Starting September 28, 2026, Austin Community College District (ACC) is taking a proactive step to enhance digital security by expanding Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to all student accounts. While MFA is already mandatory for faculty and staff, extending this requirement to students will address critical security vulnerabilities and protect our broader college community.

Why MFA for Students is Essential

Account compromise remains one of the largest security risks facing higher education. Phishing attacks and stolen passwords target student accounts to exploit personal banking information, financial aid funds, and academic records. MFA requires a secondary verification step, ensuring hackers cannot access accounts even if they obtain a password.

National data show that MFA blocks over 99.2% of account compromise attacks, making it our most effective tool against cyber threats. It will reduce the risk and incidence of financial aid or data fraud and better secure their email accounts and access to records. Student MFA will support faster financial aid processing and help staff spend less time monitoring for fraudulent student accounts.

What Our Students Can Expect 

Beginning September 28, ACC students will be required to verify their identity via MFA when logging into platforms using their ACCeID and password. This includes access to programs such as Blackboard, ACCmail, Zoom, and other major College services.

How Employees Can Support Students 

While the IT Information Security team is leading the setup and support efforts, students may turn to faculty and staff with questions. Here is how you can help ensure a seamless transition:

  • Share the Information: Encourage students to set up their MFA method before and during rollout week, so their access to course materials and College resources isn’t disrupted.
  • Direct Them to Resources: The College is building an informational webpage that you can point students to if they need help. It will feature tips, guides, and frequently asked questions. More details will be shared once the page launches.
  • Address Device Access Concerns: If a student mentions they do not have a reliable personal smartphone or device for MFA, reassure them that ACC is working on alternative verification solutions so their experience won’t be disrupted.