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
Table of Contents
What is VCFA SSO and why was it implemented?
Essentially, VCFA Single Sign-On (SSO) lets you sign in to VCFA and CalArts applications with one username and password. Once authenticated to VCFA SSO, you just click on your desired application and are automatically logged in.
VCFA SSO utilizes a more secure means of authenticating. This extra layer of security is accomplished through a second form of authentication in addition to a password. This is referred to as 2-factor authentication and it has become the industry standard.
We pivoted to this system for three simple reasons: enhanced security and privacy, functionality and better user support.
Security - 2-factor authentication adds another layer of security on top of your password which can be cracked or stolen. When logging in, after entering your password you will be prompted for a second authentication method to verify your identity. You may choose to do this by having a verification code sent to you via text or email. We have also enabled authentication through apps such as Google Authenticator or QuickLaunch for those who use those applications.
You will not be prompted for the second form of authentication on every login if you check the "remember device" box. While you will be prompted the first time you log in with a new device, it will only be required for "suspicious" logins afterwords. For example, if you log in from VCFA campus at 3:00PM and then from central Florida at 3:05PM, you would be asked to verify your identity using the second form of authentication.
Functionality - VCFA SSO centralizes authentication for VCFA and CalArts applications that you have access to. For integrated applications, you log in to VCFA SSO for access to all these applications and do not have to use a separate password for different services. The following systems are accessible through VCFA SSO: Zoom, Paycom, myVCFA, and Google (includes Gmail, Drive, etc.).
Once signed in to your VCFA email you are able to switch over to your other Google Applications (Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.)
User Support - VCFA SSO allows users to reset their own password, connect to single sign-on services with one click, and have better control over their security preferences. To reset your own password, simply select "forgot password" from the login screen.
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 as provided to you via email.
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 have submitted your new password, you will be asked to sign in. Enter your username and password and hit Sign in. You will be prompted to enter your password again, after which you will see the Account Recovery Settings page.
You will be asked to add at least two different account recovery methods: a personal email address and one other method (mobile phone, authenticator app, or YubiKey).
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 configure 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 choose to check Trust this device, so that you will not be prompted for verification on the same device in the future (unless you change locations).
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.
Please note that if you are logging in to the Zoom app, you will need to choose SSO as your login method and use calarts.zoom.us as the company domain. To access your account settings and Zoom recordings or modify upcoming Zoom meetings, you can go through VCFA SSO and click on 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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