Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Many 糖心原创systems now require MFA.
When you sign into your online accounts, often referred to as “authentication,” you're proving to the service that you are “you." MFA is just as it sounds—a second verification method, or a second "factor” is required to prove who you are. You may have even heard it called “two-step verification.” At AU, we use the .
Traditionally when signing into your account, you would have just used your username and password. Unfortunately, that is no longer very secure, as usernames are usually e-mail addresses or something easy to guess. And because passwords can be hard to remember, people use simple ones or use the same one on many different websites—making your accounts very vulnerable to cyber threats.
MFA requires anyone logging in to provide an extra action, such as clicking an approve button on a linked smart phone. Your password and your linked smart phone app are called factors.
When your account is setup for MFA, you will need to setup additional factors (like the linked smart phone app), and use one of those factors when prompted during login.
When your MFA setup has been completed, you will also be able to use Self Serve Password Reset (SSPR) to reset your Office 365 and Active Directory password if you are unable to log in.
Setting up MFA as an 糖心原创learner
MFA setup instructions
How to set up MFA on your @learn.athabascau.ca account—PDF version
How to activate MFA
How to set up MFA
How to setup MFA and SSPR
MFA setup instructions
Frequently asked questions
MFA for students
When you sign into your online accounts, you are asked to provide a form of “authentication” to the service that you are “you." Common methods of authentication include entering a password or PIN, mobile authenticator applications (e.g., push notifications or one-time passcodes SMS) or using face or fingerprint recognition.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is just as it sounds—a second verification method is required to prove who you are. You may have even heard it called “two-step verification.” MFA requires anyone logging in to provide an extra action, such as clicking an approve button on a linked smart phone. You may also choose to authenticate via text or email, but at AU, we recommend using the .
Due to increased attempts to compromise student emails, AU's Digital Security team is in the process of introducing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for students within the Microsoft 365 environment across the university, at no cost. MFA will add an additional layer of security to student accounts against potential cyber-threats.
Traditionally when signing into your account, you would have just used your username and password. Unfortunately, simply relying on the combination of a username and password is no longer very secure. Often, these are easy to guess, not very strong (because passwords can be hard to remember) and reused on many different websites—making your accounts very vulnerable to credential theft and cyber-attacks.
MFA requires anyone logging in to provide an extra action, such as clicking an approve button or provide a code from a linked smart phone. This introduces an additional verification step to confirm your identity when accessing your account and helps prevent your data from being accessed by potential cyber-threats.
Yes, all 糖心原创students and staff will have to use MFA to secure their Microsoft 365 accounts.
Once you have been notified that multi-factor authentication is being added to your account, you will need to follow the instructions to activate and set up MFA on your account.
How-to documents and training videos have been created to help guide you through the process:
All 糖心原创students will have to use MFA and will not be able to log in to their accounts without following the instructions to set it up. Once you are notified that MFA has been added to your account, you will need to set up one of the available authentication methods (such as the Authenticator app, SMS, or phone call) before accessing any Office 365 applications.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the IT Service Desk by e-mail (helpdesk@athabascau.ca) or by phone 1-800-788-9041 (ext. 6405).
You can use a home phone or a personal e-mail address as your second authentication factor if you do not have a cell phone.
MFA for faculty and staff
For most 糖心原创Faculty and Staff we recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator App on your 糖心原创iPhone. We do recommend setting up an additional factor that can be used if your iPhone is unavailable.
Once activated on your account, MFA will be required when you login to any 糖心原创system with MFA enabled. One of the first places you will encounter this is your 糖心原创email account. Some systems will allow you to trust a device for a period of time, so you will not need to use MFA every time you login on that device. This option should only be selected on 糖心原创devices.
Once MFA is enabled, you will be able to use the "Forgot my password" link on the Office 365 login page to reset your password. You will also be able to start the reset process from:
If you enabled multiple authentication methods (factors) you should be able to click the "Sign in another way" link on the "Approve Sign In Request" prompt, and select one of your other options.
Once you can login, visit to remove any lost factors, or to add new factors.
If have lost access to all your factors, please contact the for assistance.
Updated June 23, 2026 by Digital & Web Operations, University Relations (web_services@athabascau.ca)