Georgia Highlands College (GHC) will utilize Duo Security for student accounts starting in August. Duo is a multi-factor authentication service that protects accounts from malicious activities like hacking and identity theft.

GHC will require the use of Duo Security for student accounts beginning on August 1st, 2020.

“This service will enhance the security of student email, D2L and Zoom accounts by requiring a second form of authentication in addition to a password when those systems are accessed,” GHC Information Security Officer Ian Fleming said. “GHC will be rolling out Single Sign-On services with Duo to more of our systems, such as SCORE, in the near future.”

GHC’s Information Security Program worked in consultation with the University System of Georgia’s Department of Cybersecurity and has determined that systems relying solely on a username and password (known as single sign-on) for authentication are increasingly at risk of compromise from social engineering attacks and weak password selections by their users.

“Securing information and information systems is an important responsibility for all USG institutions,” Fleming said. “GHC faculty and staff are already using Duo to protect their accounts. Based on their feedback, we’ve developed a comprehensive knowledge base about Duo, how to use it, and how it works to protect you.”

Fleming stated more information about Duo can be found at sites.highlands.edu/information-technology/duo/

Duo utilizes several ways to authenticate signing into a GHC account, including a text message or phone call, a push notification using the Duo Mobile app on a compatible smartphone, a six-digit passcode that appears in the Duo Mobile app on a compatible smartphone, or a physical U2F Security Key, such as a Yubico Security Key, connected to a computer.

Students can enroll in Duo today by visiting duoportal.highlands.edu