CalArts IT is pleased to debut a new 2-Factor Authentication system for the Vermont College of Fine Arts, VCFA SSO. This article will cover what you will use it for, how it works, and why we are introducing this system. The CAIT team is here to help so please reach out to us if you have questions or need assistance.
Contact us by Email: cait@calarts.edu or by Phone: 661-253-7887
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What is VCFA SSO and why was it implemented?
VCFA Single Sign-On (SSO) makes logging in simple and secure. With one username and password, you can access all VCFA and CalArts applications. Once signed in, just click the app you need—no extra logins required.
To protect your account, SSO uses two-factor authentication (2FA). After entering your password, you’ll confirm your identity with a second step, like a code sent to your phone, an email, or an authentication app such as Google Authenticator or QuickLaunch.
This extra layer of security makes it far harder for anyone else to access your account, even if they have your password. We adopted this system for three key reasons: stronger security, better functionality, and improved user support.
If you check the “remember device” box when logging in, you won’t need to go through two-factor authentication every single time.
Here’s how it works:
•The first time you log in from a new device, you’ll be asked for the second form of authentication.
•After that, you’ll only be prompted again if the system detects something unusual—like logging in from two locations far apart within minutes.
Example: If you log in from VCFA’s campus at 3:00 PM, then from central Florida at 3:05 PM, the system will flag this as suspicious and ask you to verify your identity again.
User Support - VCFA SSO makes it simple to manage your account. You can reset your own password anytime by clicking “Forgot Password” on the login screen, connect to all your single sign-on apps with just one click, and easily adjust your security settings to fit your needs.
Once signed in to your VCFA email you are able to switch over to your other Google Applications (Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.)
Getting started
Head on over to VCFA SSO: https://sso.vcfa.edu and click on the Account Activation link at the bottom of the login box, below the Sign in button.
When prompted, enter your first name and hit Next.
When prompted, enter your last name and hit Next.
When prompted, enter your VCFA ID (student ID) and hit Submit. Ensure that you enter 9 digits, removing any dashes or spaces. If you are a student, the VCFA ID is included in the billing email sent to your personal email address. If you are a new employee, the VCFA ID will be provided to you once your manager submits the VCFA Employee New Hire Account Creation Request.
You will be prompted to create a new password, please follow the guidelines provided by clicking the "i" symbol to the right of the password box. Hit Submit when ready.
Please make note of your username which will be displayed on the new password screen below the green circle.
Once you’ve set your new password, you’ll need to sign in with your username and password. You’ll then be asked to enter your password again, which will take you to the Account Recovery Settings page.
Here, you’ll add at least two recovery methods: a personal email address and one other option, such as your mobile phone number, an authenticator app, or a YubiKey. These recovery methods make it much easier to regain access to your account if you ever forget your password or get locked out.
Enter your personal email address and hit Verify to receive a verification code.
Once you have received the code, enter the code in the provided box and hit Verify.
Choose a second account recovery method from mobile phone, authenticator app, or YubiKey and follow the on-screen steps to configure those.
If you wish to use mobile phone as your second account recovery option, click on the Phone Recovery tab to setup a mobile phone for account recovery via text messages. Select the country from the drop-down menu, enter your phone number, and hit Verify.
Enter the verification code received via text message and hit Submit.
If you wish to use an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator as your secondary account recovery option, click on the Authenticator tab and then hit Get Started.
Read the instructions on the screen and hit Next.
Open your authenticator app (for example Google Authenticator) on your phone and scan the QR code by hitting the plus sign on the bottom right corner.
To use VCFA SSO, head on over to https://sso.vcfa.edu, enter your username and password, and hit Sign In.
You will be prompted for Email security verification. Click on your personal email.
You can check “Trust this device” to skip verification on that device in the future. You’ll only be asked to verify again if you log in from a different location.
Check your email for a verification code under the subject "VCFA SSO Verification Code". Copy the verification code and hit Submit.
You will be asked for additional security verification and the options presented depend on what you configured during your First Time User setup.
Click Send me a Text Message.
Click on your phone number to continue.
Check your text messages for the verification code, text will include "Your verification code for the VCFA SSO is". Copy the verification code and hit Submit.
Click Use Authenticator.
Check your authenticator app and enter the 6 digit code. Hit Submit.
Once you are logged in, you will see the My Apps screen with several cards, each taking you to a different application. Click on the application you wish to access.
If you’re logging into the Zoom app, select SSO as your login method and enter calarts.zoom.us as the company domain. To manage your Zoom account—like viewing recordings or editing upcoming meetings—just log in through VCFA SSO and click the Zoom card under My Apps.
To reset your password, head on over to VCFA SSO: https://sso.vcfa.edu and click Forgot Password.
Enter your username and hit Submit.
You will be provided with options for resetting your password, depending on what you have chosen during the account activation. If you did not configure a mobile phone, then you will only be provided with the option to reset your password via email verification. Click on your preferred verification method.
Whether you chose email or text message, enter the verification code provided and hit Submit.
Enter a new password and hit Submit. You can view password requirements by clicking the eye symbol on the right side of the password field.
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