How to Set Up Your Student My.Westcliff Account

Overview

My.Westcliff (Okta) is the organization's identity and access management platform that provides Single Sign-On (SSO) to institutional systems including Student Portal, Services Portal, GAP, and other applications. Setting up your Okta account is essential for accessing these services securely. This article provides step-by-step instructions for activating your My.Westcliff account, creating a strong password, and configuring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for enhanced security.

Instructions

Step 0: Make sure you have access to your Westcliff email

Step 1: Locate Your My.Westcliff Activation Email

1. Sign in to your Westcliff email and check the inbox.
2. Look for an email from noreply@okta.com with the subject line "Welcome to Westcliff Single Sign-On (Okta)!"
3. If you cannot find the email, check your spam or junk folder
4. The email will contain an Activate my.Westcliff Account button or activation link
5. Note: Activation links typically expire within 30 days of being sent

Step 2: Activate Your My.Westcliff Account

1. Click the Activate my.Westcliff Account button
2. You will be directed to the Okta account activation page in your web browser
3. Verify that your username is displayed correctly, it should be your Westcliff email address.
4. Under Password, click Set up to create your password

Step 3: Create Your My.Westcliff Password

1. Enter a password that meets the following requirements:
   • At least 8 characters
   • A lowercase letter
   • An uppercase letter
   • A number
   • A symbol
   • No parts of your username
2. Re-enter your password in the Re-enter password field to verify
3. Click Next to continue

Step 4: Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Our University requires one of the following authentication methods:

Option A: Okta Verify Mobile App (Recommended)

1. Under Okta Verify, click Set up
2. When prompted to set up MFA, select Okta Verify
3. Download the Okta Verify app from:
   • App Store (iOS devices)
   • Google Play Store (Android devices)
4. Open the Okta Verify app on your mobile device
5. Tap Add Account in the app
6. Scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen using your phone's camera
7. Your account will be added automatically
8. Tap Done in the app

For a detail instruction, you can visit Okta and select the specific type of operation system.

https://help.okta.com/eu/en-us/content/topics/end-user/ov-overview.htm

Option B: SMS Authentication

1. Under Phone, click Set up
2. Select Country/region of your carrier and type in your phone number
3. Click Receive a code via SMS
4. Check your phone for a text message with a verification code
5. Enter the 6-digit code
6. Click Verify to complete setup

You can always update your MFA. follow this article to do so.

Notes

• Keep your password confidential and never share it with anyone, including IT staff
• If your activation link expires, contact the IT Help Desk through the Services Portal to request a new activation email
• The Okta Verify app is the most convenient MFA method and works without cellular service (requires only the app)
• When traveling internationally, SMS authentication may not work reliably - use Okta Verify instead
• If you change your phone number, update your MFA settings in Okta immediately. You can follow this article to do so
• If you suspect your account has been compromised, change your password immediately and contact IT Security

Reference

• Okta Help: General documents for end users
• Okta Help: Set up Okta Verify
• Contact IT: Login Credential Issues
• Contact IT: Report suspecious activity