Overview
Dakota State University (DSU) Information Technology Services (ITS) monitors university account activity for unusual or suspicious behavior. If potentially malicious or unauthorized access is detected, ITS may disable the affected account to protect university systems and information.
When an account is disabled, ITS creates a support ticket in TeamDynamix (TDX) and sends a notification to the user's secondary email address. For faculty and staff, the user's dean or department head may also be notified. The support ticket identifies the reason the account was disabled.
This article explains the most common reasons an account may be disabled and the steps required to restore access.
Applies To
Users: DSU students, faculty, and staff
Service: DSU university accounts
Issue: Account disabled due to unauthorized access, compromised credentials, or unauthorized international travel
Before You Begin
If your DSU account has been disabled:
- Check your secondary email account for a notification from ITS.
- Review the support ticket to identify why your account was disabled.
- Follow the instructions for your account-disable reason below.
Important: A disabled account cannot be restored through normal sign-in attempts. You must complete the required steps and work with ITS to have access restored.
Instructions
Select the reason listed in your ITS support ticket to view the steps required to restore your account.
Account Disabled — Compromised Credentials
Why Your Account Was Disabled
Compromised credentials occur when someone other than you obtains your account sign-in information.
Multifactor authentication (MFA) normally helps prevent unauthorized access, even when a password has been compromised. However, there are situations where an unauthorized person may still gain access.
If ITS determines that an unauthorized person has signed in to your account, ITS disables the account and revokes active sessions to prevent continued access.
Note: If your credentials were compromised but no unauthorized sign-in occurred, ITS may require a password reset without disabling your account.
Restore Your Account
- Visit or contact the DSU Support Desk. Explain that your account was disabled because of compromised credentials.
- Verify your identity. ITS will confirm your identity before proceeding with account recovery.
- Reset your password. ITS will send you a password reset link. Follow the instructions provided to create a new password.
- Notify ITS. Let ITS know when you have completed the password reset.
- Wait for account restoration. ITS will re-enable your account after the required recovery steps are completed.
Account Disabled — Unauthorized International Travel (Faculty and Staff)
Why Your Account Was Disabled
DSU requires international travel to be authorized according to the university's International Travel and Technology Policy.
If faculty or staff travel internationally without the required authorization, their DSU account will be disabled. Their dean or department head may also be included in communications about the account.
Important: Accounts disabled due to unauthorized international travel remain disabled until the user returns to the United States.
Restore Your Account
- Return to the United States. Your account cannot be restored under this procedure while you remain outside the country.
- Visit or contact the DSU Support Desk. Explain that your account was disabled due to unauthorized international travel.
- Confirm your return. Attest that you are physically located in the United States. Your dean or department head may provide this confirmation on your behalf.
- Wait for account restoration. ITS will re-enable your account after the required confirmation is completed.
Account Disabled — Other Security Reasons
Why Your Account Was Disabled
Some account security incidents do not fall into the categories of compromised credentials or unauthorized international travel.
Restore Your Account
Contact the DSU Support Desk and explain that your account was disabled for another security reason.
ITS will review your situation and provide the steps required to restore access.
Still Need Help?
If you cannot access the notification sent to your secondary email address or are unsure why your account was disabled, contact the DSU Support Desk.
If these instructions do not resolve the issue, contact the DSU Support Desk or submit a support request.