Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication or MFA is part of a broader effort to increase SeattleU cybersecurity readiness to provide additional protection to university systems and applications used campus-wide. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of an outside-party gaining access to internal systems or compromising accounts by requiring an additional authentication step at the time of login. 

What is MFA? 

MFA uses a known secondary device (your cell phone) to verify your Seattle University account credentials when accessing the systems used to perform work-related tasks e.g., Colleague, SU email and more. It prevents anyone but you from accessing your account, even if they know your password. 

When is MFA Required?

MFA is required for all alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Critical systems, such as VPN and mySeattleU, will prompt for MFA once every 7 days. Other applications may have a different frequency for how often you are prompted. Please review the MFA Frequency Settings Guide for a more detailed list of how you might be prompted. In addition, each device you use, will have its own separate time frame for prompting for MFA.

To learn more, watch the video below or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.