NU SSO | Multi-Factor Authentication – Students

The purpose of this document is to provide National University student Single Sign-On users with
instructions for how to configure and use Multi-Factor Authentication.

Contents
Multi-Factor Authentication Overview................................................................................................................ 1
Available MFA Factors .......................................................................................................................................... 1
Okta Verify ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Google Authenticator ........................................................................................................................................ 2
SMS/Text Message Verification ....................................................................................................................... 2
Voice Call Authentication.................................................................................................................................. 2
Multi-Factor Authentication Setup Process Overview ....................................................................................... 3
Okta Verify ............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Setup Using QR Code ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Manual configuration ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Google Authenticator ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Setup Using QR Code ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Manual Configuration ....................................................................................................................................... 5
SMS/Text Message Verification ........................................................................................................................... 6
Voice Call Authentication...................................................................................................................................... 7
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................................... 7

Multi-Factor Authentication Overview

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an additional authentication mechanism used in addition to your
username and password in order to verify a user’s identity. Because National University uses Okta as its
SSO solution for its software systems, some of which contain sensitive financial, educational, and
personal information, we want to ensure that the users accessing these systems are authorized to do so.

Available MFA Factors

There are currently 4 MFA factors available to students. Okta Verify, Google Authenticator, SMS/Text
Message Verification, and Voice Call Authentication. Below is an overview of each factor. Detailed setup
steps for each will additionally be provided. While only one additional factor is required, multiple factors
can, and should be setup for redundancy should one of your factors become unavailable.

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NU SSO | Multi-Factor Authentication – Students
Okta Verify
Okta Verify is mobile app available for iPhone, and Android. Okta Verify is like a standard authenticator
app such as Google Authenticator, but it is exclusive to the Okta platform. Every 30 seconds a random 6-
digit code is generated. After providing your username and password, you will be asked for the current 6-
digit code. Enter the current code to complete the factor challenge. Once downloaded and configured, this
factor can work offline and requires no data.

Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is mobile app available for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows devices.
Google Authenticator is a standard one-time password (OTP) protocol authenticator app that many other
sites and services support. Every 30 seconds a random 6-digit code is generated. After providing your
username and password, you will be asked for the current 6-digit code. Enter the current code to
complete the factor challenge. Once downloaded and configured, this factor can work offline and requires
no data.

SMS/Text Message Verification

With SMS/Text Message Verification, after providing your username and password, a text message will
be sent to the phone number specified during setup with a randomly generated code. Enter the code to
complete the factor challenge. Text message and data rates may apply.

Voice Call Authentication

With Voice Call Authentication, after providing your username and password, a phone call to the phone
number specified during setup will provide a randomly generated code. Enter the code to complete the
factor challenge. Voice call and data rates may apply.

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Multi-Factor Authentication Setup Process Overview
• Login to SSO by navigating to https://login.nu.edu.
• After performing the initial account setup process the “Extra verification is required for your
account” page will be displayed.
• Select a desired MFA factor to configure.
• Complete the factor setup steps.
o Detailed enrollment steps for each available factor will be provided below.
• Once a factor is setup, the authentication process is simply providing your username and
password, with the addition of providing your second factor.
Note: You can forego MFA prompts for up to 7 days after successfully authenticating in with your factor.
To do this, check the “Do not challenge me on this device for the next 7 days” box when completing
the MFA challenge. This is exclusive to the device and browser session in which it was saved.

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Okta Verify
To begin the setup process, select Setup under the Okta Verify extra verification option:
• From your mobile device, follow the instructions to download and install the Okta Verify app, and
then click Next.
• Configure the Okta Verify app to link it to your Okta account.
o This can be done by scanning a QR code or manually entering a code.

Setup Using QR Code

• On your phone, start the Okta Verify app, tap Add Account on iOS, or + on Android.
• Scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen using the device camera.
• Enter the generated code in the setup prompt to complete the enrollment process.
Manual configuration
• On your mobile device, start the Okta Verify app, then tap Add Account on iOS, or + on Android.
• From the barcode page, tap No barcode?.
• In the Okta Account field, enter your SSO username.
o 9-digit@student.nu.edu
• From your computer, click the Can’t scan the QR code link to obtain the secret key which you
enter in the Secret Key field on your mobile device.
• Tap Save.
• Enter the generated code in the setup prompt to complete the enrollment process.

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NU SSO | Multi-Factor Authentication – Students
Google Authenticator
To begin the setup process, select Setup under the Google Authenticator extra verification option:
• Select your mobile device, follow the instructions to download and install Google Authenticator,
and then click Next.
• Configure Google Authenticator to link it to your Okta account.
o This can be done by scanning a QR code or manually entering a code.

Setup Using QR Code

• On your mobile device, start Google Authenticator and select Scan a barcode.
• Scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen using the device camera.
• Click Next.
• Enter the generated code in the setup prompt to complete the enrollment process.

Manual Configuration
• On your mobile device, start Google Authenticator and select Enter a provided key.
• In the Account name field, enter your SSO username.
o For example, 9-digit@student.nu.edu
• On your computer, click the Can’t scan link so that you can access the secret key and enter it in the
Key field.
• Click Done.
• Enter the generated code in the setup prompt to complete the enrollment process.

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SMS/Text Message Verification
To begin the setup process, select Setup under the SMS Authentication extra verification option:
• Enter the mobile phone number where you want your security tokens sent.
• Click Send Code.

• You will receive a text message containing a verification code to the number specified.
• Enter the verification code that was sent to your phone.
• Click Verify.
Note: Standard text messaging and data rates may apply for this method.

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Voice Call Authentication
To begin the setup process, select Setup under the Voice Call Authentication extra verification option:
• Enter the mobile phone number where you want your security tokens sent.
• Click Call.

• You will receive an automated voice call that will provide a verification code to the number
specified.
• Enter the verification code provided by the automated voice call.
• Click Verify.
Note: Standard voice call and data rates may apply for this method.

Troubleshooting
For additional information or assistance, please contact the IT Helpdesk at (858) 309-3580 or helpdesk@nu.edu.