Have you protected your university account? As part of an ongoing security project, we are reminding all staff to secure their Microsoft 365 account with MFA.

As you may be aware, from previous communications, Digital and Technology Services, in partnership with the Chief Information Security Officer, are working to improve our digital security and securing Microsoft 365 services is the next step. 

This is a necessary step to not only reduce the risk of cyber and phishing attacks but to help protect and safeguard the university network as well as your own data and identity. 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is already in use for services such as VPN and Windows Virtual Desktop and will soon be required to approve access to Microsoft 365 services. We have updated our policy to improve the user experience for staff (and students) who use a university managed Windows 10 device.  

• If you use a compliant (up-to-date with security policies) university Windows 10 device on or off campus, you shouldn’t be prompted for MFA. 
• However, if you use a different device on or off campus you will be prompted for authentication every 90 days. 

We encourage you to adopt this extra level of security before it becomes compulsory for everyone in the coming weeks.  

Set up MFA and secure your account early by following these steps: 

1. Set up MFA if you haven’t already, visit the DTS website for instructions 
2. Submit the secure M365 form to enable MFA for Microsoft 365 

After you sign up to use MFA with Microsoft services, you may need to approve authentication a few times for each app and device that you use. If you use an email app that is not Outlook, you may need to remove your university account and re-add it to approve the authentication. 

Visit the Securing 365 SharePoint site for further guidance and FAQs. 

We are currently working to improve our guidance pages and there will be further communications in October.  

Thank you for your support.