Summary (what you get)
All HWS employees are issued credentials to access the Colleges' network, technology infrastructure, or electronic resources as defined in the Acceptable Use Policy.
Services include
HWS credentials include a username and password.
Passwords are an essential aspect of the security of the Colleges’ Electronic Resources and they provide an important first line of protection for the Electronic Resources, Institutional Data, and intellectual property that resides at the Colleges. Having a strong password is one way that each User can contribute to the community’s overall security. Strong passwords help the Colleges prevent unauthorized or inappropriate access to various Electronic Resources like email accounts, online library resources, student information systems, financial records, file repositories, learning management systems, and administrative/transactional systems.
Some HWS systems have an additional layer of security, multi-factor authentication (MFA), which provides an additional layer of security by requiring additional credentials, like a PIN or answering a challenge question, beyond providing your username and password.
When you receive it
HWS credentials are provided through the Office of Human Resources (HR) to new employees. The initial password issued is temporary and will expire within 30 days. You can change your password by going to https://myaccount.hws.edu.
When you log into the system for the first time, you will need to update the following information:
- Knowledge Based Questions – these are security questions that help the system confirm your identity if you've forgotten your password and need to reset it.
- Recovery E-mail - this is an e-mail address, other than your HWS e-mail, that provides an alternate method for the system to confirm your identity.
The system will be automatically populated with a mobile phone number, for an additional way to confirm your identity, if you've provided it in PeopleSoft. For help updating your information in myaccount.hws.edu see the password reset and account set-up knowledge base article under related articles on the right.
Related information
All Users are expected to adhere to the following guidelines regarding their password:
- Never write your password down or store it electronically
- Avoid using repetitive or sequential passwords
- Change your password when notified to do so. Each time you reset your password, it will remain active for 365 days
- Avoid constructing a password with any full word from any dictionary or a name.
Failure to comply with this Supporting Policy may result in actions as specified in the Acceptable Use Policy.
Where/how to request this service
If your password is expired or forgotten you can go to https://myaccount.hws.edu to reset it. If you do not have a recovery e-mail, forgotten your knowledge questions, or have not previously registered at https://myaccount.hws.edu contact the IT Services Help Desk using the Request Password Assistance button in the upper right.