Registration Quick Links for PCCC Authentication method
Adding a Security Key (FIDO Key)
Adding your own authenticator app (ex: Duo, Google authenticator, Authy)
Adding phone number(s) (Text or Call)
Adding a personal email address (Only used to reset your password or unlock your account)
What is PCCC Authentication methods?
When you sign into your online accounts - a process we call "authentication" - you're proving to the service that you are who you say you are. Traditionally that's been done with only a username and a password. Unfortunately, that's not a very good way to do it. Usernames are often easy to discover; sometimes they're just your email address. Since passwords can be hard to remember, people tend to pick simple ones, or use the same password at many different sites.
That's why almost all online services - banks, social media, shopping and yes, Microsoft 365 too - have added a way for your accounts to be more secure. You may hear it called "Multi-factor Authentication" but the good ones all operate off the same principle. When you sign into the account for the first time on a new device or app (like a web browser) you need more than just the username and password. You need a second thing - what we call a second "factor" - to prove who you are.
This is also true when you forget your password or have accidently typed in the wrong password too many times. Our service will need another method or factor for identifying you to know to perform a password reset, account unlock, or sign in from an unrecognized device or location.
A factor in authentication is a way of confirming your identity when you try to sign in. For example, a password is one kind of factor, it's a thing you know. The three most common kinds of factors are:
Something you know - Like a password, or a memorized PIN.
Something you have - Like a smartphone, or a secure USB key.
Something you are - Like a fingerprint, or facial recognition.
How is each method used?
Security info methods are used for both Multi-factor Authentication and for Account Unlock / Self-Service password reset. However, not all methods can be used for both.
Method | Used for |
Authenticator app | Two-factor verification, password reset, and account unlock authentication. |
Text messages | Two-factor verification, password reset, and account unlock authentication. |
Phone calls | Two-factor verification, password reset, and account unlock authentication. |
Security key | Two-factor verification, password reset, and account unlock authentication. |
Email account | Password reset and account unlock authentication only. You'll need to choose a different method for Multi-factor authentication. |
PCCC Recommends registering multiple methods of authentication including personal email, a phone (cell, office, and/or home), security (FIDO Key), preferred authenticator app and the Microsoft Authenticator App. You must have access to one of these methods when you sign in.