Net ID - Identity Management System
Net ID - Identity Management System
IRT uses a Network Identification System or "Net ID" for short, to manage UST accounts and passwords. Your Net ID allows you to access your email and other UST Computing Resources...
The Net ID system is an identity management system that provides a central resource for managing electronic accounts (or identities). Key benefits are increased self service functions and security. Click here to log into Net ID.
Net ID System Highlights
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Social Security Number is not required: You will no longer be required to provide your social security number for verification. The information that you provide to the Net ID system during setup is all that is required to verify your identity.
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Resetting Passwords: You have the ability to reset your password 24 hours a day over the web.
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Challenge Questions: If you forget your password, you can answer a series of challenge questions to reset your account.
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Faster Account Creation: The Net ID system allows us to decrease the time that it takes to create accounts after the HR New Employee Web Form is submitted.
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New Account Format: New UST accounts will be created using the format of the first four characters of the user’s last name followed by four random numbers. This change is necessary due to the large number of accounts UST maintains.
Note: Existing accounts will remain unchanged -
Claim Codes: When activating an account for the first time a claim code will be needed (a claim code will not be needed for existing accounts that transition from the current system to Net ID).
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Prospective students will receive the claim code from their admissions departments
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Faculty and staff may receive the claim code from their hiring manager, the HR department or IRT
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Registering 3rd party email address: Net ID will allow a registered non-UST email account to receive notifications when your account has been modified or when your Net ID password has been changed. This allows individuals who primarily use non-UST systems to monitor any changes that occur with their UST accounts.
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Email Alias for faculty and staff only: You will be able to create an email alias which is essentially a second email address. An alias is an alternate identifier that commonly follows a firstname.lastname@stthomas.edu convention, such as john.smith@stthomas.edu. This feature can be used to more clearly identify you in email, especially for those with new Net ID accounts using the format of first four characters of the user’s last name followed by four random numbers.
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Account Creation for Contractors and Guests: Faculty and Staff members now have the ability to immediately provide accounts to Contractors and Guests who need access to technology resources at UST. You will need to create or request a UST ID, then fill out the Request Account form to receive the new Net ID and Claim Code.
Net ID FAQs
What is a Net ID?
The Net ID (formerly UST username) is a unique identifier assigned to you which is used with your password to login to UST networks and resources. It is also the part of your UST email address that precedes @stthomas.edu.
What does the "Net ID" Identity Management (IDM) system do?
An Identity Management system allows the UST community access to multiple systems using one username (Net ID) and password. Simply put, individuals have a single Net ID and password to access the university systems they need and the system identifies when needs change, making the process faster and easier than ever before. The IDM system helps increase the security of your electronic identification.
The first systems to be integrated are: Active Directory, Exchange email, Sun Directory, Oracle Internet Directory. In Phase II IRT is looking to integrate Banner INB and Optix.
What are the benefits of the "Net ID" Identity Management system?
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It gives us the ability to set up an email alias
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One username and password for UST systems
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Automated workflows that manage accounts and security permissions
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We no longer need to use an SSN as a unique identifier in our systems
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Security improvements that reduce the risk of attacks
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Greater agility when new systems are added, updated or removed
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Reduce the need to call the IRT Tech Desk
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24/7 self service for forgotten passwords
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Satisfaction of current, and the ability to satisfy future, regulatory compliance requirements
Setting up Your Net ID Account
How do I receive a Net ID account if I am a new student/faculty/staff? Students
For students, the Net ID claim code to set up your account will be communicated to you by your admissions counselor. If you need additional assistance you may contact the IRT Tech Desk at (651) 962-6230 or IRTHelp@stthomas.edu.Faculty & Staff
Faculty and staff may receive the Net ID claim code to set up your account from their hiring manager, the HR department or IRT. If you need additional assistance you may contact the IRT Tech Desk at (651) 962-6230 or IRTHelp@stthomas.edu.
How do I set up a Net ID account if I am a new student/faculty/staff?
Follow these steps to set up a new Net ID account:
- From a web browser access www.stthomas.edu/new
- Enter your last name and the claim code provided to you by your admissions counselor (students) or hiring manager (faculty/staff).
- Create answers for the challenge questions listed- these will be used if you forget your password
Optional - Enter your 3rd party email address if you want account notifications about your UST account sent to a different email address.- Read and accept the Responsible Use of Computing Resources Policy.
