Frederick Community College students who have a difficult time remembering their email passwords: Prepare yourselves. Starting on Oct. 30, students must use Multifactor Authentication (MFA) to log into Microsoft 365 applications or MyFCC email.
To improve the security of student accounts, Frederick Community College put MFA into action. According to IT Training Coordinator Sandra Marshall, MFA allows users to access a system by combining two or more separate credentials. These credentials consisted of the user’s knowledge (password, for example) and possessions (such as MFA system code or smartphone app).
According to Marshall, the process of entering a username and password when students sign into online accounts is known as “authentication” and verifies the system or service that students are who they claim to be. However, with the rise in cybercrime, end users and online services are at risk from a single layer of authentication.
But why is Frederick Community College using MFA now?
“MFA is a new requirement to access myFCC email, Microsoft 365 apps, and other college-used systems from non-FCC devices (personal desktop/laptop/tablet or a personal cell phone); the sign-in experience will now require an additional step, in which students will need to provide their user ID/password and then authorize access via the MS authenticator app or provide a security code texted to their phone or via a voice phone call.” Marshall said.
The IT department of Frederick Community College now works jointly with increased security measures for the protection of private data through multi-factor authentication, securing employee and student information.
According to the Microsoft Support website, in a world that sees the increased danger of cyberattacks and data breaches, multi-factor authentication helps avert risks associated with mere single-factor authentication into accounts by having multiple modes of verification.
“The goal is that MFA aims to provide a multi-layered approach to online security, making it impossible for unauthorized individuals to access a student account or system. Even if one of the factors, like a password, is compromised, the attacker will still require the token device: a smartphone with an application or code to access the system. Along with preventing unwanted access to personal data, this additional security precaution will help safeguard student and teacher data,” Marshall said.
MFA will also increase student account security by adding layers of authentication.
Where multi-factor authentication is employed, students are made to verify themselves in several ways before being able to access their private data at Frederick Community College, financial aid, and grades, according to a press release from FCC.
It’ll also provide an added layer of security that prevents identity theft and unlawful access to the accounts of students.
While students might have to go that extra mile in getting their identities verified, at the end of the day, they would be more at ease, knowing that their data is a lot safer.
MFA involves additional steps to verify the user beyond the student password to access MyFCC email and Microsoft 365 applications. That second factor can be an authentication app or a text message code.
Here’s a link to the instructions for FCC MFA verification and registration:
https://mfa-instructions.tiiny.site/
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