Multi-factor authentication will help Dawson’s cyber security
MFA is the term for when the bank or other websites ask you to provide more information once you have already entered your log in and password. A popular method of MFA is to send a code by text message to your mobile phone and ask you to enter that code within a short time period.
Dawson will be phasing in MFA starting in mid-June. “The chances of being hacked are greatly diminished by using MFA,” said Dawson Network Security Analyst Henry Yang. “According to Microsoft, your account is more than 99.9% less likely to be compromised if you use MFA.”
To be prepared for MFA, Dawson employees can:
- Download an app called Microsoft Authenticator on their smart phones or tablets
- Or install another authenticator (such as Google Authenticator) on their computers
- Or request a hardware token device by contacting Help Desk: helpdesk@dawsoncollege.qc.ca
“It is easier to use the Microsoft Authenticator app,” said Henry. “You can simply click approve or deny when it is asking for authentication to continue using your account. As an alternative to the app, hardware token devices are available by requesting one from Help Desk.”
Implementing MFA at Dawson is part of Dawson’s Cyber Security plan.
Further reading recommended by Henry for those interested in knowing more about MFA:
