Student Notices

Multifactor Authentication and Managing Cyber Threats

Posted Thursday, March 9, 2023


The UWI St. Augustine Campus, like many other organisations, has systems in place to protect its users and information from cyber threats.

Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a best-practice security measure for protecting online services. MFA requires users to verify their identity through a second method (e.g. text message) before logging into a secure system.

Sometimes known as two-step verification, MFA adds an extra layer of protection to help prevent hackers and spammers from accessing your email and account — even if they have your password.  In the coming months, MFA will become mandatory to access resources like student email. Read on for more information on MFA and how you can set it up.

Which systems will require MFA?

MFA is being introduced to the Microsoft 365 services, which include Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, etc. Eventually, all student services will require MFA.

What are the benefits of MFA?

With MFA enabled on your account:

  1. Access to your student email will be more secure
  2. The number of SPAM messages you receive will be reduced
  3. The number of phishing emails will also be greatly reduced

How to set up your device for MFA:

The following resource will help you configure your device for MFA:

If you encounter any issues setting up your MFA, please contact servicedesk@sta.uwi.edu.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to work together to ensure the safety of our campus's systems and its users. Campus IT Services (CITS)