Multi-Factor Authentication - JHU

As of May, 2016, JHU's Central IT is beginning to roll-out new security protection measures for several of JHU's services in the form of the JHU myIT Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). For example, both your online JHU W2 and Employee Self Service (ESS) in MyJH use it. ("Two factor authentication" is a type of MFA you might have heard of before.)

The new JHU VPN system from JHU requires MFA as well.

We will see more and more JHU sites/services requiring MFA, and you will need to configure your MFA access.

For more details on JHU's implementation of MFA and and instructions on how to configure and use it, please visit WSE IT's documentation on the subject at:

http://wseit.engineering.jhu.edu/get-help/multi-factor-authentication

JHU also has a page discussing MFA (including instructions) at:

http://www.it.johnshopkins.edu/services/directoryservices/jhea/MFA

Changing your default MFA authentication Method

By default, the MFA authentication process seems to make texting your phone the way JHU provides you your MFA code. Some users might want to change this from receiving a text from JHU to using an authenticator app (e.g., WinAuth on PC or a similar app on a phone, for instance) instead.

To change your default authentication method, simply log into https://aka.ms/mfasetup Once logged in, you'll see a list of your authentication options, and you can change the default option to using a Hardware Token (Authenticator App) instead of the Phone (text) option.

NOTE: If you have any issues with setting up Multi-factor authentication, you should contact JHU IT's support helpdesk by phone at 410-516-HELP.