To open doors online, you’re going to need your PennKey starting Oct. 14.

On that day, Penn systems that require users to authenticate themselves will switch from the PennNet Authentication System to the new PennKey system.

PennKey will make it more difficult for unauthorized users to access secure or restricted information, said Robin Beck, vice provost for Information Systems and Computing.

“Increasing our access security is a continuing step to keep information—which includes personal information—ever more secure,” Beck said. A key to maintaining that security, she added, is for users not to share their PennKey passwords with others.

Beginning on Sept. 30, everyone who has a PennNet ID will need to register a PennKey in order to continue using authenticated services after Oct. 14. Those who register before Oct. 9 will be eligible to win one of 10 $50 gift certificates from the Penn Bookstore.

More information at www.upenn.edu/computing/pennkey .