---
title: "Password Rules"
type: "wiki"
space: "IT Services"
author: "Jennifer Kim"
created: 2021-09-24T18:03:59Z
updated: 2026-05-01T16:37:16Z
tags: ["its-services", "myid-self-service"]
url: "https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/186/it-services/wiki/view/983/password-rules"
---

# Password Rules

**Your Seneca password must be strong, unique, and meet security rules to keep your account safe.** A strong password helps protect your personal information, email, and Seneca systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Your Seneca password must include:

- **Minimum of 12 characters long.**
- A mix of **3 of these 4 types**:
    - Uppercase letters \(A–Z\)
    - Lowercase letters \(a–z\)
    - Numbers \(0–9\)
    - Symbols \(e.g., ! @ # $ %\)
- **Must not include**:
    - Your username \(forwards or backwards\)
    - Common patterns \(e.g., 12345, qwerty\)
    - Common or guessable words \(e.g., *Seneca*, *letmein*\)
- You **cannot re-use** your last **24 passwords**.
- You **can only change your password once every 24 hour**.

### Tips for creating a strong password

- Make it **hard for others to guess**, but **easy for you to remember**
- Avoid:
    - Dictionary words
    - Names of people, places, or celebrities
- Try using:
    - A phrase from a song or saying, with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
- **Use different passwords** for different websites and services https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/185/it-security/wiki/view/964/passwords
- Consider using a **password manager** to securely store your passwords

### Resources

- [IT Security on Passwords](https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/185/it-security/wiki/view/964/passwords)