Informational Notice: Carolina Key – Improving UNC’s digital security
November 4, 2022
UNC Students,
We’re asking for your help in our fight against the ever-increasing number of phishing attempts and cyberattacks that Carolina faces daily. As you know, passwords are the weakest point in digital security because scammers craft emails and login pages designed to get you to enter your password and approve two-step notifications. Once they have your password it is often duplicated, sold, and traded worldwide.
What is UNC doing?
We’re launching a passwordless login option called Carolina Key. When used along with your Onyen, Carolina Key eliminates the need to use both your password and two-step with many of the University’s systems while improving the University’s digital security. Read more about a future without passwords on ITS News.
What can you do?
- Register your devices with Carolina Key to start using Carolina Key instead of a password to log in to campus systems like Sakai, Canvas, TIM, and ConnectCarolina.
- After registering, let us know how it went. Your feedback helps us know what we’re doing right and where we can improve. Future students will thank you.
- Carolina Key is available to all students, so encourage your friends to register too.
More about Carolina Key.
Registering your phone and laptop with Carolina Key allows UNC’s single sign-on (SSO) system to recognize your registered device as a “trusted” device. Once registered, you can set up and use authentication methods like fingerprint or facial recognition instead of your Onyen password. Rest assured the University doesn’t have access to this information; it remains on your devices.
Depending on your device, you may be able to use:
- Facial Recognition
- Fingerprint
- YubiKey or FIDO2 (fast identity online)
- Four-digit or Six-digit number (PIN)
Be part of our move toward a more secure, passwordless future.
Mike Barker
Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer