Never Logout My screen or account

[Kumar54]

Hi Community,

I have a question regarding user session timeout behavior in ServiceNow.

Currently, when I leave my ServiceNow screen open, my account eventually logs out or times out. This is causing issues because I need the account to stay logged in and visible on the screen without timing out or auto-logging off.

Could you please advise:

What system properties or configurations control the session timeout?

Are there changes that can be made to prevent the account from auto-logging out?

Are there any best practices or recommended approaches if we want the session to remain active on a shared/display screen?

Any guidance or steps would be really helpful.

[GlideFather]

Hi @Kumar54

to achieve this, navigate to this sys prop: glide.ui.session_timeout:

And assign the value to 1441 (1440 = 24 hours x 60 minutes).

However, is it a PDI or real instance? PDI will might start hibernating due to the saving the operational costs so it will might have no impact. If it is real client's instance, this is a potential security breach.

Do you mind explaining the reason why would one need to stay logged in even in moments of inactivity?

[GlideFather]

@Kumar54 also:

Summary of Managing User Sessions in ServiceNow AI Platform

• User Session Management:

  • View and terminate individual user sessions.
  • Lock out users to prevent login and actions.
  • Mark users as inactive to exclude them from active user references.

• Session Timeout Configuration:

  • Set a maximum active session time to enhance security.
  • Default session timeout is 30 minutes of inactivity.
  • Adjust timeout settings for both authenticated and guest users.

• Prompting Users:

  • Users are prompted to extend their session 2 minutes before expiration.
  • This can be adjusted or turned off by setting the glide.ui.session_timeleft property.

• Locking and Marking Users:

  • Lock out users via User Administration.
  • Mark users as inactive, which also locks them out by default.

• Terminating Sessions:

  • Terminate sessions for maintenance without locking users out.
  • Only affects the specific session, not the user’s overall access.

Note: Admin role is required for all management tasks.

Source: Managing user sessions

[kaushal_snow]

Hi @Kumar54 ,

To keep your ServiceNow session active, adjust the glide.ui.session_timeout property to a longer duration in System Properties. Remember, this setting applies system wide and should be configured with security considerations in mind. For shared or display screens, utilize the Remember Me feature and set up auto refresh mechanisms to maintain session activity.

If you found my response helpful, please mark it as ‘Accept as Solution’ and ‘Helpful’. This helps other community members find the right answer more easily and supports the community.

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

Hi @Kumar54 

Greetings!!

No doubt this can be done, but let’s consider the practical aspects. The reason I’m bringing this up is that we had a detailed discussion with our client on this topic, and several concerns were raised.

• The solution itself is quite simple — just update a system property and the job is done.

• However, this is a global-level change, meaning that once you modify the property, it will affect all users across the platform.

• Before proceeding with any change, it's important to consult with your company’s security team to confirm whether setting an infinite or extended session timeout is acceptable.

• Also, consider your other portals — do they enforce similar logout policies? Do they use limited session timeouts followed by automatic logout?

Given these points, increasing the logout timeout could introduce both security and compliance risks. So think carefully before making any changes.