Information For
SSN Information for developers
The SSN2UIN application has been retired. If you are in need of mass conversions, you may contact the i-card Programs Office:
Email: icardhelp@uillinois.edu
Phone:(217) 265-6464
For more information on the i-card Programs Office, visit their website at: http://www.icard.uillinois.edu
The following information is intended for developers of electronic systems at the University of Illinois that rely on or utilize Social Security numbers .
For a number of years most electronic systems at the University have relied on SSNs as the primary person identifier. The SSN is very problematic as a unique identifier for a number of reasons:
- It is confidential and may not be publicly displayed in any fashion
- In most instances you must provide an individual with service even if they refuse to supply their SSN
- It is not necessarily stable:
non-citizens do not have a Social Security number, and foreign
students may confuse their
temporarily assigned student identifier with the Social Security number
For these and similar reasons developers are strongly encouraged to migrate existing systems away from SSns and to the University Identification Number (also known as the UIN or i-card number). A set of guidelines (MS Word) is available for those contemplating the development or purchase of new systems. These have been approved and adopted by AITS and the campus CIOs.
The UIN has a number of distinct advantages:
- It´s unique and permanent
- It´s the property of the University
- It can have a password and PIN associated with it
- It´s printed on every i-card