A: Penn State’s Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) was created to provide an additional layer of security when accessing specific data and services such as the Penn State Access Account. With the release of Project LionPath, Identity Services at Penn State has introduced a new two-factor authentication service to further protect sensitive information.
Duo Security is a cloud-based 2FA that is currently active for systems in which certain faculty and staff have access to perform specific duties. Current systems utilizing Duo include LionPath screens that have been released, and Talisma, a system used by academic advisers. Additional units throughout the University have also incorporated Duo as a 2FA to access their websites.
Currently, faculty and staff who access ANGEL and/or IBIS are familiar with the 2FA known as Vasco that utilizes a token device. Vasco is still active for these systems, and faculty and staff should continue to use their individual tokens when accessing these platforms.
In the future, 2FA will be required for all online applications behind WebAccess, including Webmail, ANGEL and the Employee Self-Service Information Center (ESSIC). However, faculty and staff have the option to enroll in 2FA before this activation takes place.
To enroll in 2FA via Duo, visit http://bit.ly/1KitNwK. Users have the option of registering multiple devices as part of 2FA, including smartphones, tablets, cellular phones without app capabilities, landline phones and tokens. Enrolling in 2FA before a University-wide activation will help to eliminate any connections issues to Penn State systems and services during that time.
Faculty and staff in the College of Education may contact Mary Pearce, administrative assistant and area security representative, at mjp36@psu.edu with questions regarding accessing certain systems. For more information about Penn State’s Two-Factor Authentication system, visit http://bit.ly/1MyZ0If.
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