Using Security Key Universal 2nd Factor (Legacy)

Owned by Phillip Hanegan
Last updated: Jul 08, 2024
2 min read

When your organization has enabled Security Key Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) for multi-factor authentication (MFA), you can authenticate using a certificate linked to your security key device as a second factor. This adds an additional layer of security by requiring both something you know (your password) and something you have (your security key).

Authentication Process

  • Required MFA: If MFA with a security key is mandatory for your account, you must authenticate using your security key to access your resources.

  • Optional MFA: If MFA is optional, you can choose whether to use this method during login.

Preferred Method: FIDO2 WebAuthn

While Security Key Universal 2nd Factor can be used, the preferred and more modern method for using security keys for MFA is FIDO2 WebAuthn. This method offers improved security features and better integration with current web technologies, making it the recommended choice over the legacy U2F protocol.

 

To use Security Key - Universal 2nd Factor

  1. Log in to your organization's Web portal as you would normally do so.

  2. If multi-factor authentication is optional (or required and you have multiple options available to you) and you want to enable Universal 2nd Factor for your account, select Security Key Universal 2nd Factor and click Submit.




     

    If Security Key - Universal 2nd Factor is required for your account, you will not see a screen asking you to select a multi-factor option. Instead, you will see a message asking you to insert your security key.

  3. You should see a message asking you to insert your security key.

     

  4. Make sure your security key is plugged into your computer and then press the button or the gold disk on the key.

    Unless another level of multi-factor authentication is required on your account, you should now be authenticated.

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