On April 26, Information Technology Services (ITS) will upgrade Washington State University’s current authentication service to Okta Identity Engine, providing all WSU users with enhanced login, password recovery, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and account activation capabilities. This transition will not cause any login or MFA service outage and access to university resources will remain uninterrupted.
Okta is an identity management service that secures WSU user accounts through a multi-step authentication process. To elevate university resource security and improve the end-user experience, Okta Identity Engine will upgrade common account processes and replace familiar features with new ones.
Once implemented, users will notice a few changes within the Okta system. Changes to the WSU login page will include the removal of the security image, the removal of the “Connecting to [WSU resource] …” banner, and improved visibility of forgotten password and account activation options.
MFA options, including Okta Verify, Google Authenticator, SMS, Voice Call, and more, will be classified as security methods and will connect to multiple devices or phone numbers, providing additional flexibility and security for identity verification.
Okta will introduce the phone security method which will combine the current SMS and voice call authentication options. Streamlining the configuration and use of cell-service MFA options, this new security method will allow users to connect one or more phone numbers for both SMS and voice call functionality in a singular step. Okta will also utilize MFA options for password recovery, improving the self-service password reset process.
Additionally, new students and employees who have not accessed WSU resources will experience a new Okta activation process.
Although the upgrade will offer the same fundamental capabilities as today, ITS developed video demonstrations and support documentation detailing each change Okta Identity Engine will bring. To view all self-help resources, please visit the WSU Knowledge Base.
The upcoming move to Identity Engine not only ensures WSU will continue to make the most of Okta’s robust security services by increasing the efficiency and flexibility of account management for current and new users, but the migration also represents a significant milestone in a more extensive identity management project in which ITS is working towards centralizing processes for configuring new user profiles and maintaining user details.
For any questions regarding this transition, please contact Crimson Service Desk at crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu or 509-335-4357.
