By: Elsa Harvey
Okta is an authentication app that the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB) started working with about six months ago. Anyone who has a UWGB email can use it. It will send a notification through the app that requires the user to verify their identity. There is an option for push notifications or entering a code. This was to replace the authenticator app through Microsoft. Since the implementation of Okta, there have been many mixed reviews. Some students don’t mind authenticating themselves, and others don’t enjoy going through all the steps every time they log in.
Monica Garcia, a senior at UWGB, said, “I like how it provides extra security when getting into your accounts. I find it easy to use and user-friendly, allowing you to get a push notification or a code.” Okta has many easy-to-use features.
Danielle Bina, a professor at UWGB, said, “It’s a simple app on my phone, which is easy to tap for a log-in verification.” Gabby Cochran, a junior at UWGB, said, “Okta is somewhat easy to use, but comparing it to our old system of multi-step verification, this seems to be more time-consuming.”
Michael Bubolz, UW-Green Bay’s chief information officer, said, “Okta is highly regarded as a strong and reliable authentication platform, especially for businesses and higher education. It is known for its robust security features, scalability, and centralized management.” Bubolz also pointed out that having a multi-factor authentication app or system in place is mandated by UW System Policy. Other universities either have the same one or something similar.
The university had a few different authentication apps before landing on Okta Verification. It was first implemented about six months ago, in April. Grace Soenksen, a senior at UWGB, said, “I would say I find it slightly easier than the old Microsoft one just because I programmed this one to just give me a push notification compared to when I had the Microsoft one. I was always entering a code.” Many people have said that it is easy to use, but others have some problems with the verification app.
Garcia said, “I think it can be annoying sometimes if you don’t click on certain settings. It will ask you to verify every time.” Soenksen added, “I do find it annoying when it needs the username and password. It doesn’t automatically remember those sometimes when you type them in.”
Bubloz said, “Every authentication product has limitations, but Okta offers enhanced functionality compared to our previous solutions.” Obviously, there will be problems with any app, but the concern is whether Okta is protecting our information. “I like that it provides extra security when getting into your accounts,” Garcia said.
Bubolz said, “Implementing MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to accounts and sensitive data, thereby mitigating the risk of fraud and identity theft. In the last week, Okta has prevented over 120,000 login attempts from bad actors.” The authentication apps allow students and faculty to access their accounts with full security so that no one else is attempting to log in as them. “The centralized to one MFA product means students, faculty, and staff are all managed and assisted the same way. We are seeing fewer account compromises than before and are quicker to respond and remediate issues.” Bubolz said.
With Okta being implemented only six months ago it seems like it is performing effectively, but many people are still concerned with how time-consuming it can be. MFA is essential to providing security for Students, Faculty, and staff to ensure that our information is kept secure.
