Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Many AU systems now require MFA.

When you sign into your online accounts, often referred to as “authentication,” you're proving to the service that you are “you." MFA is just as it sounds—a second verification method, or a second "factor” is required to prove who you are. You may have even heard it called “two-step verification.” At AU, we use the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Traditionally when signing into your account, you would have just used your username and password. Unfortunately, that is no longer very secure, as usernames are usually e-mail addresses or something easy to guess. And because passwords can be hard to remember, people use simple ones or use the same one on many different websites—making your accounts very vulnerable to cyber threats.

MFA requires anyone logging in to provide an extra action, such as clicking an approve button on a linked smart phone. Your password and your linked smart phone app are called factors.

When your account is setup for MFA, you will need to setup additional factors (like the linked smart phone app), and use one of those factors when prompted during login.

When your MFA setup has been completed, you will also be able to use Self Serve Password Reset (SSPR) to reset your Office 365 and Active Directory password if you are unable to log in.

Setting up MFA as an AU learner

MFA setup instructions

How to set up MFA on your @learn.athabascau.ca account—PDF version 

How to setup MFA and SSPR

MFA setup instructions

PDF version

HTML version

Frequently asked questions

What is the recommended MFA method?

For most AU Faculty and Staff we recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator App on your AU iPhone. We do recommend setting up an additional factor that can be used if your iPhone is unavailable.

When will I need to use MFA?

Once activated on your account, MFA will be required when you login to any AU system with MFA enabled. One of the first places you will encounter this is your AU email account. Some systems will allow you to trust a device for a period of time, so you will not need to use MFA every time you login on that device. This option should only be selected on AU devices.

What do I do if I forgot my password?

Once MFA is enabled, you will be able to use the "Forgot my password" link on the Office 365 login page to reset your password. You will also be able to start the reset process from: https://aka.ms/sspr

What do I do if I lose access to one of my additional authentication methods (factors)?

If you enabled multiple authentication methods (factors) you should be able to click the "Sign in another way" link on the "Approve Sign In Request" prompt, and select one of your other options.

Once you can login, visit https://aka.ms/mfasetup/ to remove any lost factors, or to add new factors.

If have lost access to all your factors, please contact the IT Help Desk for assistance.