The following are challenges that AcIS specifically and the university in general should aim to solve with respect to person data and identity management:
The hardware, database, and much of the software of the system is aging; they therefore require constant significant maintenance and carry a substantial risk of critical outage.
Currently data may take several days to be fully processed by the system; real-time updates are feasible and would deliver substantial benefit to users.
The ID System currently assigns UNIs to most but not all people in the university community; UNIs should be expanded to cover a wider audience.
Matching of records (to a single UNI) is difficult, and the algorithm for this should be improved. Matches, when found, should be shared across all university systems.
The Columbia ID card system is scheduled for replacement in December 2006; the new system should be closely integrated with the ID System.
This problem is significant for first-time users, users who have forgotten their passwords, and users conducting in-person or over-the-phone transactions.
Especially, how to reduce reliance on the SSN
The ID System contains data that could facilitate application and system development, as well as reporting, across the university; the challenge is to find appropriate ways to make this data available.
A central university authorization system would improve security and timeliness of users' access to university applications, and would simplify the work of maintaining access to these applications as well.