How To Setup Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enables users to securely access work applications from remote working locations. Logging into the State’s secure applications, such as email, with an MFA account enabled requires authentication using the following method:

• Approval via push notification - Deny or approve a login attempt from your Smartphone.

This guide will assist MFA users in setting up their MFA account on a mobile device. To do this, you will need a computer with internet access and your mobile device.

In This Article

If you're replacing an old phone

If you are replacing an old phone, you will need to request that both your current MFA settings be reset. If you are not replacing a phone, skip to the next section.

• To reset your @nebraska.gov MFA, call OCIO support at 402.471.4636 and explain that you are setting up a new smartphone and need your MFA reset.
• To reset your @education.ne.gov MFA, send a support request/email to nde.techserviceshelp@nebraska.gov or vr.helpdesk@nebraska.gov, as appropriate.

Once your old phone MFA settings have been reset, you can proceed to the next section.

Sign Into MS Security Portal

1. From your computer, launch a modern browser (Safari, Chrome, or Edge), and open a private/incognito window:
1. (in Chrome/Edge, three dots in the upper right, then "New Incognito Window")
   
2. (in Safari, File>New Private Window)
   
2. In that private/incognito window, go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com (Hint: copy/paste that URL.)
1. If setting up Email/VPN (State of Nebraska) MFA:
1. Use your first.last@nebraska.gov and your email/Outlook password to sign in.
2. If setting up Teams/Sharepoint (Education) MFA:
1. Use your first.last@education.ne.gov and your "Education" password to sign in.
   
3. Select Security Info from the home menu to the left side of the screen.
   
1. If prompted to set up security questions, follow the prompts to set them up. For each question, use the drop-down menu to select a question you will easily remember the answer to. Type the answer in the proceeding line. Continue until all three questions are answered.
   Select Done.
   Otherwise, if not prompted to set up the security questions go on to the next step.
   
4. The preferred method for MFA is the Microsoft Authenticator app. Follow the instructions in the next section to configure your MFA using the Authenticator app.

Set up MFA on the Authenticator app

1. On the "Security info" section, click on "+ Add sign-method".
   
   
1. Select the Authenticator App
   
   
2. On your mobile device, open/launch the Authenticator application.
   
   
3. Setup your new Authenticator account. Select Add (+) in the top right corner of the screen. Do not remove any previous/existing authenticator account(s), if present.
   
1. Select Work or School Account.
   
   
4. Select “Scan a QR code”.
1. Authenticator may prompt you to allow access to your camera. Select OK.
   
   
5. From your computer browser, select Next.
1. This will generate your QR code (example shown). Use the Authenticator app on your phone to scan the QR code (do not use phone's Camera app.)
2. On your browser, select Next.
3. Your mobile device will prompt you to approve the initial configuration. Select Approve.
   
4. In the browser, select Next.
6. That's it! Your Authenticator app should now show that a @nebraska.gov account was added. To verify everything worked as expected, you can proceed to the next section.
   

Verify your MFA Settings

1. Sign Out of My Sign Ins (browser, upper right corner) and close the browser.
   
2. Launch a new browser and go back to https://mysignins.microsoft.com
   
3. Select Security Info.
1. If the account was set up successfully, your mobile device will receive a notification for Approval.
2. Select Approve. A confirmation page will load in your computer’s browser.
   
3. Once you receive confirmation, your new account is all set. You can use your mobile device with the Authenticator app to send push notifications when signing in with MFA.