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UWSP protects user accounts and High Risk data by requiring the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) when accessing important applications and systems.
Multi-factor authentication protects your personal information and data by adding an additional security layer to your UWSP account sign in, such as you accepting a push notification sent to the Microsoft MFA app on your mobile device, or entering a code generated by a security/hardware token (i.e. "key fob").
Microsoft Authenticator is UWSP's supported multi-factor authentication solution and is a UW-System mandate.
What Are My Multi-Factor Authentication Options?
MFA options differ between employees and students. See below.
Employee MFA Options
All UWSP employees need to set up the Microsoft Authenticator (MFA) app on their mobile devices as their secondary authentication method.
Employees may also request a hardware token to ensure that a back up authentication method is always available.
According to NIST standards (National Institute of Standards and Technology) the MFA app and hardware tokens provide a higher level of secure secondary authentication which is required for UWSP employees. Less secure secondary authentication methods such as SMS or voice calls will be regularly disabled via an automated script if they are added to an employee account.
Student MFA Options
Contact the IT Service Desk with additional questions!