ORCA staff are strongly encouraged to enroll in multi-factor authentication in PowerSchool. This guide is designed to help you enable MFA quickly and easily.
What is multi-factor identification?
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security process that requires a user to provide two or more distinct proofs of identity before granting access to an account or system. It is sometimes referred to as 2-factor authentication (2FA) or 2-step verification (2SV).
To utilize MFA in PowerSchool, you will need to download a mobile authenticator app. The most popular and recommended is Google Authenticator, which is freely accessible from your phone's app store. This guide assumes that you are using Google Authenticator, but most authenticator apps work the same way.
Adding PowerSchool to your Authenticator app
PowerSchool provides two different ways to connect to your Authenticator app: via a QR code scan, or by typing in a 32-character key. Using the QR code is recommended, but in a pinch the key can be used as well.
- Log in to PowerSchool and navigate to your profile menu by clicking on your initials in the top right corner.
- Select Manage Profile.
- Scroll down, and you should see a subheading titled Multi-Factor Authentication for PowerSchool SIS. Click on the link Enable Multi-Factor Authentication directly underneath.
- From here, a QR code and key should pop up. You can then use your Google Authenticator app to scan it from the home screen.
Within your Google Authenticator app:
- While at the home screen, tap the + symbol on the bottom right of the screen to add an account.
- Select Scan a QR code.
- Use your phone's camera to scan the provided QR code on PowerSchool. Your PowerSchool account should automatically be added to your home screen.
- Back in PowerSchool, underneath the QR code, input the 6-digit code now displayed in your Authenticator app.
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Select Verify Code. Congratulations, you've set up MFA!
From here, PowerSchool logins from new browsers or devices will require that you provide the current 6-digit code from your Authenticator app. Codes in the Authenticator app are time-sensitive, and will refresh after 30 seconds. If you encounter an issue after trying to input a code, let the current cycle lapse and try again when a new code appears.
I no longer have access to my authenticator app
If you do not have the Authenticator app associated with your PowerSchool account, reach out to us at the Help Desk for assistance at helpdesk@syseducation.org.