Information about Multi-factor Authentication and how to activate it on your account

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security process that requires users to provide multiple forms of identification before gaining access to an account or system. This adds an extra layer of protection by combining something the user knows (like a password) with something they have (like a smartphone app or physical device). 

Authentication Methods

Two common ways of authenticating include using an Authentication Application (which generates time-based codes) and a Hardware Security Key (a physical device that connects to the computer or mobile device to verify identity).

For convenience we recommend installing an Authentication Application on your mobile device.

Authentication Application

In order to authenticate using an application you will need to use an authentication application that supports One-time password (OTP) or Offline time-based verification codes (TOTP). This tutorial covers how to set up MFA using Microsoft Authenticator, however you are free to use any supported authentication application of your choice. You can find links to commonly used Authentication Applications below:

Microsoft Authenticator

Google Authenticator

Hardware Security Key

If you wish to authenticate using a Hardware Security key, your key needs to have support for the FIDO2 authentication protocol. 
We recommend the Yubico YubiKey 5 Series .

Activation of MFA on your Arcada account

  1. Log in to the Microsoft myaccount page with your Arcada credentials using your computer
  2. Click on Security info.
  3. Click on the plus-sign to add a sign-in method
    • Select Microsoft Authenticator (not Passkey) if you with to add a Authentication application
    • Select Security key if you wish to add a hardware security key.
  4. Click on Next until a QR-code is shown.
  5. Open Microsoft Authenticator on your phone.
  6. Click on the plus-sign to add an account.
  7. Choose Work or school account.
  8. Click on Scan a QR-code and scan the code on the computer using your phone.
  9. Click Next on the computer.
  10. A two number code is shown on the screen, type this code on you phone.
  11. When the verification is successful, click on Next.
  12. Done!

Changing Phone and MFA

If you are changing your phone, it is important to make sure that you can still access your Arcada account using MFA. 
Arcada recommends using an authenticator application such as Microsoft Authenticator for MFA.

If you still have access to your old phone

Before resetting or disposing of your old phone:

  1. Sign in to the Microsoft myaccount page with your Arcada account.
  2. Go to Security info.
  3. Add MFA on your new phone:
    • Select Add sign-in method.
    • Choose Microsoft Authenticator (or your preferred authenticator app).
    • Follow the instructions and scan the QR code using your new phone.
  4. Verify that MFA works on the new phone.
  5. Remove the old phone from your Security info list.

This ensures that you can continue signing in without interruption.

If you no longer have access to your old phone

If your phone has been lost, broken, replaced, or you cannot approve MFA requests, you can reset your MFA registration yourself using strong electronic identification.

  1. Visit the Arcada MFA reset page
  2. Sign in using a strong identification method, such as your online banking credentials.
  3. Follow the instructions to reset your MFA registration.
  4. After the reset is completed, sign in to Microsoft myaccount page using your Arcada account.
  5. Configure MFA again by adding your new phone and registering Microsoft Authenticator or another supported authenticator application as described here.  

Need help?

If you experience problems with MFA registration or cannot complete the reset process, please contact Arcada IT Support.