YubiKey security key for multi-factor authentication

Note: A Microsoft passkey is the designated MFA method for faculty, staff, and student employees. 

The YubiKey security key is an alternative MFA method for those who are unable to use passkey for multi-factor authentication, such as those without the required phone OS or Bluetooth. After registration, your YubiKey can be used with multiple devices to log into university services. It is recommended that you purchase a second YubiKey as a backup in case your YubiKey is lost or damaged.

Supported YubiKey models

The university standard for security keys is the YubiKey provided by Yubico. The following YubiKey models are supported by IT Services:  

The C NFC model will be available to users for access to general university portals and systems, email, VPN, payroll and financial systems, research databases, and other sensitive data.	The 5C NFC model will be distributed to server administrators.

Step 1: Set up Windows Hello 

Note: Step 1 only applies to Windows devices. Mac users should use the YubiKey registration for Mac article to register their YubiKey. 

Windows Hello should be set up on any Windows device (such as your laptop or desktop computer) with which you will be using your YubiKey to authenticate when logging into university services and resources. 

Check to see if Windows Hello is already set up

Check to confirm that Windows Hello is set up on the device that you will be using to access university resources.

Step 2: Register the YubiKey 

NOTE: If the registration process times out, restart the registration process at “click +Add sign-in method”. Some steps may be skipped if you had already completed them before the time-out.

1. Insert the YubiKey into your computer.
2. Go to account.uark.edu.
   You will be prompted to authenticate using the Authenticator app or a different method that has been set up on your account to register the YubiKey as a new MFA method.
3. In the Security Info pane, click Update Info.
4. On the Security Info page, click +Add sign-in method.
   
   
    
5. Add a sign-in method by selecting the Security key or passkey option from the list.
   
   
    
6. From the next dialog box, click “Set up passkey using another device”. Do NOT click Next.
   
   
    
7. Select Security Key when asked to choose where to save your passkey.
   
   
    
8. When prompted by the Insert your security key into the USB port screen, plug the YubiKey into the device. If the YubiKey is already plugged in when prompted, remove and reinsert.
   
   
    
9. Create a PIN for the YubiKey. Type the PIN in the New Security Key PIN field and again in the Confirm Security Key PIN field.
   A YubiKey PIN can be 4-63 characters and may include letters, numbers, and special characters.
   
   
    
10. You will be prompted to touch your security key. Tap the circle on your YubiKey. You will prompted to touch the security key again.
    
     
     
11. You will be prompted to name your security key and click Next.
    You may name your key anything you like. The name is to differentiate this key from any other security keys that you might have registered.
    
     
     
12. A window showing that the passkey was create will be displayed. Click Done.
    
    

Your YubiKey is now registered and ready to be used as your MFA method.

Step 3: Sign out of everything

1. Log into the Security info page.
   Note: You might be required to authenticate using the YubiKey. 
    
2. Click the Sign out everywhere link at the bottom of the page.
   
   
    
3. Click OK on the "Sign out everywhere?" window. 
   
   
    
4. Click your account in the Pick an account window. 
   
   

Your account will be signed out of all university resources. 

Step 4: Enroll in Required Passkey group

After setting up the YubiKey, you will need to self-enroll in the Required Passkey group. 

1. Log into your Microsoft My Access page.
   Note: You might be required to authenticate using the YubiKey. 
    
2. Click Access packages from the My Access section in the left navigation.
   
   
    
3. Click View all.
   
   
    
4. Click Request in the "MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator" row.
   
   
    
5. Click Continue in the MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator window that opens. 
   
   
    
6. In the Additional questions window that opens:
   1. Select Yes or No to answer, "Have you registered a Microsoft passkey in Microsoft Authenticator or registered a YubiKey?"
   2. Select Yes or No to answer, "For Windows users, have you set up Windows Hello for Business?"
   3. Click the Submit Request button.
      The Business Justification field does not need to be completed. 
      
      
      
      
      You should see a green pop-up in the upper, left corner that lets you know that your request is being processed. 
      
      
       
7. You will receive an email to your UARK email account with the subject line, "You now have access to MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator" to let you know that you have successfully enrolled in the Required Passkey group.

Using the YubiKey

When multifactor authentication is required for a login, the YubiKey must be plugged into the computer or other device.

1. Select Sign-in options.
   
   
    
2. Select Face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key.
   
   
    
3. You will be prompted to Choose a passkey. Select Security Key.
   
   
    
4. You will be prompted enter your security key PIN. Enter the PIN that you created during YubiKey registration in the Security Key PIN field, and click OK.
   
   
    
5. When prompted to Touch your security key, tap the YubiKey that is plugged into your device.
   
   

After touching the YubiKey, you will be authenticated and logged into the system.

Troubleshooting 

For assistance setting up multi-factor authentication, click the Request Multifactor Service button on the right.

Troubleshooting NFC with YubiKeys and Security Keys