What
Multi Factor Authentication is becoming mandatory for all off campus access to NSCC services starting April 25th, 2022.
MFA is used to make sure you are who they say you are by requiring two or more peices of evidence that prove your identity. This evidence is known as a factor and the requirement of a second factor greatly increases the security of your account. With multiple factors just knowing, or even guessing, your password is not enough to access your account. These factors are a combination of:
- Something you know, such as a password or passphrase
- Something you have, such as a code from a smart phone app or security token
- Something unique to you, such as a fingerprint or retinal pattern
Link to MFA Intro video - What is Multi-factor Authentication
With MFA enabled, you will be prompted for a second factor after entering your username and password when logging into a supported service such as Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Brightspace, etc.
Who
All users accessing college resources such will need to activate MFA on their accounts.
How
Go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info and add factors to your account [make sure to set your desired default].
We recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator App on your smart phone - for instructions, please see:
Where
New log-ins from outside of the NSCC networks. Log-ins originating from both wired and wireless NSCC networks are trusted and MFA is not required.
Why
MFA adds anther layer of security to your NSCC Office 365 account by requiring a 2nd factor, like a 6 digit code. This additional layer protects your account from unauthorized access, even if the malicious actor has your username and password.
This also allows NSCC to safely enable a Single Sign On (SSO) across college resources, as such reducing the number of passwords you need to remember.
When
All NSCC student accounts are required to activate MFA for the Fall 2024 session and onwards.
All NSCC staff accounts were required to activate MFA by April 25th, 2022.