An Update on Multi-Factor Authentication

In the last month over 4000 Clarkies have set-up and begun to use Multi-Factor Authentication and ITS would like to say Thank You!

Multi-Factor Authentication will provide Clark and our individual community members a higher level of security for their personal and institutional data, and will make our efforts to reduce cyber-threats more effective and efficient.

Over the last few weeks while supporting students, staff and faculty with Multi-Factor Authentication, we got some great questions. We’ve added the answers to our Multi-Factor Authentication webpage but wanted to cover some of the most frequently asked here.

If you still have questions about Multi-Factor Authentication, or are having issues accessing your email, please reach out to the Help Desk for support at 508-793-7745 or helpdesk@clarku.edu.

How often will I have to use Multi-Factor Authentication to access my account?

You will need to authenticate the first time you use a new device (computer, laptop, phone, tablet, etc.), or browser to access protected systems.

After the initial authentication on a device, you may be asked to reauthenticate again usually after a number of weeks. ITS will calibrate the timing of reauthentication requests to best balance security needs and your convenience.

Do I need Multi-Factor Authentication for Moodle? VPN? CUWeb?

Currently, you will only be required to use Multi-Factor Authentication to access Clark email and Office 365. However, ITS is adding MFA security to important Clark applications over the coming semesters including Moodle, VPN, CUWeb and Banner. We’ll be sure to let everyone know when we add new systems to Multi-Factor Authentication.

My mail app isn’t displaying new mail after setting up Multi-Factor Authentication. What do I do?

If after setting-up Multi-Factor Authentication, you find that your email app isn’t displaying new emails, you may need to remove and re-add your Clark account to your app in order for it to sync correctly.  Your phone manufacturer, or app developer should have instructions on how to do so, or you can contact the Help Desk if you need further assistance.  Using the Microsoft Outlook app on mobile devices helps provide a consistent experience between your devices.

How do I edit my factors?

You may need to do this if you buy or sell your smartphone, change your phone number, or just want to manage your factors. To see or edit your factors, you can visit the Multi-Factor Authentication webpage on the Clark website and choose “Edit my Factors” on the right.

What do I do if I lose my phone?

When using Multi-Factor Authentication, your smartphone becomes an important step in gaining access to your account. If you lose your device, please reach out to the Help Desk at 508 793 7745 or helpdesk@clarku.edu so we can verify your identity and get you back into your account as quickly as possible.