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Screen Locking Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set a minimum standard for protecting our computers with password protected screen savers. The screen saver logs out an active user after a set amount of time with no activity. By requiring a user to sign in when they return, it minimizes the risk of an unauthorized person using an active session while the authorized user is away. A password-enabled screen saver helps to protect the information displayed on your screen, stored on your computer's hard drive, and the information that is accessible from your computer when you walk away from the computer.

Policy

All computers shall be configured to have a password-enabled screen saver. This security lockout feature shall automatically initiate after the computer remains idle from user interaction after a predefined time period. The user must then reenter their password to gain access to the computer. The general best practice for enabling automatic lockout of a screen saver is to set the timeout so that it can provide adequate security and not be inconvenient to the user.

SCCS has a set the standard for screen lock out with this policy which is 15 minutes. Exceptions must be approved in writing by the Computer Security Officer at security@slac.stanford.edu.

For Windows: You can press the Windows key (ÿ) and L keys simultaneously on most keyboards to enable the screen saver. On other keyboards you will need to press Control-Alt-Delete and select "lock computer."

For Unix: Password-protected screen savers are provided by Gnome, KDE (Linux) and CDE (Solaris) desktop environments. For other desktops you can use xscreensaver. Visit the Unix Screen Locking web page for instructions on activating and configuring these screen savers.

If you need help, please contact your departmental computing support person.