Securing Our Campus with Multi-Factor Authentication

Art Miller

Multi-factor authentication will help secure UARK data.

As part of an ongoing commitment to secure the data of this university, multi-factor authentication will be activated for all faculty, staff and student workers this spring.

Multi-factor authentication provides an additional layer of security that makes it difficult for unauthorized users to access services, applications and data. This method also reduces the chances that a UARK account will be compromised by phishing scams, automated bots and targeted attacks.

With this type of authentication, access to UARK accounts will be verified by combining something you know (username and password) with something you have (a trusted device, like a phone).

When logging into a service like UARK email or Blackboard, a six-digit code is sent using an authenticator app, text or phone message. Once you are verified, you will be able to stay logged in and access UARK services. 

Multi-factor authentication will be required for most online services, including: Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Teams, etc.), Adobe, UAConnect, Blackboard Learn, Box and more. View a complete list of applications.

"As we approach the implementation of Workday, the entire University of Arkansas System needed a better solution for securing our data," Domingo Castillo, chief information security officer, said. The multi-factor approach provides a way for us to protect both the university's data and the personal data of our students, faculty and staff."

To help educate our campus for the launch of multi-factor, IT Services will host informational events on March 3, 10 and 18 at the IT Services Union Help Desk.

Additional instructions will be provided at a later date regarding the multi-factor registration process.

Learn more about multi-factor authentication on the project page.