31.01.2025 - 11:50
Multifactor Authentication (MFA) will be adopted in almost all of the University’s online services on25 March 2023. At the same time, the use of MFA will also be expanded to all University user groups.
Most of the University staff and students became familiar with Multifactor Authentication (MFA) when it was introduced in Microsoft 365 services in 2021. From 25 March 2023 onwards, the use of MFA will also be extended to services using login.helsinki.fi login and to all user groups.
What will change?
- On 25 March 2025, MFA login will be introduced in the University network services that use the login.helsinki.fi login. This means that from 25 March 2023, additional authentication will be required when logging in to these services, for example, with the Microsoft Authenticator app, a single-use code or a phone call. The services that use login.helsinki.fi include, for example, Flamma, Sisu, Zoom and numerous other online services of the University.
- At the same time, multifactor authentication will be adopted for all users within the University. The new MFA user groups include, for example, students of the open university and various external users who have a University of Helsinki Username.
- Exceptions to the expansion of MFA include the use of Examinarium and the use of Moodle in gymnasiums and exam aquariums, which will not require multi-factor authentication in the future. In addition, multi-factor authentication is not required from users with a limited user account, as their rights of light credentials are already considerably more restricted in principle.
- The login experience of the University network services will also be improved by harmonising the login process, user interface and appearance. In the future, you will be able to access both Microsoft 365 services and Flamma and Sisu with the same login.
We recommend reading the instructions for multi-factor authentication well in advance
- New user: Read the instructions for the deployment of multi-factor authentication at the University on the IT Helpdesk instructions site.
- You can find the answer to most MFA-related questions on the FAQ page.
- All instructions related to Multifactor Authentication can be found on the MFA dashboard of the IT Helpdesk instructions site.
Why is the use of MFA being expanded?
- Multifactor Authentication makes it much more difficult for cybercriminals to capture data. By expanding the use of MFA to all network services, we can keep the University’s information security at a high level also in the future.
- Laws, decrees and the University’s contractual obligations set requirements for the University’s information systems and user administration. MFA or other similar measures are usually minimum requirements for the processing of confidential information, for example.
- Multifactor Authentication is the best way to prevent the misuse of hijacked passwords.
Later in 2025, MFA will also be introduced for remote connections that enable access to the University network and for all University user groups. Further information on this will be provided later.
If you need any support, please contact IT Helpdesk:
- Chat (weekdays 9 AM–3 PM, chatbot 24/7): helsinki.fi/helpdesk
- Tel.: +358 29 41 55555 (weekdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m., local network charge/mobile call charge)
- Email: helpdesk@helsinki.fi