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Addled by authentication: recent changes to password systems in British academic libraries: ANTAEUS

Nicholas Joint (Andersonian Library, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK)

Library Review

ISSN: 0024-2535

Article publication date: 15 August 2008

365

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the general principles behind changes in digital library authentication policy and practice in the UK from 2006 to date.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief review of the main features in the recent history of digital library authentication in the UK, emphasising the paradoxes underlying authentication and data protection and describing the problems faced by individual stakeholders in addressing the issues of federated access management.

Findings

That the adoption of new models of authentication involves supporting all parties involved in the national authentication project as they work through the difficult process of change management in this area, and that credible leadership of the change process is vital. Ultimately, broader issues concerning information literacy and the pervasive grasp of data protection principles in our contemporary information society are raised by the examination of this topic.

Research limitations/implications

Further in depth examination of the practical benefits of data protection and information management legislation is desirable, especially in light of the pervasively low levels of information literate understanding of these topics, of which federated access management is merely one example.

Practical implications

The straightforward presentation of the themes in this paper should enhance practitioner understanding of the complex topic under consideration.

Originality/value

This investigation reviews some technical areas of recent authentication developments in order to highlight the broader administrative meaning and impact of these innovations.

Keywords

Citation

Joint, N. (2008), "Addled by authentication: recent changes to password systems in British academic libraries: ANTAEUS", Library Review, Vol. 57 No. 7, pp. 491-498. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530810894013

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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