Washington State University will no longer support phone-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) — SMS (text messaging) and voice call — effective March 25. Starting at 8 a.m. on that date, WSU accounts that rely solely on SMS and voice call authentication for MFA will experience difficulties.
Office Hours
Join Crimson Service Desk’s new MFA office hours via Zoom! Crimson Service Desk is assisting with updating your MFA settings.
Each open session can be joined at any time during the identified time slot and will focus on the MFA support topics for that time.
Zoom Open Session Times (Every Day, Monday through Friday)
Okta Verify:
- 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Google Authenticator:
- 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
- 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Security Key or Biometric Authenticator:
- 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Action Required
To avoid access delays or issues, users must update their security settings by visiting account.wsu.edu and selecting the “Manage Security Methods” option. Users with accounts relying solely on the text or voice call authentication method should set up at least one of the supported MFA methods listed below:
- Okta Verify (Recommended): Approve a push notification via this
mobile app - Okta Verify for Desktop: Approve a notification via this desktop app
- Google Authenticator: View a time-based one-time passcode via this mobile app
- FIDO2 Security Key: Insert a physical, specialized key into the device to authenticate
- Biometric Authenticator: Authenticate via fingerprint or facial recognition
For added security, WSU recommends setting up two or more factors. Once a new method is successfully set up, users are encouraged to remove the “Phone” security method immediately.
For more information about MFA at WSU, please visit the MFA resources page.
This change is part of WSU’s ongoing efforts to enhance account security by discontinuing text messaging and call authentication methods, which have become increasingly vulnerable to security threats. As a result, WSU’s MFA vendor will no longer offer these options.
For assistance, contact the Crimson Service Desk at crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu or 509-335-4357.