Creating Your New 14-Character Passphrase

Overview

To improve our security posture and make your login experience easier, we are moving from complex passwords to long passphrases. As of February 28, 2026 the minimum requirement for all system passwords will be 14 characters.

Why 14 Characters?

While 14 characters sounds long, it is actually easier for you and harder for hackers. Long phrases are simpler for the human brain to remember than short, "random" strings like G3rm@nt0wn!.

The "No Spaces" Rule

Please note that our current systems do not support the use of spaces. To create a 14-character passphrase without spaces, we recommend using one of the following "Power-Typing" methods:

Recommended Methods

Method 1: The Dash (Recommended)

Use a hyphen or dash to separate your words. This makes the phrase easy to read and type.

  • Example: Orange-Truck-Moving-Fast
  • Length: 24 characters (Passes!)

Method 2: Camel Case

Capitalize the first letter of every word to create a clear separation without using a space.

  • Example: TheSkyIsBlueInTennessee
  • Length: 23 characters (Passes!)

Method 3: The Punctuation End

Use a common phrase or a line from a song and end it with a year or a symbol.

  • Example: I-Love-Coffee-2026!
  • Length: 19 characters (Passes!)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I still use symbols like # or !? A: Yes, symbols are allowed and encouraged, but they are not strictly required as long as your phrase is at least 14 characters long.

Q: Why did my password get rejected when I used a space? A: Our security directory currently treats a space as an "invalid character." Use a dash (-) or underscore (_) instead.

Q: How often will I have to change this? A: Because these 14-character passphrases are more secure, you will be required to change them less frequently than our previous 8-character passwords.

Need Assistance?

If you receive a "Complexity Error" or are unable to set your new passphrase:

  • Check the character count: Ensure it is at least 14.
  • Remove spaces: Ensure there are no spaces at the beginning, middle, or end.