Cloud users expect self-service password reset (SSPR) capabilities when they use Web portals, mobile apps, and other cloud-first applications. Why shouldn’t IBM i users also expect SSPR convenience?
Unfortunately, there are no native self-service password reset capabilities for IBM i users unless you license a third-party package such as iSecurity Password Reset. While the organizational benefits of IBM i SSPR are well documented, it’s less clear what the user experience will be when IBM i users start employing automated password resets.
Here’s what IBM i self-service password reset looks like for the average user and how they benefit from SSPR technology.
Immediacy, convenience, consolidation, and security
IBM i self-service password reset solutions enhance user satisfaction, productivity, and security. Your users will realize the following benefits when your organization implements an IBM i SSPR solution like iSecurity Password Reset.
- Immediacy: Reduced user downtime and increased productivity
- Convenience: Passwords can be reset from anywhere
- Consolidation: Centralized password resets for multiple IBM i systems
- Security: Improved protection against phishing and unauthorized user resets
Here are the benefits your users will realize after you implement a password reset system.
Immediacy: Reduced user downtime and increased productivity
For many organizations, manual password resets require Help Desk or administrative support. The user cannot access the system—servicing customers and performing critical job duties—until a technician helps them reset their password. Support availability can delay password resets anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on current support needs, time of day, and whether the reset is needed on a weekend or holiday.
IBM i SSPR solutions eliminate service delays and downtime when changing a forgotten password or re-enabling a locked user profile. They eliminate user frustration and prevent customer service and production delays. Users will quickly be able to get back to working without waiting for help. Password resets will be available 24/7/365, including weekends, nights, and holidays.
Convenience: Passwords can be reset from anywhere
IBM i password resets will be convenient. Users can reset their passwords using several different authentication and change mechanisms. Passwords can be reset from 5250 green-screen login screens, by using an IBM i Web portal, or by using a mobile app on a cell phone or tablet. They can reset their passwords using their device or application of choice.
For users who are having difficulty using automated self-service password reset mechanisms, solutions like iSecurity Password Reset offer assisted password resets where a Help Desk operator verifies their identities before enabling them to change their passwords.
Consolidation: Centralized password resets for multiple systems
Self-service password reset solutions will be a welcome change for users needing access to several IBM i systems. Users who login to multiple systems—including production, quality control, credit card processing, test systems, and web server IBM i partitions—may have to reset each password several times a year.
An IBM i SSPR solution can consolidate multi-system password changes, allowing users to apply a single password reset change once and have it applied to several user profiles on different partitions. It will save users time and frustration by reducing the number of password resets needed each year.
Security: Improved protection against phishing and unauthorized user access
Providing self-service password resets protects against phishing attacks and unauthorized users changing IBM i passwords.
SSPR almost eliminates IT personnel from password resets. Eliminating support personnel significantly reduces phishing attacks where bad actors attempt to trick Help Desk personnel into enabling unauthorized password resets. Most password resets will occur without contacting IT or Help Desk personnel.
In instances when users still contact IT administrators or the Help Desk for password resets, support personnel may still verify the user’s identity through pre-defined verification factors before authorizing a password reset.
IBM i SSPR solutions such as iSecurity Password Reset can require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for password resets. They can be configured to add MFA verification for any user attempting a reset, providing another layer of security against bad actors attempting to change a password.
Learn more about IBM i Self-Service Password Reset
Enabling IBM i self-service password resets enhance user satisfaction, productivity and security. It reduces password frustration, decreases user downtime, and increases security against unintended password disclosure.
Several vendors provide IBM i self-service password reset software, including SEA with the iSecurity Password Reset solution. If you’d like to learn more about IBM i SSPR solutions, please contact us at SEA. We’ll be glad to discuss your IBM i SSPR needs and demonstrate how you can significantly reduce password reset support costs, improve security, and increase user satisfaction.
