Empowering users to reset their own passwords without contacting the IT help desk is one of the most effective ways to reduce operational costs, boost user productivity, and free up IT teams for strategic work. Fixiam, as an Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution, fully automates this process through its Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) feature.
By implementing SSPR via Fixiam, you empower users while maintaining strict security controls, ensuring that only the rightful identity can change the password.
The Problem: Lost Productivity and IT Burden
In a nonautomated environment, a forgotten password means a user is locked out and cannot work until IT manually verifies their identity and resets the account. This leads to downtime for the employee and wastes valuable time for the IT support staff. Password reset tickets typically make up a large percentage of IT support workloads, consuming resources that could be better spent on strategic initiatives.
Fixiam solves this by putting the control directly into the user’s hands while securing the process with strong identity verification.
How Fixiam Automates Password Reset
Fixiam integrates self service password reset (SSPR) into the core identity lifecycle, providing a secure and seamless path for users to regain access. The process is entirely automated and governed by rules you define.
- Identity Verification Challenge: When a user clicks "Forgot Password," Fixiam initiates a multifactor challenge. Users must successfully verify their identity using a second factor they have pre registered.
- Secure MFA Options: Verification options can include:
- Answering pre set security questions.
- Receiving a one time password (OTP) via email or text message.
- Passing a biometric scan (if biometric MFA is enabled for SSPR).
- Instant Reset: Upon successful verification, the user is immediately prompted to choose a new password that complies with the centralized password policy defined in Fixiam.
Centralized Policy Enforcement
Fixiam's SSPR is not just about convenience; it is about consistent security. When a user resets a password, the system automatically enforces the corporate password policy.
- Unified Password Policy: Fixiam enforces your organization’s password requirements across all connected applications and systems.
- Preventing Reuse: Fixiam automatically prevents users from reusing old or recently used passwords, eliminating a major security risk often bypassed with manual resets.
Enhancing Security with Strong Verification
The security of SSPR depends entirely on the strength of the verification method. Fixiam ensures that convenience does not compromise protection.
- MFA Mandate: You can mandate that users must complete a strong Multi Factor Authentication check during the reset process. This prevents malicious actors who may have stolen a username from taking over the account simply by answering a weak security question.
- Real Time Auditing: Every single SSPR event, whether successful or failed, is logged in Fixiam's audit trail. This transparency allows security teams to monitor for potential abuse or brute force attempts in real time.
By automating SSPR, Fixiam transforms password management from a costly, labor intensive problem into a streamlined, secure, and user friendly experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Fixiam's SSPR feature secure?
Yes, SSPR with Fixiam is highly secure because it enforces Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) during the reset process, ensuring that the user is the rightful identity before a password change is allowed.
2. What security checks can users choose for verification?
Users can typically verify their identity using preset security questions, a one time password (OTP) sent to a registered email or number, or biometric checks.
3. Does SSPR work for all my applications?
Yes, because Fixiam is a central Identity Provider (IdP), the password reset affects the user's core identity, which is synchronized across all integrated applications using Single Sign On (SSO).
4. How does SSPR reduce IT costs?
It drastically reduces the volume of password related tickets sent to the help desk, freeing up IT staff time and lowering operational support expenses.
5. What happens if a user forgets their MFA enrollment?
In cases where a user has forgotten both their password and their MFA method, IT administrators can still perform a secure, verified override via the Fixiam IAM console.