Over the summer of 2021, the UIS implemented ‘Multi-Factor Authentication’ (MFA) for many of its services, and it was rolled out to all users by 1st October 2021. 

What is MFA?

You may already use MFA for personal banking. If you are making a purchase on a web site and have to confirm your identity using an app or a text message, that is MFA. MFA for UIS services is similar: when you log in with your UIS password, you may need to confirm your identity by other means, as well. The options for doing this are explained below.

What do I need MFA for?

MFA is used for all the UIS’s Microsoft services, including Exchange Online, Teams and Office 365. The first time you log into one of these services on a new computer or phone, you will need to confirm your identity by another means, as well. You should only need to do this once for each computer/phone.

MFA does not affect the use of Hermes e-mail. However, as part of a separate UIS project, anyone still using Hermes will need to migrate to Exchange Online before the end of 2021.

What are the options for MFA?

There are several ways to confirm your identity under MFA. We recommend the following authentication methods, in order of preference:

• Microsoft Authenticator app (if you already use another app, you should also be able to use that)
• Text message
• Phone call to a mobile phone
• Phone call to a landline

We recommend setting up multiple methods, if you can, to help avoid getting locked out of your account by accident.

How can I get help with MFA?

If you have trouble setting up your authentication methods, or if you have any other questions, see the UIS help pages about MFA, and if you need to ask a question, you can contact the UIS on a special email address: mfa.support@uis.cam.ac.uk.