Multi-factor Authentication

 

Identity theft is an easy, low-risk, high-reward type of crime and a threat to everyone. It is the fastest-growing type of crime and is now more profitable than drug-related crimes. From 2013 to 2014, the number of successful breaches went up by 27.5 percent. The malicious actors are winning the war. Anti-virus systems and advanced firewalls are necessary security elements, as are vulnerability tests. Without user authentication, though, the front door is wide open to intruders. Employees from many companies are already accustomed to authenticating themselves in their personal lives, as providers of online services like home banking, gaming, social media, and email have all adopted mobile-based tools to effectively authenticate their users when accessing their systems. Because of the potential risks involving everyone throughout the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee District Attorneys General have implemented MFA (Multi-factor Authentication) on accounts using Office 365. Instructions for making this transition of your account to MFA as simple as possible are below.

Multi-factor Authentication Setup 1. Open your web browser and go to https://portal.office.com/ and sign into your account with your state email address and computer password.

2. If you are already logged into the Office 365 portal you can click the following link to be directed to your Security info page - https://aka.ms/setupsecurityinfo/  You may also go to - https://mysignins.microsoft.com/ to complete the MFA setup process. 3. It is in your best interest to add your mobile number and personal email address to the list as a backup method and for security purposes. If at any time you do not have access to your smartphone and need to use Office 365 resources, you will have additional methods to verify your identity by adding additional methods to verify your account.       4. The most secure method to protect your account from criminals is to use your smart phone and install the Microsoft Authenticator application.     To install the Microsoft Authenticator application on your iPhone go to the App Store and Search for Microsoft Authenticator.     To install the Microsoft Authenticator application on your Android phone go to the Google Play and Search for Microsoft Authenticator.     Once the Microsoft Authenticator application is installed on your smartphone, while logged in the portal from your desktop/laptop computer (https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info), click the +Add method button.     Select the Authenticator app option from the drop down menu, then click the Add button.     Click the Next button.     On your smartphone select Scan QR code.     On your desktop/laptop computer you will see the QR code needing to be scanned from your smartphone. Use your smartphone camera to scan the code.     Allow the Authenticator app to access your camera. If you are unable to use your smartphone camera, you will need to manually enter the 9-digit code and type the full URL for activation. If that is the case, click the Can't scan image? image shown above.     Confirm activation on your desktop/laptop computer. Wait for the activation to finish configuring your smartphone and when completed, select the Mobile app from the dropdown menu and click the Contact me button on your desktop/laptop computer.     Approve the notification Microsoft will be sending you.     Select your @tndagc.org account on your smartphone.     Approve sign-in from your smartphone and type the One-time password code on your desktop/laptop computer.     Reminder Whether you have a smartphone or not, it is in your best interest to add your mobile number and personal email address to the list as a backup method for security purposes. If you do not have access to your mobile phone and need to use Office 365 resources, you will have additional methods to verify your identity by adding additional methods to verify your account.     If you have any issues during the Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) process, please submit a ticket for assistance at https://dash.tndagc.org or call (615) 253-5725.