Security Matters for Students!

Welcome to the University of Alaska!

Whether you are a new or returning student, this page is for YOU! The student experience includes many online elements, from email to Canvas and more. Let us help you navigate your courses and the Internet safely and securely.

Getting Started with Security

Starting or continuing your college education comes with new programs and new technology. It can be daunting if you've never needed to use these tools before! Here are some that you will use consistently throughout the semester.

Most websites and apps use one of three methods, or "factors", to verify, or "authenticate", that you are who you say you are: something you know, something you have, or something you are. Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA, is a common way of adding an extra layer of security to your accounts.

One of the first things you will need to set up is Duo MFA. When MFA is enabled, even if a bad actor is able to get your username and password, they still won't be able to access your account without that extra step of approving a login. 

To set up Duo MFA, follow this guide.

We understand that it can be frustrating to have to re-authenticate your logins often. If you log in on your personal phone or computer, you can choose to remember the device! This will prevent you from having to authenticate via Duo for ____ days, as long as you use the same browser and device.

If you have problems setting up Duo MFA, contact your university's service desk.

If you've logged into UAOnline, the Google Suite, Canvas, or Blackboard, you've been prompted to use Single Sign On (SSO)! When you access any website that has UA SSO enabled, you will be redirected to login through the University of Alaska portal. This makes your life easier, since you only need one username and password to access a majority of the services you'll need. 

If you are having issues with SSO or need to reset your password, but cannot access ELMO, contact your university's service desk.

Your coursework, whether online or face-to-face, will likely be hosted in a Learning Management System, or LMS. In general, if you are at UAF, that will be Canvas. At UAA or UAS, it will likely be Blackboard.  Some instructors may choose to use an alternative LMS, like Google Classroom. Grades, assignment submissions, due dates, and class materials may be located in the Canvas or Blackboard page. 

On top of your LMS, your professor may choose to use other programs for your assignments to help facilitate interaction with classmates. Some of these include Flipgrid, VoiceThread, and Hypothesis. If you are having issues with any of the technology that you're using in class, don't just give up -  the Service Desk employees are available to help you figure out the issue and get the technology working with you.

 

Campus Resources

Each campus has its own IT department to provide services to students of those campuses. This includes loaner laptops, tech help, and more. The information for each department is provided here!

 

  Nanook Technology Services
UAF Service Desk can be contacted by phone, email, or web chat.

Phone: (907) 450-8300
Toll-free: (800) 478-8226
Fax: (907) 450-8312
  UAA IT Services
UAA IT Services can be reached by phone, email, or service portal.

Anchorage: (907) 786-4646
Toll Free: (877) 633-3888
  UAS IT Helpdesk
The University of Alaska Southeast IT Helpdesk can be reached via phone or email.

Helpdesk: 907-796-6400 
Toll Free: 877-465-6400

 

Important UA Policies For Students

As a student, there are a lot of UA policies that aren't necessarily applicable, unless you're doing research or working in an on-campus job. However, there are some that you do need to read and be aware of. Knowing the policies you need to adhere to as a student at UA will help protect you.

 

Acceptable Use Policy

The acceptable use policy outlines how students can responsibly use university IT resources like computers, networks, and software. It ensures that everyone uses these tools in ways that protect privacy, maintain security, and support academic goals. Students are expected to avoid misuse—like sharing passwords, accessing unauthorized data, or disrupting services—and to follow rules and guidance for safe and ethical technology use.

Generative AI Policy

There are currently policies in the works about the use of AI at the University of Alaska. If you plan on using AI tools (for either school, work, or personal use), there are currently guidelines in place at the system level to help you use AI safely and responsibly. It is also important to note that AI is accessing the same information that you have access to on the internet - if you can find fake or incorrect information on the internet, so can an AI tool. 

Student Rights/Responsibilities

The University of Alaska Board of Regents policy 09.02 covers student rights and responsibilities for students at any UA university. Each university also has its own student code of conduct and academic integrity policy. To get the most out of your time with the University of Alaska, it is worth reading these policies to be aware of the rights you have as a student and to note what you are not allowed to do.

Protecting Your Information

The University of Alaska does a lot behind the scenes at each of our campuses to protect your student data, from billing information to your grades. You may have already heard of FERPA (Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). These federal laws help protect information that you give the University of Alaska. The policies explained above also help keep data held by the University of Alaska safe, which in turn protects your information. That said, you also hold some responsibility to protect your personal information. When you're accessing the internet, whether for school, work, or personal use, there are many ways that you can enhance your data security.

 

Have Feedback?

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Email us at ua-securitymatters@alaska.edu