Secure email login comes to University of Nevada, Reno - Nevada Today

Multifactor authentication, utilizing much than conscionable a password and username, to log successful to unr.edu email volition statesman for module and unit connected Nov. 1 to amended support the University email system, and yet the machine network, from cyberattacks.

The Office of Information Technology is implementing the caller method to motion into Microsoft email accounts and services utilizing a login process that requires a 2nd means of verification successful summation to the users password, specified arsenic a codification that is sent to the users astute phone.

“The process should beryllium acquainted to everyone, you astir apt are utilizing it without knowing what it’s called, we person the process for Workday and AssetWorks; and doctors offices and wellness systems usage it and astir banks and fiscal institutions are utilizing it,” Catherine Cardwell, Dean of University Libraries and Acting Vice Provost, Information Technology, said. “Rather than conscionable asking for a username and password, the further verification helps to alteration the likelihood of a palmy cyberattack.”

The caller process volition beryllium launched Tuesday, Nov. 1 for each Academic Faculty, Administrative Faculty, Classified Staff, Classified Hourly, Residents, Letters of Appointment, Postdoctoral Scholars and On Campus Affiliate 2 Contingent Workers. Student email accounts volition beryllium brought into the strategy astatine a aboriginal date. Users whitethorn acceptable up their multifactor authentication method anterior to the Nov. 1 launch.

"Multifactor authentication is 1 of the astir unafraid ways to entree your email successful today's integer world,” Shamik Sengupta, manager of the University’s Cybersecurity Center, said. “As the sanction suggests, it depends connected aggregate factors oregon ways to verify that it is so you who is accessing the delicate information. In its astir basal format, it usually depends connected ‘what you know’ and ‘something you have’ but this tin beryllium easy expanded further to marque your connection adjacent much secure."

For those 2 forms of authentication, the thing you cognize is your NetID and password, and the thing you person with you tin beryllium a mobile instrumentality oregon a home/alternate phone. In astir cases, that 2nd origin is simply a substance connection you receive, oregon responding to an app installed connected your phone.

A Knowledge Base FAQ, “Microsoft 365 Multifactor Authentication,” has been developed by the Office of Information Technology that volition supply solutions to the astir communal problems and concerns for users. If, aft visiting the Knowledge Base FAQ page, further assistance is needed, users whitethorn interaction the OIT Support Center.

The Provost’s Office has sent an email announcement to each affected email users that has further accusation and details astir the caller authentication process. That letter whitethorn besides beryllium viewed connected the Office of Information Technology webpages.

The University has configured the strategy to let for aggregate means of authentication utilizing immoderate 1 of the pursuing methods for the 2nd verification:

1. Use your mobile telephone (SMS/text): a unsocial numeric codification volition beryllium sent via substance to your cellphone.
2. Use the Microsoft Authentication app – an exertion downloaded to your mobile telephone that randomly generates numbers utilized arsenic the secondary authenticator.
3. Use your mobile, bureau oregon alternate telephone (voice): the multifactor authentication petition volition beryllium sent and completed auditorily.

These choices volition beryllium disposable erstwhile pursuing the steps outlined successful the Knowledge Base articles linked above.

“The process to get acceptable up with the caller authentication process is reasonably straightforward and should lone instrumentality a fewer minutes,” Ben Roelofs, manager of User Services for Information Technology, said. “However, we expect determination volition beryllium questions astir getting the process implemented truthful we’ll beryllium lasting by for support. We privation this to beryllium a speedy and elemental process.”

On Oct. 3, the multi-step process was implemented arsenic a aviator programme for University Libraries, Office of Digital Learning, and Human Resources.

“The aviator programme has identified a fewer hiccups connected the back-end successful however the strategy is implemented, but thing major, the aviator has helped america to solidify the system,” Cardwell said. “It has been going precise well, with fewer calls to the Help Desk.“