Wax On, Wax Off/Log In, Log Off

Wax On, Wax Off/Log In, Log Off
By Brian J. Wagner
Past NAPS President

I have been providing quite a bit of training during the NAPS state convention season and over Zoom regarding EAS rights when it comes to representation and appealing disciplinary action. One topic that has been very popular and well received is, “How to Stay Out of Trouble!”

Today, EAS employees have much on their proverbial work plates. They constantly are challenged to get their work plate cleaned before ending their day. Unfortunately, these challenges may lead to an EAS employee taking shortcuts or doing work-arounds outside postal policy, thus leading to trouble.

It is imperative for EAS employees to stay focused and understand the importance in following postal policies to avoid trouble and potential discipline. Which policies? All of them!

That said, I do not have time in this column to address them all. But I want to address one that has creeped up in recent calls I have received. Here’s the scoop!

I love the original “Karate Kid” movie with Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, better known as Danielson. Mr. Miyagi teaches Danielson karate by having him do chores around Mr. Miyagi’s house, which also includes washing and waxing Mr. Miyagi’s car. Do you recall the wax on, wax off scene? If yes, great! If no, please watch the movie.

When I think wax on, wax off, I also think log in, log off. Wax on, wax off is a defensive move Mr. Miyagi teaches Danielson. Logging onto a USPS computer with your official USPS login and password and logging off when you are done with that computer is an excellent workplace habit to protect your login from anyone else using the computer under your name.

When you log off the computer you were using, you protect yourself from someone using your computer access to do nefarious work under your name. This can lead to trouble for you. I have assisted in several cases where EAS employees provided their USPS login and password to other employees to submit reports or accept stamp stock for them. Some have found other EAS login and password information to change their own TACS clock rings. Immediately, stop doing this—this is trouble!

What is the best way to avoid trouble when it comes to protecting your USPS login and password? Read and follow the “Information Security Requirements for All Personnel,” Handbook AS-805-C, dated November 2021. Below are some quick, helpful reminders in protecting your official USPS login and password and adhering to USPS policy to avoid trouble.

  • Keep your USPS password confidential. You are accountable and responsible for the actions of anyone using your logon ID and password, even if you did not give the user permission.
  • Change your password if you think it has been compromised and notify the Cybersecurity Operations Center (CSOC) using Handbook AS-805-C.
  • Do not write your personal password on a sticky note and attach it to your monitor.
  • Do not use a terminated employee’s logon to access any Postal Service system.
  • Do not share your personal password under any circumstances.
  • Do not share your personal password with IT technical support staff working to resolve a service desk or system upgrade ticket related to your system.
  • Do not share your personal password with co-workers to enable them to access your system for any reason (e.g., to resolve any issues related to teleworking and enable them to access a file, application, e-mail message, attachment or meeting/ calendar-related information).
  • Do not share your personal password with a family member or personal acquaintance to enable them to access the internet or use MS Office or other USPS applications installed on a USPS computing device.
  • Do not let anyone use your logon ID or password and do not use anyone else’s.
  • Do not store your password in application code, files or tables.
  • Do not transmit a password for access to your system to an encrypted document or to an archive in clear text in an e-mail.

Today’s takeaway: Read and follow USPS policy in Handbook AS-805-C. Think of wax on, wax off the same as log in, log off as a defensive measure to protect your USPS login and password. And watch the original “Karate Kid” anytime you need a log in, log off refresher.

The only thing you may have access to and share without getting into trouble is my ice-cream-flavor-of-the-month recommendation: brown sugar cookie dough brownie. Be safe and eat more ice cream.