The College is committed to protecting you from cyber threats. We’re rolling out Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and Passwordless Authentication (PWA) to all students over the next few months to help increase account protection.
The Cyber Security Operations Center strongly recommends that students use the Microsoft Authenticator app (free on iOS and Android) for MFA and PWA, downloadable from your device’s app store.
What you will need
- Your mobile device
- A workstation, laptop, or tablet
What you need to do
First log in to https://aka.ms/mfasetup from your workstation, laptop, or tablet and watch the video below. Follow the instructions in the video on how to complete the setup. Give yourself 10-15 minutes to complete the process. You’re more than half done!
Additional details
Alternately, step-by-step print-based instructions on how to install and configure the app can be found Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and PWA Installation Instructions.
The Microsoft Authenticator app is a commercial application, so even if installed on your personal mobile device, it does not contain/install Bow Valley College software nor does the app allow access to your phone by BVC, though the app will register the device name with BVC to confirm the device is owned by a user for authentication purposes.
If mobile or internet service provider networks are down, the Microsoft Authenticator app allows authentication over alternate networks, providing resiliency in disaster scenarios.
This app is also strongly encouraged for personal use as it increases account protection. Additional details for personal use can be found at the Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for personal use.
Passwordless authentication is the process of verifying a software user’s identity with something other than a password, using methods like mobile devices for authentication.
The Passwordless sign-in process will only change how the Microsoft Authentication App notifies you. Instead of presenting a message for you to tap and approve, the App will present a number for you to verify on your phone and computer or laptop.
If you do not have a personal mobile device, please contact the Cyber Security Operations Center at csoc@bowvalleycollege.ca. An in-person appointment with the IT Service Desk will be required during this process.
Sometimes student accounts are connected to a phone number from a different country. If this happens to you, you can update your phone number through the Additional security verification page. To change your phone number, follow these steps:
- From the How would you like to respond? section of the page, update the phone number information for your Authentication phone (your primary mobile device).
- You also have an option to select the box next to the Alternate authentication phone option, and then type in a second phone number where you can receive phone calls if you cannot access your primary device. This might be a home phone number or office number if applicable to you.
- Select Save.
Please contact the Cyber Security Operations Center for additional guidance at csoc@bowvalleycollege.ca.
