Cybersecurity Awareness Month takes place during October each year. The theme for 2023 is “Secure Our World”. With this blog post, our focus is on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts, making it harder for hackers to get in.
What is MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication adds a second layer of security to your account to ensure that your account stays safe, even if someone else knows your password. This will mean that, for certain services, including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, etc. you will be prompted to provide more information in order to authenticate your identity as a Stellenbosch University student or staff member.
What are the benefits of MFA?
- MFA improves the University’s security by adding another layer an intruder would have to penetrate.
- MFA protects your University identity by ensuring no one else can act on your behalf even if your password has been compromised.
- MFA safeguards you against security attacks.
- With implementing MFA your information is protected which is one of the ways to increase the University’s reputation and trustworthiness.
Which authentication method is recommended?
The Microsoft Authenticator application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store (Android devices) and the App Store (Apple devices). Here’s a guide on how to set up Microsoft Authenticator: How to set up Microsoft Authenticator (1)
WATCH: A helpful guide on MFA
Be aware. Be secure. Be cyber smart.
