Clerk computer passwords

barkeraj · #1

New STS as of two weeks ago.

Apparently no computers in the stake use passwords at the windows level, with clerks saying they have never heard they need to. Obviously it makes sense to have a password on the machine in addition to the MLS software, but is that explicitly stated anywhere?

It would be nice to be able to point someone to a specific requirement if they gripe that the extra step is annoying.

I can't see anything on the recent policies and guidelines from Aug 2009.

If passwords are required (or even if not) should there be one per user, or just a general one for the unit? Does that password need to get changed when any clerk/secretary/bishopric member rotates out?

Thanks

nbflint · #2

Our STS sets the windows password to the same thing on all of the stake's ward computers. The security, it seems, is in your key distribution for the clerks office.

#3

The setup instructions provide the Windows accounts, usernames, and passwords. There has been some speculation that with the release of MLS 3.3 that there may be a forthcoming change permitting multiple Windows user accounts since MLS no longer needs to be run from a Windows account with administrator rights.

As the STS your responsibilities are to ensure proper security of computers as outlined in the Policies and Guidelines for Computers Used by Clerks for Church Record Keeping, 18 Aug 2009, and in Handbook 1. You counsel with the stake president to determine the local policies and procedures to implement that responsibility.

aebrown · #4

BarkerAJ wrote:Apparently no computers in the stake use passwords at the windows level, with clerks saying they have never heard they need to. Obviously it makes sense to have a password on the machine in addition to the MLS software, but is that explicitly stated anywhere?

The Dell 740 installation instructions specify the requirement to have a Windows password. Although you may not have Dell 740s at this point, the basic requirement has not changed with the newer Dells.

barkeraj · #5

aebrown wrote:The Dell 740 installation instructions specify the requirement to have a Windows password. Although you may not have Dell 740s at this point, the basic requirement has not changed with the newer Dells.

There's the money quote/link. Thanks