Cloud authentication arrives at WSU

A student setting up an Okta account on his laptop.
Following months of planning, the Information Technology Services (ITS) project team is completing preparations for the shift to its new cloud-based network authentication solution.

Information Technology Services (ITS) continues to encourage the WSU community to activate their Okta accounts before the final shift to the new cloud authentication solution on May 13. From that date, applications such as myWSU, Blackboard, Notices, and more will reside behind the security Okta provides.

The May 13 migration affects several major systems within WSU, however it also leaves many business applications untouched. Users will experience no change to their computer log in procedure, and access to email and many other processes remains unchanged at this time.

Reminders are going out twice weekly at this point, however the website is accessible for account set up anytime; no email invitation is required. Approximately 12,000 students, faculty, staff, and parents who utilize third party access, have completed the easy account activation process. ITS hopes to migrate thousands more in the coming weeks.

The process to create an Okta account takes less than two minutes. Users log into activate.wsu.edu, enter a new password and confirm password recovery information including security questions and contact phone and email. One additional benefit of Okta managing WSU’s authentication process, password recovery will be a convenient, self‑service process.

Visit the ITS website to learn more about the Okta project, including an updated listing of all applications currently scheduled to use Okta security.

For assistance with any Okta account set up questions, please email crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu.

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