PCCC recommends adding multiple methods of authentication to your account, with options including:
You must have access to one of these methods when you sign in.
What is a Security Key?
A USB Security Key is a small piece of hardware that you can plug in to your device (if it has a USB port). If the key is connected to an account as a multifactor authentication method, you can sign into your account using the key. There are many different types of security keys out there, made by different manufacturers. An example of this is Google’s Titan Security Key. This article will go through how to set up your USB security key with your PCCC account. Be sure that the security key that you have is a FIDO2-Certified key, and that it is your own personal hardware key that you’re not sharing with anyone else.
Note: At this time, we do not support the NFC security key method.
Instructions for USB Security Key:
Please perform all of these steps on a personal computer, not a public computer.
Step 1. Have Your USB Security Key Ready
Please make sure that you have your USB security key with you before you continue with the rest of the steps.
If you are using your USB security key for the first time, be sure to follow the security key manufacturer's instructions on how to set it up before using it to protect your accounts.
Step 2. Add your Security Key to your Account
On your desktop, visit https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo
On the “Security Info” page, click Add sign-in method.
Under “Add a method”, select Security Key. Then click Add.
You may be asked to sign-in with another method of two-factor authentication before you can continue with setting up the security key, so please do so after clicking Next.
After verifying with two-factor authentication, choose USB device for the security key type.
Step 3. Set Up your Security Key on Computer
Have your security key ready to plug in. After clicking Next, the setup will transition from the Microsoft security settings to the settings of the computer you are using.
Be sure to follow all the directions on your screen and be sure to pick “Security Key” (or a similar name) as the option you are setting up. If you haven’t set up your security key before, you will also have to set up a passkey for your key.
These steps may vary depending on the computer you’re using and how the security key was manufactured.
When you are ready to setup your key, click Next and go through the process through your computer.
Step 4. Name Security Key
After going through the setup process on your computer, you will be redirected back to the “Security Info” settings.
Enter a name for your security key. This serves to be a label for this authentication method and can be helpful if you happen to have more than one security key on your account.
After that, your security key will be set up with your PCCC account.
After finishing the last step, you should add additional methods of authentication such as your cell phone, home phone, office phone, or personal email if you haven’t already. You can check all of your Multifactor Authentication options by visiting https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo.
Congratulations!
You are now set up with your security key and can log in to your PCCC account by plugging in your key into a trusted computer.
Thanks,
Passaic County Community College IT department