Security Administration FAQs - IMS/PIC

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Contents

	How do I log in to IMS/PIC?
	Where do I logon to IMS/PIC?
	How do I get a WASS ID and password for IMS/PIC?
	Do I need a separate WASS ID for IMS/PIC?
	Can I temporarily use someone else’s ID & password?
	What if I forgot my WASS User ID or Password?
	What if I log in and it says, “Invalid user credentials”?
	What if I log in and it says, “User Access Expired”?
	What if it says, “Your password expires in 3.3 days”?
	How do I change my password?
	What does “case sensitive” mean?
	What is a “strong” password?
	What are “special characters” in a password?
	Why should I have a strong password?
	What are “coordinators” and where do I find one?
	What is a “module”?
	What is a “sub-module”?
	What are the tabs at the top of each page?
	Where are the “sub-tabs” that are mentioned in the instructions?
	Where can I get a User Guide for an IMS/PIC module?
	How is the IMS/PIC system made safe from hackers?
	Why don’t my reports appear?
	Is it okay to use pop-up blocking software?
	Why don’t my reports download?

Browse Questions and Answers

How do I log in to IMS/PIC?

You must have a valid WASS User ID and password to logon onto HUD Secure Systems. There are two logon screens: one for HUD users and one for HA users.

• HA users should use: https://hudapps.hud.gov/HUD_Systems
• HUD users should use: https://hudapps.ud.gov/ssmaster

Where do I logon to IMS/PIC?

There are two logon screens: one for HA and other external users and one for HUD (internal) users. PIH must change these from time to time, but the correct logon links are always available from the IMS/PIC web page. The current logons are:

• HA users log at: https://hudapps.hud.gov/HUD_Systems
• HUD users should use: https://hudapps.ud.gov/ssmaster

How do I get a WASS ID and password for IMS/PIC?

Go to the Secure Systems web page to request a WASS User ID. Follow the instructions to request the proper type of ID. Generally, PHA user or PHA coordinator is the proper type of ID to request. It is an overnight process to obtain a regular HA user ID. For a Coordinator ID, it can take up to one week. The ID is transmitted to the agency WASS Coordinator for implementation and set up. Regular user IDs are sent electronically overnight; coordinator IDs are sent via surface mail to the agency head.

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Do I need a separate WASS ID for IMS/PIC?

No. You do not need a separate User ID for IMS/PIC. If you have a valid WASS User ID, your coordinator needs to configure it to add access to IMS/PIC.

Can I temporarily use someone else’s ID & password?

It is a violation of both Federal security rules and common sense to share a User ID and Password. Actions in the system are identified with the User ID used to make the change. If someone else uses your identity to perform illegal or improper actions in any HUD computer system, you will be held responsible for those actions. You wouldn’t share your toothbrush; your User ID and password are just as personal.

What if I forgot my WASS User ID or Password?

Your local agency WASS coordinator can reset your password. The WASS Coordinator in your hub field office can also reset your password. If either of these options is not available to you, you will need to telephone the REAC_TAC at 1-888-245-4860 and request a password reset. You will be asked the last four digits of your Social Security Number or you mother’s maiden name. These must match the values you provided when you requested your WASS ID.

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What if I log in and it says, “Invalid user credentials”?

Either your credentials have expired or were not set up or you mistyped either your User ID or your password. First, check the “CapsLock” key on your keyboard and make sure it is “off”. (Make sure you type the letters in your User ID in upper case. Finally, password are case sensitive. This means that CAPITALIZED and lower case letters make a difference and capitalization must match the way you originally set up the password. If none of these things helps, call to request a password reset.

What if I log in and it says, “User Access Expired”?

It means you have not used your User ID in a long time and, for security reasons, it has been disabled. Check with your agency WASS Coordinator to get it re-activated.

What if it says, “Your password expires in 3.3 days”?

This means your password will cease to work in 3.3 days (3 days and about 7 hours) so you should change it before then.

How do I change my password?

You must log into WASS (Secure Systems) to change your password. In the main WASS menu you will see an option to “Change my password”. Click it and follow the screen prompts to complete the process. When completed, the system will tell you that your password has been changed.

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What does “case sensitive” mean?

Case refers to UPPER (capitalized) and lower case (un-capitalized) letters; many User IDs and Passwords are case sensitive (they must be entered with the same capitalization pattern that was used to set them up every time).

What is a “strong” password?

A strong password uses both upper and lower case characters plus at least one numeral and (often) at least one special character to form a non-word (word not found in any dictionary in any language). An example of a strong password would be: 4sa?LBjx. Any password that uses your name, your initials, your date of birth or those of your family are “weak” passwords and not to be used.

What are “special characters” in a password?

These are the punctuation characters on your keyboard such as “ ! @ # \ < > / $ % ^ & * ) . , ( _ + ”.

Why should I have a strong password?

You are required and expected to protect the integrity and security of the data to which you have access. Many data elements in IMS/PIC are protected under the Privacy Act of 1975, which provides serious civil financial penalties in federal court for unauthorized disclosure of privacy data for any reason.

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What are “coordinators” and where do I find one?

A WASS Coordinator at your agency has the ability to activate and configure your WASS (Secure Systems) User ID so it can access any PIH system needed.

What is a “module”?

IMS/PIC is organized into modules that cover broad topics such as “PIH Information” and “Housing Authority”. It is further subdivided within each module into submodules.

What is a “sub-module”?

A subdivision of a module. IMS/PIC is organized into modules which are groups of related information or activities. For example, the Form 50058 module is divided into four submodules:

• Submission
• Viewer
• Reports
• Tenant ID Management

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What are the tabs at the top of each page?

The tabs at the top of the web page (that look like file folder tabs) subdivide the business activities of a submodule into logical groups whose function is indicated by the name of the tab.

Where are the “sub-tabs” that are mentioned in the instructions?

Subtabs are the labels in the colored line immediately below the tabs. Each subtab links to a specific activity within the similarly colored the tab. There are different subtabs for each tab.

Where can I get a User Guide for an IMS/PIC module?

All IMS/PIC User Guides are downloadable from the IMS/PIC User Guide web page.

How is the IMS/PIC system made safe from hackers?

IMS/PIC uses 128-bit encryption for all transmissions in both directions using the SSL system built into all PC browsers. This means that only you and the IMS/PIC servers can read your transmissions. In addition, HUD fully complies with all computer security standards of the federal government.

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Why don’t my reports appear?

All IMS/PIC reports are run as “pop-ups”. If you have pop-up windows blocked by a pop-up blocker, the reports cannot appear. To turn off your pop-up blocker when requesting a report, hold down the <Ctrl> key while requesting the report or access the pop-up blocker configuration to allow all pop-ups from “hud.gov”.

Is it okay to use pop-up blocking software?

Pop-up blocking software will block IMS/PIC reports unless you configure the blocker to permit pop-ups from “hud.gov”.

Why don’t my reports download?

Your pop-up blocker may be blocking IMS/PIC reports, which are created as pop-ups. If you can see the reports but they won’t download, your IT department may have restricted your rights to download data for system security reasons.