In partnership with the Security Workgroup, Information Technology (IT) is rolling out Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in Office 365 to all College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees. As many companies and organizations use this type of authentication, you are likely familiar with the process.
What is MFA in Office 365 and why is it important?
MFA, also known as two-step verification, is an extra layer of security designed to ensure you are the only person who can access your Office 365 account, even if your password is stolen. Once set up, a user will only be granted access to Office 365 after successfully providing two or more pieces of personal identification.
When will the rollout occur, and what action do employees need to take?
IT will be activating MFA for employees July 9 – 21. Once activated on your CWI account, you will be prompted the next time you log in to walk through the screens outlined in the FAQ link provided below.
- Rather than using the built-in mail application on your Android device, you will need to download and use the Outlook app for MFA to work on your phone. Apple users will not have to download an app for MFA to work on your device.
- For those using the CWI Wi-Fi, when you initially authenticate and then change to using your phone service Wi-Fi, you will be prompted to enter a new code.
- It is recommended you choose two authentication options in case you don’t have access to your primary option at any given time.
Watch for an email from your EOT representative with more information in the coming weeks.
Please submit a Help Desk ticket or call 208-562-3444 if you encounter any issues.