Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security feature that requires more than one method of authentication to verify a user’s identity. MFA is an authentication method that requires the user to provide an additional verification to gain appropriate access to Enterprise resources such as applications, emails, online accounts, or a VPN. In these times where malicious and phishing email attacks are occurring frequently at the university, MFA provides an additional layer of protection that eliminates the impact of these attacks on your accounts and restrict access to the confidential and critical data by verifying the authenticity of the user that is logged in. A compromised account is not only a great security risk but a very expensive one. Our existing licensing with Microsoft provides us the ability to utilize their easy-to-use and secure MFA solution. This solution helps us to not only protect your email, but all of our data and applications connected via Microsoft 365. MFA is required each time a user accesses a different device and when passwords are updated. There are occasionally other times it might be required after a major operating system update.

Once an employee is enrolled into MFA, the user is prompted to setup MFA the next time they log in. The most common and simplest process to set up MFA is the self-service that can be performed by installing an authenticator app on a mobile device; text or SMS to a cell; and/or phone call to either a cell or office. Please click here for these instructions.

MFA is designed to prevent “phishing” or hacking in our system, and while enrollment in MFA is a required part of this prevention, utilization of personal cell phones is not required. Many may find registration of a personal cell phone for MFA to be more convenient, but MFA enrollment includes other options such as registration to a university phone line, or electing to employ what is referred to as a fob. Processes for the various MFA options are detailed as follows:

This fob is a light weight physical random number generator that is typically attached to a key chain or carried in one’s pocket or purse. When prompted upon login, the user keys in the unique and continuously changing number displayed on the fob. Each fob has a unique serial number and is assigned to a unique user and must be in the user’s possession when authenticating during login. These options are easy to setup and provides instant access to MFA. Please click here for MFA self-service setup instructions. If you desire a fob please request it by submitting a request through the ITS Portal: https://cherwell.ferris.edu/CherwellPortal/ITS. You will need to the fob in your possession prior to 10/6/21.

Please follow the instructions “Volunteer Process To Request Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)” in How-to Guides in the link https://www.ferris.edu/it/security/office365mfa/index.htm and complete the process at your convenience.