Another step in the journey toward stronger security
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be required when logging into more WSU applications, including Blackboard, Adobe, and others, beginning at 6 a.m. on March 16.
Information Technology Services (ITS) will be sharing information on the upcoming changes across the university system over the coming weeks to help notify staff, faculty, and students.
No action is required with this change, ITS is simply taking this opportunity to heighten awareness.
ITS wants to say thank you one more time for partnering with us over the past months with the implementation of WSU’s new network account management process via Okta.
Where we are now
- Monthly average of unique user log-ins in to the network via Okta is approximately 50,000
- Of the 50,000 active users, close to 100% have set up at least one multi-factor authentication method.
- The majority of users prefer text messages, and less than 3% are using USB keys
Terminology tips and more
You may hear different terminology when discussing WSU’s network resources. To clarify the differences in terms for you, Okta is the name of the vendor who provides WSU’s current SSO and MFA services. SSO is an acronym for single sign on, which is the name for the authentication process that allows WSU users to access university software applications with one set of login credentials. MFA or Multi-Factor Authentication (sometimes referred to as Two-Factor or Extra Verification) is WSU’s added authentication step that requires an individual to enter their network ID (NID), password, and then a code received via one of five different options including text message, or an authentication app on a mobile device.
So Okta is the service for WSU that manages user accounts, passwords, authentication, single-sign-on, and Multi-Factor Authentication. Users accessing WSU resources set up their WSU network or friend ID and password, as well as MFA preferences, through Okta at account.wsu.edu.
- Users will still receive reminders to reset their account password every six months
- For assistance creating an Okta-compliant password, google ‘password generator’ and find a number of online sites ready to help
- Already have your Okta password, but need to get back to Okta password management site? Visit account.wsu.edu anytime
- OKTA SSO – How to Unlock Account
For more information regarding MFA, please visit its.wsu.edu/mfa
