Protecting Your Digital Identity

You wouldn’t loan your passport to a stranger or post your credit card number on a social media site, and you should be similarly cautious with the digital identifiers that belong to you.  One of these digital identities that needs your protection is your Penn State Access Account, but don’t worry—we have tools in place to assist you in keeping your identity secure.

The first layer of defense that is provided for you is already familiar to you: the login and password that you use to access Penn State systems. This login (your Access ID) is unique to you, and you'll be required to update your password annually to make it more difficult for someone other than you to access your account. For this security measure to be effective, however, you must protect it just like you would your passport—never loan your password information out to anyone!

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Penn State also offers you a more robust form of protection for your digital identity in the form of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). This security measure adds another layer of verification to the login process for University systems such as LionPATH and Canvas and utilizes technology that you likely already possess—a cell phone—although if you would like to sign up for 2FA but don't have access to or don't wish to connect it to your cell phone, other methods are available as well.  You can read more about this service and its benefits (as well as how to enroll) Two-Factor Authentication student resources Links to an external site..