Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
What is MFA?
MFA adds a second layer of security to your login. In addition to your password, you’ll verify your identity using a phone call, text message, or authenticator app.
Your MFA Options Include:
- Authenticator app (recommended)
- SMS text message
- Voice call to your phone
- Hardware token card (available upon request through the Help Desk).
Pierce College recommends using an authenticator app, such as Microsoft Authenticator or Okta Verify. We have provided instructions for setting up your authenticator app for the first time.
What is MFA used for?
To better protect your account and personal information, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will soon be required to access Microsoft 365 tools, including:
- Outlook (student email)
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- OneDrive
- Microsoft Teams
- Chromebooks borrowed from the library
Setting Up Authenticator App MFA With Your Student Email Account
Before You Start
This process will work best using two devices. Follow the instructions below using a computer or tablet along with your smartphone (iOS or Android). Have your phone close by as you will need it for successful MFA registration. You can also use the computers in the library or computer lab.
Be sure to give yourself time to complete this process. These systems will “time out” if questions are not answered promptly and you will need to start again.
Screens and prompts may vary slightly from the examples shown in this guide. Differences may occur due to device type, operating system, browser version, or individual account settings. If your experience looks different, follow the general steps provided or contact the Help Desk for assistance.
Get Help with MFA
Need assistance? Please contact the STAT or the IT Helpdesk and we will assist you with questions you may have.
STAT
In addition to in-person assistance, STAT is available by phone or email Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Phone: 253-964-6310 (Fort Steilacoom) or 253-840-8437 (Puyallup)
Email: STAT@pierce.ctc.edu
In-Person Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Locations: OLY 301 (Fort Steilacoom), CTR 272 (Puyallup)
IT Helpdesk
The IT Helpdesk will have extended service hours from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. on November 3, 4 and 5.
Phone: 253-964-6373
Email: Helpdesk@pierce.ctc.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Locations: CAS 270 (Fort Steilacoom), CTR 152 (Puyallup)
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
Start by signing into your Microsoft My Sign-Ins. Go to mysignins.microsoft.com and enter your Pierce student email address, then click Next.
Enter your password and click Sign In.
If you see this screen after successfully inputting your password, click Yes only if you are using your personal computer. If you are using a computer that is not yours, click No.
NOTE: If you have previously set up an MFA option for your student account (text, call, email, security question), you will be prompted to use the method you have already configured. You can change the default method after an authentication app has been set.
After successful sign in, you will be at your Recent activity dashboard.
From here, click on Security Info.
Here you will see any previously entered security info for sign ins. Click on Add sign-in method.
Next click Microsoft Authenticator and continue.
The default authenticator app is the Microsoft Authenticator app, though other authenticator apps are available such as the Okta Verify app. If you wish to use another authenticator app, select Microsoft Authenticator from this menu and then click “I want to use a different authenticator app.”
We have provided instructions for Microsoft Authenticator and Okta Verify.
Once you have added an authenticator to your account, we recommend choosing a preferred authentication method.
Microsoft Authenticator App Instructions
When you see this screen, click Download now to download the Microsoft Authenticator app (if you haven’t already done so). You will be redirected to your smartphone app store (Apple iOS or Google Play Store).
NOTE: It is recommended to log into PierceWIFI using your Pierce student account if you are downloading the app on campus.
After it is downloaded on your device, click Next.
Click Next to set up your Pierce student email account to the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone, tap the QR code icon in the lower right corner of your screen, then scan the QR code with your phone. After your account is added, click next.
Enter the code you see on this screen into the app on your phone.
You will then see this message in your web browser showing successful registration of your student account for the Microsoft Authenticator app. Click Next.
You can now use the Microsoft Authenticator app when logging into your Pierce student email account, OneDrive, Office 365, or Chromebook borrowed from the library. If prompted, click to allow your smartphone to send you timely notifications for MFA.
Next, we recommend choosing a preferred authentication method.
Choose Your Preferred Authentication Method (Recommended)
Back in your mysignins.microsoft.com dashboard, you can find the default sign in method drop down. Here you can set your preferred MFA method. The dashboard displays your currently configured and active sign in methods for your account.
The default method is shown above the list of your active sign in options. We strongly recommend you set your default method to an authenticator app going forward as other options will not be available.
To change an option, click on the Change link located to the right of the option to choose either the Microsoft Authenticator app or the Okta Verify app.
For Microsoft Authenticator: Select App based authentication – notifications
For Okta Verify or other authenticator apps: Select App based authentication or hardware token – code
Please remember to have your smartphone available the next time you sign in to systems using your Pierce student email account credentials! Going forward you will need to use this device for MFA authentication. Student accounts will need to reauthenticate every 14 days (as long as you are using the same computer and web browser). If a different computer or browser is used, you'll be prompted to authenticate again.