UIS is planning to add multi-factor authentication (MFA) to Raven accounts late in the Lent Term 2023 as part of our work to improve security on University accounts.
What is MFA?
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to the process of logging in to a system by prompting you to provide a second form of identification – for example, entering a code sent to your mobile phone.
This means that even if someone gets hold of your Raven password, they won’t be able to access University systems and data because they won’t have your phone. We added MFA to University Microsoft accounts last year, so most University staff and students will have already set up their second factors for authentication.
What will change
University staff and students will see a different login screen for Raven. It will be the login screen you use when logging into your University Microsoft accounts to access, for example, your @cam email. If you have already set up second factors you will be able to use them to authenticate. If you haven’t, you’ll be asked to set up your second factor the first time you log in after the change. You can set it up in advance to avoid any delays when logging in.
Once set up, you’ll need to use your second factor when you:
- log in using a device you have not used before
- change your password.
‘Raven for Life’ exclusion
Websites and applications that allow ‘Raven for Life’ users to log in will continue to use the legacy Raven login screen, and will not ask these users to authenticate with a second factor.
Next steps
We will provide more details in the New Year, including a date for the change and screenshots of the old and new login screens.