Okta Verify and Passkey is coming
Register now and be ready for 7 October 2026.
From 7 October 2026, students will be required to use Okta Verify and set up a passkey to access University systems and services.
What's Changing?
As a student, you would already be using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect your student account.
As part of this change, student authentication is moving from Microsoft Authenticator to Okta Verify. Students will also need to set up a passkey as part of the new sign-in process.
We are also adding a passkey as another way to secure access to your student account.
What do I need to do?
✅ Register for Okta Verify and set up your passkey before 7 October 2026
The registration process only takes a few minutes and will guide you through setting up both Okta Verify and your passkey.
Completing this setup will help ensure you continue to have uninterrupted access to your University systems, applications and services.
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What happens until 7 October?
Until the change takes place, continue signing in and authenticating through Microsoft Authenticator as you normally do. There is no immediate change to the way you access University systems until 7 October.
Cyber security threats continue to increase, and protecting student data and accounts is more important than ever. Okta Verify provides an additional layer of security to help safeguard your personal information, University data and online services.
As part of this upgrade, Western is also introducing passkeys as a secure and simple way to sign in without relying on a password. Passkeys use something already linked to your device, such as Face ID, fingerprint, Windows Hello or your device PIN, helping reduce the risk of passwords being stolen or used by someone else.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Register for Okta Verify today and be ready for 7 October 2026.
Passkeys are more secure than passwords because they stay linked to your device and cannot be easily stolen or used by someone else.
Setting up a passkey makes signing in faster and easier. For example, instead of entering a password and approving a notification, you may simply unlock your phone using Face ID or your fingerprint to securely sign in.
With Okta Verify and Passkey:
- Login approvals are sent directly to your phone.
- You approve sign-in requests with a single tap.
- No authentication codes need to be entered.
- Your account and personal information are better protected.
- The sign-in experience becomes simpler and more consistent across University systems.
Important
Okta Verify and a Passkey will become mandatory from 7 October.
Students who have not registered and set up Okta Verify and their passkey before enforcement will be unable to access University systems until setup is completed.
We strongly recommend registering now to avoid disruption to:
- Assessments and examinations
- Results and student information
- Ultra
- Student email
- Timetables
Need Help?
If you need help setting up Okta Verify or your passkey, start with the FAQs and Knowledge Base article. Can’t access the article? View the pdf version here.
These resources explain what is changing, what you need before you begin, and how to complete the registration process.