To improve cybersecurity, on Aug. 18, NC State will begin a phased enrollment of current students into its two-factor authentication (2FA) solutions: 

• Google 2-Step Verification to access NC State G Suite, and
• Duo Security to access services such as the MyPack Portal, Moodle and REPORTER.

Google 2-Step and Duo thwart up to 98 percent of all phishing attacks by making it extremely difficult for a hacker to breach a user’s account. They “double check” a user’s identity by requiring the user to log in with a password and then enter a numeric code, respond to a notification on a smartphone, or insert a Universal Second Factor (U2F) security key.

The Office of Information Technology will notify all current students of the mandatory requirement via email today. The phased enrollment will begin with graduate students on Aug. 18 followed by seniors, juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and all other undesignated students. Each class will have two weeks to complete enrollment.

Students will receive an email notification when it is their window to enroll, but they can and should enroll now to protect their account against phishing attacks. They are also encouraged to enroll multiple devices to prevent lockout from campus services. Enrollment instructions are available at Two-Factor Authentication at NC State.

For those students who have already enrolled in both Google 2-Step and Duo, no further action is required.

Questions about this mandatory requirement should be directed to the NC State Help Desk via the NC State IT Service Portal or at 919.515.4357 (HELP).

See also No way to 2FA?