- Create a password
- Faculty and Staff also have the option of creating an alias for their email account.
If I am currently a faculty/staff/student what do I need to do to set my Net ID account?
Current faculty, staff and students should login to and set up their accounts so that a Social Security Number will not have to be used for password changes. Current faculty, staff and students do not need a claim code.
Follow these steps to set up an existing account holders Net ID account:
- From a web browser access www.stthomas.edu/netid
- Enter your Net ID (UST Username) and your UST password
- If your password has expired you will be required to create a new one
- Create answers to the challenge questions – these will be used if you forget your password.
- You are welcome to make other changes to your Net ID if you like
What if I do not completely finish the Net ID account setup process or it is interrupted?
Just start the process again from the beginning. If you are unable to begin again you will need to contact the IRT Tech Desk for assistance at (651) 962-6230 or IRTHelp@stthomas.edu.. The claiming process only takes a few minutes to complete.
What if a current faculty, staff or student doesn’t go into Net ID?
Current faculty, staff and students will continue to have access to UST resources. If they do need assistance from the IRT Tech Desk they will be ask to provide their Social Security Number to verify their identity.
Who qualifies for a Net ID?
All active UST students, faculty, staff; and approved consultants qualify for a Net ID. Visitors or guests who require UST resources and are sponsored by a program or department also qualify for a Net ID.
How do consultants, visitors or guests who need access to UST resources get them?
To request a Net ID account for those individuals who by the nature of their relationship to UST do not have HR paperwork to complete but require access to resources will need have their hiring manager log into www.stthomas.edu/netid , select “Request Account”, then read and fill out the information requested.
Note: The person must be in Banner (UST’s System of Record) and their UST ID number is required to complete the form. Upon successful completion of the form a Net ID will be generated and displayed along with a claim code. The consultant, visitor or guest should then follow the new faculty/staff Net ID account claiming process.
What is a claim code; where do I get one?
The claim code is a five digit number that is used with your last name for the initial set up of your Net ID account. Your admissions coordinator or hiring manager will provide your claim code and instructions on claiming your account. The claim code is used one time only to activate your Net ID account. Only new faculty, staff and students require a claim code.
To activate/claim your account go to www.stthomas.edu/new.
What if I forget my claim code before I claim my Net ID account?
If you forget your claim code you will need to contact your admissions coordinator, hiring manager or the IRT Tech Desk at (651) 962-6230 or IRTHelp@stthomas.edu for assistance.
After I have claimed my Net ID account when will I have access to UST resources?
You should have access immediately to UST‘s online resources. However, if you are off campus it may take up to 30 minutes before you have access to email.
What UST resources will I have access to?
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Blackboard
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UST email account
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MyStorage folder
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UST networks
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The Sunray terminals in the Cyber Cafes
Passwords & Challenge Questions
Where do I go to change a password?
Go to www.stthomas.edu/netid, login with your Net ID and password and select the “Change Password” link.
What if I forget my password?
Go to www.stthomas.edu/netid enter you Net ID, select the “Forgot Your Password” button. This will take you through the challenge questions. Upon successfully answering three of your questions you will be able to change your password.
What if I use “Ctrl Alt Delete” to change my password?
It is ok to use “ctrl alt delete”. Your password change will propagate through the system.
What are the challenge questions used for?
The challenge questions are only used if you forget your password. They give you the flexibility of being able to change your password at anytime - 24/7. The challenge questions eliminate the need to contact the IRT Tech Desk to reset your password (especially helpful after hours when the tech desk is closed).
Can I change my challenge questions?
Yes - Go to www.stthomas.edu/netid, login with your Net ID and password and select the “Change Answers to Authentication Questions” link.
How were the Challenge questions chosen?
The vendor’s recommendations and experience with identity management were used to select the questions. The questions where chosen so they weren’t related to what could be found out about you by searching the web on sites such as Facebook or used else ware.
Can I share my Net ID and password?
No - Your Net ID is for your exclusive personal use. If someone had access to your Net ID and password they could access your grades, Blackboard, MyStorage folder and potentially see confidential information about you. He or she could read your email, and send email from your address pretending to be you. They could also commit computer crimes through your Net ID account, and you could be held responsible for any damages that result.
