June 1: Reminder: Authentication system shutdown scheduled for today - 6:30 p.m.

To: Graduate students at the University of Waterloo

From: Jacinda Reitsma, Vice-President, Administration and Finance

Date: Thursday, June 1, 2023

Subject: Reminder: Authentication system shutdown scheduled for today - 6:30 p.m.

Reminder: Authentication system shutdown scheduled for today - 6:30 p.m.

June 1, 2023

• Online systems will experience scheduled downtime tonight (June 1) at 6:30 p.m.
• You will be required to change your WatIAM password and will receive an email tomorrow (June 2) with instructions

I want to remind you that a scheduled system shutdown will take place tonight (Thursday, June 1) at 6:30 p.m., with an estimated outage time of two to six hours.
 
This means you will not be able to use your WatIAM credentials to sign into systems that require a login. If you are already logged into applications prior to the shutdown, such as wi-fi, Waterloo LEARN, Quest, campus and lab computers, online library services, Workday, Eduroam, and your Microsoft 365 (including email), you may not experience any downtime. 
 
You will be required to create a new WatIAM password starting tomorrow. Please do not attempt to change your password before you receive another email tomorrow morning that will prompt you, as it must be changed once the authentication system is restored. 
 
You will receive an email tomorrow, Friday, June 2, with instructions on how to update your password.
 
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the IST team who have been exceptional in their swift handling of this breach.
 
If you have any questions, please see FAQs on the IST website for more information or reach out to helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca.
 

Jacinda Reitsma
Vice-President, Administration and Finance
Office of the Vice-President, Administration and Finance