Multi-Factor Authentication

MFA is sometimes referred to as two-factor authentication or 2FA. This is a security enhancement that adds a layer of security to online accounts by requiring you to verify that you are who you say you are. This is a method of providing an additional layer of security to the college and our students.

Now, let’s discuss what types of devices that can be used to set-up MFA.

Multi-factor Authentication can be setup with the following:

• Smartphone
• Tablet

Please note that your individual experience may vary depending on the type of device you are using to enroll. The images in this document may have slightly different design or format than your device provides, but the steps are still consistent across devices.

RapidIdentity, Identity Automation is the application that is recommended for use with Push Multi-Factor Authentication.

•  RapidIdentity, Identity Automation

1. . RapidIdentity – Push Authentication (recommended) 2.
2. Email Authentication (default) *This does not require an application to be downloaded onto a mobile device

Other options may be made available by the VCCS, but the above options are the only ones receiving support from Germanna resources at this time.

Push Notifications are messages that pops up on a mobile device. There are many different types of examples of Push notifications such as showing a sports score, get a user to take action, notification of a flash sale or a coupon alert.

The push notification method has been selected to add a layer of security. A message will pop up through RapidIdentity that will allow you to Deny or Approve authentication into myGCC.

Technical support is available for both the enrollment process and for any authentication issues.

Student Technical Helpdesk

Hours of Support: See department footer at bottom of page.

Call: 540-891-3077

Submit ticket: https://support.vccs.edu/studentsupport

• Click on myGCC portal
• Enter VCCS Username
• Click Go
  
  
•  
• Enter VCCS Password
• Click Go
  
  
• Click Personal Information
  
  
   
• Click on SIS
• If you don't see My Student Information, click on the dropdown arrow.
  
  
   
• Click Students
  
  
• Click on My Student Information
  
   
• Click Personal Information
  
  
   
• Click on Phone Numbers
  
  
   
• Click Add a Phone Number
  
  
   
• Click the dropdown arrow
• Select Mobile
  
  
  
  ATTENTION
• The mobile number that is used for Multi-factor Authentication must be added as a "Mobile".
   
• Enter your Mobile Number
• Click Save
  
  
   

Congratulations! The mobile device is now enrolled.

Now, the that the mobile device is added/updated, it is time to Enroll the mobile device through MYGCC.

Enroll Mobile Device

A mobile device must be enrolled to setup Push MFA. The following two things will occur when a mobile device is enrolled:

1. A text message will be sent to the mobile number with instructions on how to download RapidIdentity.
2. An email will be sent to the email on file with instructions on how to download RapidIdentity.

It is recommended that the links be followed on your mobile device to download the RapidIdentity Application.

• Click on myGCC portal
• Enter VCCS Username
• Click GO
  
  
   
• Enter VCCS Password
• Click GO
  
  
   
• Click on the dropdown arrow next to person icon with your name
  
  
   
• Click on Enroll Mobile Device
  
  
   
• Click Continue
  
  
   
• A confirmation message with your name will appear after you select Enroll Mobile Device
  
  

Mobile Device Enrollment - Sample email and Text message

The system will send an email directly to you with a subject line titled “Register VCCS Push Authentication”. If you did not receive an email or text with instructions, check your junk mail.

This is a sample email message:

This is a sample text message:

• Click on myGCC portal
• Click Go
  
  
   
• Click the dropdown arrow next to person with your name
• click Profile Settings
• Click Edit Profile
  
  
   
• Select OPT_IN MFA PINGME-PUSH (RECOMMENDED)
  
  
   
• Click Save
  
  

It is important to open the text or email message that was generated by VCCS and sent to your mobile device. The email will be titled “Register VCCS Push Authentication”. The text or email message will allow you to click on the link to download the RapidIdentity Application.

• Open the text or email sent to your Mobile Device
• Click on the RapidIdentity Mobile Download link located in the text message.
  • https://identity.my.vccs.edu/mobile/download
• Click on download
• Click OPEN
  
  
   
• Select Allow for "RapidIdentity" to send notification such as alerts, sounds, and icon badges
• Click Continue
  
  
   
• Click Add Manually
  
  
   
• Click Add a Server Account
  
  
   
• Enter the following Server address: https://identiy.my.vccs.edu
  
  
   
• Click Submit on the top right corner
  
  
   
• Enter UserName = <myVCCS username>
• Enter Password - <myVCCS password>
• Click Submit in upper right corner
  
  
   
• Choose a six-digit code
• Click Submit in the upper right corner
  
  Note: Do not forget this pin. This pin must be used if biometrics are not enabled.
  
  
   
• Click OK
  
  
   

Congratulations! You have completed your Push Authentication Setup

Now, it's time to test if Multi-Factor Authentication has been setup. First, logout of myGCC and follow the logon instructions.

• Logon to VCCS through myGCC
• Enter your Username
• Click GO
  
  
  
  The RapidIdentity application will now Ping your device each time you logon. You must click Approve on your device to complete authentication.
  
  
   
• Click Approve
  
  
  
  If you don't click Approve in the allotted time or accidentally click Deny on your device, you must click the Start Over button on the VCCS login screen to initiate another push.
  
  The first time RapidIdentity is used it may prompt to allow biometrics such as face or fingerprint recognition. The image shown here is one such example. It is recommended that biometrics are enabled on your phone.
  
  If your device does not support biometrics, or you choose to not allow it for this application, then you will be prompted to enter your six-digit pin tocomplete the authentication.
  
  
   
• Enter PIN
• Click Approve
  
  
  
  Each time you logon to a system using your VCCS credentials you will be prompted on your enrolled device to Deny or Approve RapidIdentity authentication.

• Click on myGCC portal
• Enter VCCS Username
• Click GO
  
  
   
• Enter VCCS Password
• Click GO
  
  
   
• Click on SIS
  
  
   
• If you don't see My Student Information, click on the dropdown arrow
• Click Students
  
  
   
• Click on My Student Information
  
  
   
• Click Personal Information
  
  
   
• Click Email Addresses
  
  
   
• Verify that the Email address that you want to use is selected as "preferred". This may be any email address
  
  

• Click on myGCC portal
• Enter VCCS Username
• Click GO
  
  
   
• Enter VCCS Password
• Click GO
  
  
   
• Click the dropdown arrow next to person with your name
• Click Profile Settings
  
  
   
• Click Edit Profile
  
  
   
• Select OPT-IN MFA EMAIL AUTHENTICATION
• Click Save
  
  
   
• Logout of the portal
• Log back into the portal to test
• Click on myGCC portal
  
  
   
• Enter VCCS Username
• Click GO
  
  
   
• Enter VCCS Password
• Click GO
  
  
   
• Enter Code sent to your email account
  
  
   

Congratulations! Multi-Factor Authentication has been successfully set up.