Upcoming NetID Password Resets—What to Expect Beginning April 1

Beginning April 1, Northwestern IT is moving up the NetID password reset process for members of the Northwestern community, with the goal of having all NetID passwords updated by June 1, 2026.

This phased reset is part of Northwestern’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the University’s security posture and protect our community, systems, and data. As outlined in our recent Staying Secure Together update, cyberthreats targeting higher education continue to increase in scale and sophistication, making strong, up-to-date passwords or passphrases a critical line of defense. The accelerated reset process builds on these recent security enhancements and reflects our commitment to proactively reducing risk across the University.

Most people—the process excludes those who have reset their password as recently as early March—will experience this process through a series of reminders prompting them to update their NetID password. Taking action early will help avoid disruptions and ensure continued access to University services.

What to Expect

The NetID password reset process will follow a structured sequence of communications from the Northwestern IT Service Desk and actions, including an Initial Notice with a Deadline, a First Reminder, and a Final Reminder. After each user-specific deadline passes, if you have not updated your password, you will lose access to NetID-authenticated University services and resources. Users will have approximately three weeks to make the update once they receive the initial notice.

We encourage everyone to reset their NetID passwords as soon as they receive notice to help ensure uninterrupted access and to support the University’s shared responsibility for cybersecurity.

Details on Changing Your Password

• Users can also update their password now. Change your password anytime by following the steps in this Knowledge Base article: Changing Your NetID Password.
• Note that we have recently strengthened the requirements for University passwords.
  • It now must be at least 16 characters long.
  • It should be a strong, unique password or a long, complex passphrase.
• The process should take about five minutes. However, be aware that it can take up to 60 minutes for changes to propagate through all systems.
• If you attempt to log into a system and cannot, please wait a little longer. Five failed password attempts result in a 30-minute lockout.
• Consider using a password manager tool, such as 1Password. The tool can store your passwords so that you don’t need to remember them and generate them for you. The application can also monitor your passwords to see if they appear on lists of compromised credentials, helping you know when you need to change your password.

Support

If you need help, contact the IT Service Desk at 847-491-4357 (1-HELP) or consultant@northwestern.edu. Users can also visit the Northwestern IT website to learn more about protecting your information and identity.