User Management

Introduction

User account management is a critical aspect of any system that requires user authentication, authorization, and access control. In the Meshed Platform, user accounts are used by Staff, Students, Agents, and Techers to access and manage various features and functionalities.

Some of the key features of user account management include:

  • User registration: Creation of User accounts using personal information, contact details, and login credentials etc. for individuals or groups

  • User authentication: Verification of the user's identity by requesting login credentials and checking them against the system's user database.

  • Access control: Allow administrators to define access control policies that specify which users can access which features and functionalities.

  • User roles and permissions: Role-based access control, where different roles have different permissions based on their job responsibilities and access requirements.

  • Password management: Provide tools for users to manage their passwords, including resetting and changing their passwords as needed and forgotten password functionality . Allow administrators to reset or change passwords, manage password strength, and MFA management functionality.  

  • User activity tracking: Logging of user activity, including login attempts, to help administrators monitor system usage and detect suspicious activity.


These functions would typically be performed by Users with an IT or Admin role.



Manage User Account

This function allows the User to search for a List of Users using relevant Selection Criteria and then manage their User Account.

The System can do the following for the Users:

  • Reset Password
  • Disable Account
  • Re-enable Account
  • Delete Account


To Manage User Accounts, follow the instructions below:

  • Click Users >Manage User Account


  • Select the required Search by criteria and value


  • Click View
  • The list of Users is displayed at the bottom of the page



The following icons are used to manage User accounts.



Reset Password

  

This icon allows for the User Account Password to be reset.



Unlock User Account

 

This icon allows for a Locked User Account to be Unlocked.


Lock User Account

 

This icon allows for a Unlocked User Account Password to be Locked.


Locking a User Account prevents the User from logging in to the Meshed Higher-Ed System.


Delete User Account

 

This icon allows for a User Account to be Deleted.


Delete is not permitted if the User is used or linked to data elsewhere in the System



Bulk Student Account Management

This function allows the User to search for a List of Students using relevant Selection Criteria and then select Students from the list to manage their User Account.

The System can do the following for the selected Students:

  • Disable Student User Account
  • Re-enable Student User Account

For example, this is useful for disabling expired Student Accounts for completed Courses, or for re-enabling existing Student Accounts for Students enrolling in a new Course


To Manage User Accounts for Students, follow the instructions below:

  • Click Users > Bulk Student User Account Management



  • Select Student Account Action required - note that the Account button will modify depending on selection.


 


  • Select Course Type
  • Select Course
  • Select Student Status
  • Select Course Finish Date option
  • Select required Data Filter (see note below)
  • Click View Student List
  • The list of Students is displayed at the bottom of the page



  • Select the check boxes for Students required for the selected User Account action.
  • Click the Account button.
  • The Students Account will be shown as disabled



Data Filter

Check if no future course exists

The Student list will not include Students without a future Course Start date.


Check to exclude current student

The Student list will contain only students without a current Course





Create Bulk Student User Accounts

This function allows the User to search for a List of Students using relevant Course selection criteria and then select Students from the list to create a User Account for.

The System creates the Student User Account with the following values:

  • Username: Student Id
  • Password: Student Date of Birth - DDMMYYYY

Once the Student User Account is created an email notification is sent to the Student.  The Student can change their password after the initial login.

For example, this is useful for creating a User Account for each new Student enrolled in a Course.


To Create User Accounts for Students, follow the instructions below:

  • Click Users > Bulk Create Student User Account



  • Select Course Type
  • Select Course (or All) 
  • Select Student Status
  • Click View Student
  • The list of Students is displayed at the bottom of the page



  • Select the check boxes for Students required for User Account creation.


  • Click Create User
  • Success messages are displayed for each User Account created and the Student List is updated.





User Activity IP Track

Meshed Higher-Ed allows Admin users to view Users who have accessed the system - the date/time they have logged in and what IP address they have used to log in.

To view the Activity Track results, follow the instructions below:

  • Click Users > User IP Activity Track
  • Select the required Search Criteria
  • Click Search
  • The Activity Tracker results are displayed


 
The Activity Track results can be filtered using search criteria based on:

  • User Type - All, Anonymous, Agent, Staff, Student, Unknown
  • Activity - All, Application, Online Test, Account Login, Unspecified
  • Date Range or User Name

This makes it easier to track the activities Users have been working on.

This information can be exported in an Excel format as required.


Password Strength Management (Optional)

Password strength is a measure of the effectiveness of a password against guessing or brute-force attacks. The strength of a password is a function of length, complexity, and unpredictability. Using strong passwords lowers overall risk of a security breach, but strong passwords do not replace the need for other effective security controls.

The Meshed Platform has optional functionality to manage Password Strength with selection of one of three strength options:

  • Weak Password
  • Medium Password
  • Strong Password


Weak Password

Following are the general rules for applied to a Weak Password

  • Be at least 3 characters in length


Medium Password

Following are the general rules for applied to a Medium Password

  • Be at least 6 characters in length
  • Have at least one special character (e.g. ~!@#$%^&*()_-+=)


Strong Password

Following are the general rules for applied to a Strong Password

  • Be at least 8 characters in length
  • Include both upper and lowercase alphabetic characters (e.g. A-Z, a-z)
  • Have at least one numerical character (e.g. 0-9)
  • Have at least one special character (e.g. ~!@#$%^&*()_-+=)


The Password Strength option selected applies to:

  • Create Password functions for Add New Staff, Add New Teacher, Create Agent Account, and Create Student Account.
  • Change Password functions for Users (i.e. Reset Password Icon), Staff Portal, Student Portal, Agent Portal, and Teacher Portal.


This is an Optional Feature that Clients will need to request via the Meshed Support Team