Is the service secure?
Security is very important. We provide security through:
- a user identity code (User ID) and password
- secure connections – to protect information
- encryption (putting information in code so only certain people can access it).
User ID and password
If you have already registered online for another Government service you can use your existing User ID.
If you have not, this service will give you a user identity code (User ID ) that only you will know. You will also choose your own password.
Please keep this information safe. We cannot remind you about it if you forget it or lose it.
Keep your User ID and password secret. Only someone who knows your User ID and password can access the information you provide.
Protecting your information
All the information you send and receive goes through a secure connection between your browser and our web server. This makes sure that the information is not altered between your computer and our server. You can tell from the screen that launches when you start the service that you are using a secure connection because a padlock icon is displayed on the status bar of your browser.
Information that you send and receive is encrypted (put in code) so only you and the Department for Work and Pensions can read it.
If other people have access to the computer you are using, you should logout and close all the browser windows before you leave the computer, to make sure that your details remain secure.
Timeouts
If you stop using the computer for more than 30 minutes while you are logged in to the service, the service will log you out for security reasons.