phrases.
Click the Save button.

Should you forget your password, you can now use the "I forgot my password" link, which will ask you for the answers to the security phrases you setup.

What if I forgot my password?

If you have setup your security questions and answers, first try the "I forgot my password" link. You will be prompted to answer your security questions and if answered correctly, you will be given a chance to reset your password.

If you have not setup your security questions, or you have any problems answering your security questions, please contact Application Support (employees) or your CRT (students). They will be able to reset your password. When you log on after your password has been reset for you, you will be prompted to change it.

What if I can't remember the answers to my security questions?

If you cannot remember the answers to your security questions, please contact the Application Support Team at extension 7-0001. They will be able to reset both your password and security responses. You will then be advised to log into "My Profile" so you can setup your security responses again.