FAQs: Google 2-Step Verification for DASA

Am I required to activate 2-Step Verification?

Eventually, all employees and students will be required to activate 2-Step Verification. For now, units that deal in particularly sensitive data are being required to implement this for all employees in the department (including student employees). About 370 employees in DASA are required to activate 2-Step no later than October 28, 2016; if 2-Step is not activated, then users will not be able to log into their Google account.

Even if you are not part of this group, you are encourage to activate 2-Step as soon as possible.

What about our Google Generic accounts?

All Generic accounts must also have 2-Step activated. DASA Tech will work with your unit directly to get this setup. More information can be found online.

In many cases, users in your department don’t need full access to the account and can instead get delegated access to the specific app needed from the generic (such as Gmail, Calendar, or Drive). By using delegated access, very few people need to worry about the 2-Step process.

For those cases where users in your department need to log into the full account, using the Google Authenticator app is a great solution.

I don’t want to use my personal cell phone for this. What are my other options?

No problem. There are several methods available, and you can use one or more. These options include: verification through a land line; having a printed set of “backup codes” to use; using a USB security key.

How do I purchase a USB Security Key?

Send your request to your usual Get Help address and DASA Tech will make the purchase for you. These cost about $10-$20 each, so please include a Project ID for the charge. (DASA Tech is still testing a couple of options.) DASA Tech will deploy the key to you in person and answer any questions you have about using it.

How do I get help?

• Several Drop In Help sessions have been scheduled just for helping users with activation. Bring a laptop if you can (we’ll have a couple available for sharing) and OIT staff will be on hand to help you individually.
• DASA Tech staff will be available to help you at our DASA Co-Working sessions. Bring a laptop if you can (we’ll have a couple available for sharing).
• Send your request to your usual Get Help address and someone from our team will schedule a time to work with you individually.