Coming soon: 2-factor authentication for students
31 Jan 2022
From Wednesday 9 March 2022, all students (whether on or off campus) will be required to use 2-factor authentication to log in to Blackboard, University email and Microsoft 365.
Why are we making this change?
Passwords are increasingly easy to compromise. They can often be stolen, guessed, or hacked – you might not even know if someone is accessing your account.
2-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security by requiring two types of information before you can log in. These two types include entering your password and then confirming your login, usually through an app on your phone or through a different device that you have with you.
Our 2-factor authentication service is provided by a company called Duo and is already used by all staff and postgraduate research students. Duo has shown great success in helping us stay safe and increasing the University’s security.
What next?
From mid-February, students will be sent communications from IT Services with further information and instructions to register for 2-factor authentication, using a smartphone.
If a student doesn’t have a smartphone, or has specific needs that they wish to discuss, please direct them to contact the IT Support Centre at the earliest opportunity by calling 0161 306 5544. You can also direct students to one of the in-person IT support desks if they are on campus.
All students will need to register with Duo before 9 March, to continue to access Blackboard, University email, and Microsoft 365.
More information is available on the IT Services website: