Higher education institutions are a top target for cybercriminals. Stolen or compromised account credentials are a contributing factor to phishing scams, as well as malicious data and system breaches.

Thus, all campuses in the California State University system are implementing a 2-Step Authentication process this semester. At Cal Poly Pomona, all students, faculty and staff must enroll by Thursday, April 8.

General registration for fall classes starts April 7. On April 8, those who haven't yet enrolled won't be able to register for classes, log in to their Bronco account or access campus platforms such as Blackboard, MyCPP and others.

The university takes cybersecurity seriously, and 2-Step Authentication, also known as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), has become a best practice across industries to improve security. It requires users to verify their identity before accessing campus applications or computer systems, making it harder for a cybercriminal to access the campus' system, and reducing the risk of fraud, data loss and identity theft.

CPP has implemented DUO, a mobile app that sends "push notifications" to authorize logging in. DUO was selected based on its security controls, accessibility options for persons with disabilities, as well as its ability to be used with a variety of applications and technical environments. People are encouraged to enroll more than one device or method in 2-Step Authentication, such as a tablet or phone number.

Enrolling is simple and can be done in three simple steps, including registering one's Bronco account, downloading DUO and adding a back-up device. For more details, including video tutorials and eHelp Guide, visit the 2-step webpage. I.T. is available to answer questions during BAC e-Student Services hours on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.