Getting Started with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Tags MFA

Introduction

Columbia College requires Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for employees to gain access to various applications and resources.  MFA enables the use of an additional method (or factor) besides your password to access campus resources.  Leveraging MFA technologies helps protect you and the college should your password ever become compromised.  This article will help you setup and prepare to use MFA at Columbia College.

MFA Device Registration

MFA is enabled for all active employees, however, you must register your MFA device or phone to use it.

  1. From your computer, visit Microsoft's MFA Device Registration site at https://aka.ms/mfasetup   

  2. Login with your Columbia College username@ccis.edu account and password
    Note: Adjunct instructors and Student workers should also login with username@ccis.edu not your CougarMail

  3. On the Step 1 page, select Mobile app from the drop-down list and then the Receive notification for verification option.  This is the recommended configuration for MFA at Columbia College (It is recommended that you setup more then one form of contact for MFA.)

    Image: Configure Mobile app for MFA

  4. From your mobile phone/device, download the Microsoft Authenticator App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.  The Microsoft Authenticator App is the recommended way to leverage MFA at Columbia College, although SMS and phone call confirmation methods are also available.

  5. Click the Set up button and follow the on-screen instructions to configure the Microsoft Authenticator app on your MFA device for use at Columbia College (see this KB article for detailed advice on adding an account to the Microsoft Authenticator App.)
                                                    

  6. Click the Next button to continue

  7. On the Step 2 page, you will be prompted for your first MFA approval on your Microsoft Authenticator app.  Select Approve from your MFA device

    Image: Verify Microsoft Authenticator app approval
     
  8. If successful, click the Next button to continue
     
  9. On the Step 3 page, specify a phone number that can be used if you ever lose access to the mobile app

    Image: Provide a phone number for verification
     
  10. Click Done.  Congratulations, you are now ready to use MFA at Columbia College!

 

The video below provides a walk-through of the instructions above and provides an overview of some other options.

 

How it Works

When you visit a Columbia College system or resource that requires MFA:

  1. Login with your Columbia College username@ccis.edu account and password

    Note: Adjunct instructors and Student workers should also login with username@ccis.edu not your CougarMail

    Image: Login with username@ccis.edu account
     
  2. You will then be prompted to Approve sign in request from the Microsoft Authenticator app on your registered MFA device

    Image: Approve sign in request with Microsoft Authenticator app
     
  3. From the Microsoft Authenticator app on your registered MFA device, select Approve

    Image: Approve from Microsoft Authenticator app

    Note: If you specified a method other than Mobile app during the MFA Registration process, you will be prompted to approve your access through that method (SMS or phone call) instead.
     
  4. That's it!  You should now have access to the Columbia College system or resource.

Other Resources

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