Webinars offered this week for Aug. 4 MFA implementation

Illustration of padlock promoting information security.

Beginning the evening of Aug. 4, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be required for more than 90 departmental and university-wide applications including Blackboard, Zoom, Outlook, Office 365 applications, and more. Two webinars to assist users with preparation and other questions are scheduled at the times shown below. All content is identical, users only need to attend one of the sessions. Visit its.wsu.edu/mfa for the webinar links.

  • Thursday, July 30: 2-3 p.m.
  • Friday, July 31: 9-10 a.m.

Important User Information:

WSU Email Changes

Outlook (including web version at www.outlook.com) will be the only supported email application. Mobile device users need to be aware of this change and shift to Outlook email and calendar on all devices.

The Apple mail and calendar applications are not supported; however, Outlook is offered for Mac users in both desktop and mobile form. If you experience access issues following the Aug. 4 change, even though you completed recommended email application changes, WSU’s web service, www.outlook.com, offers a robust email environment while you work with your local IT support or Crimson Service Desk’s support team to regain access via your local email applications.

MFA Setup Reminders

  • MFA will be required every 10 hours if you stay on the same browser session and device. If you change devices or connections, you will be asked to reauthenticate.
  • Push is the most expedient MFA tool.  ITS offers a video on Push in the MFA How-To Resources.
  • One MFA factor is required to be set up for every WSU user. However, two is highly recommended when possible to recover or update MFA information via self-service options. Pointing two methods, such as text and voice call, to the same cell phone does not provide the backup ITS recommends. If that phone is not available, you are still locked out and may be delayed in completing important work.
  • Text messaging is the most selected MFA tool by WSU users, yet it is also the most likely to experience delays that could cause user frustration. If data demand is heavy, texts are a low priority for data providers. This can cause the texted code to be expired by the time it reaches the user.  In those instances, a voice call MFA code would not get delayed.

Users can visit account.wsu.edu to update MFA preferences anytime and can visit mfa.it.wsu.edu to test their MFA preferences to prepare for MFA rollout on Aug. 4.

Why MFA?

Protecting personal information is a top priority at WSU. Repeatedly, data shows compromised single-password security is the source of most compromised data.  MFA enhances WSU’s protection of both personal and organizational data by adding an authentication code that is difficult to obtain by a cyber-criminal. MFA allows the individual to be a key partner in protecting both their own and WSU’s information.

Technical Assistance

Please contact Crimson Service Desk by email or phone, (509) 335-4357 for assistance with any MFA our Outlook questions you may have.

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