What are the rules for passwords?
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They expire every 120 days
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They must be at least 6 characters long
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They are required to include at least (1) uppercase letter, (1) lowercase letter and (1) number
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Passwords may not include a person’s first name, last name, Net ID, or the last 4 digits of a users Social Security number
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Passwords may not include spaces or any of these special characters: % * ; " ` # @ & --- \ ,
How do I make a strong password?
To make a strong password:
Choose at least 8 characters, including at least three of the following four character types.
Don't include any of these:
Should I write down my password?
No - If someone had access to your Net ID and password they could access your grades, Blackboard, MyStorage folder and see other confidential information about you. He or she could read your email, and send email from your address pretending to be you. They could also commit computer crimes through your Net ID account, and you could be held responsible for any damages that result.
What is an email alias?
Think of it as a second email address. An alias is an alternate identifier that commonly follows a firstname.lastname@stthomas.edu convention, such as john.smith@stthomas.edu. You can use it to more clearly identify yourself in email, especially if you feel that your smit1234@stthomas.edu address doesn't identify you to email senders. Both email addresses are valid and your emails go to the same email box. This option is available for faculty and staff.
Note: Your original email address will ALWAYS remain valid.
Caution: Think carefully before you create your alias. After you create an alias the option is locked and if you need to change it later the old alias can no longer receive emails.
How does an email alias affect my email service? What else should I know about an alias?
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For outgoing email – your alias will appear in the from line
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For incoming email – a sender may use either your alias or your original email address
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Your alias cannot be used by any one else, it is unique to your Net ID account
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Only lower case is used, uppercase letters will be converted to lowercase
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If you have set up an alias once and want to change it you will need to contact the IRT Tech Desk for assistance.
Caution: If you change your alias from john.smith@stthomas.edu to johnny.smith@stthomas.edu the old email alias will no longer receive email. Any emails from senders using an old email alias will not be delivered to the UST mail servers. Senders may only get an “unable to deliver” notification, what’s called a “bounce back” notification, with no further explanation.
What is the 3rd party email used for?
3rd party email will be used for notifications relating to your Net ID account.
Such as:
Where do I go to add or update a 3rd party email address?
Go to www.stthomas.edu/netid, login with your Net ID and password and select the “Modify Email Attributes” link. As a general rule Net IDs are not changed. The Net ID is a unique identifier used across multiple systems and it is a complex process to make changes. It can result in unforeseen interruptions to conducting your day to day business activities.
How am I affected by an Identity Management system?
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Increased use of one username and password for accessing UST systems
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Quicker creation of accounts for all UST systems
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Ability to reset a forgotten password over the Web by answering challenge questions
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You'll no longer need to use your Social Security Number to reset your password or when you call the IRT Tech Desk
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Faster service when student, faculty and staff need to change their access requirements
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Seamless access across integrated systems (with the goal of adding more systems in the future)
How are the new Net IDs (formerly UST Usernames) created and why did we change?
New Net IDs are created using 8 characters – “abcd1234”. The first 4 characters are the first 4 characters of your last name, the last 4 are random numeric characters.
Note: if you have fewer than 4 characters in your last name numeric characters are added to make a total of 8 characters.
Do to the increased number of accounts more and more people had numbers added to the end of their accounts and we needed to move to a format that worked for all users and one that the systems could handle.
Can I change my Net ID?
Net IDs are assigned based on system defined algorithms. If you feel the Net ID has been created in error, contact the IRT Tech Desk for assistance at (651) 962-6230 or IRTHelp@stthomas.edu.
My name has changed what should I do?
Faculty and staff have the option of creating or changing their alias. For students we do not offer an email alias. As a general rule Net IDs are not changed. The Net ID is a unique identifier used across multiple systems and it is a complex process to make changes. It can result in unforeseen interruptions to conducting your day to day business activities.
What if my relationship with UST changes from student to employee? What if I have multiple relationships with UST like student and employee?
The Identify Management system monitors all your relationships and allocates resources according to the active status of each relationship without service interruptions.
I am returning to UST, will I still have the same Net ID?
Yes - Your Net ID is part of your permanent record.
I didn’t find the answer to my question, who do I contact?
If you cannot find the answer to your question, you can contact the IRT Tech Desk at (651) 962-6230 or IRTHelp@stthomas.edu.
