Password Update For Online Services

We’re improving password security across a number of different online services – Online Catalogue and Ordering system, Home Delivery Service (HDS), eDC (online application only) and Billing.

Why this matters

Our current systems can have varied password rules across different applications – this can potentially cause confusion and security risks.

We are aligning with modern security standards to protect our users and our organisation, and this approach is approved by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as being both ‘long enough and strong enough.’

This will result in passwords that are easier to remember, stronger, and more secure and consistent across our systems.

You will be provided with information on what the new password complexity rules are when your current password expires, or when you manually change your password (if either of these happen after the ‘go live’ date).

What’s not changing

The process for logging in stays the same. If you use multiple systems, you can use the same password across them.

When this will happen for you

The new password rule is scheduled to come into effect from the end of January 2026. However, you won’t need to change your password immediately, only when your current password expires.

System synchronisation

Previously, your logins may have had different dates of expiry and different types of complexity requirements. These differences are being phased out.