What is Two Factor Authentication?
Two factor authentication is often explained as ‘something you know and something you have’, the idea is that two different things are used to prove you are who you say you are. It’s a concept that will be familiar to many users of online banking, where even after you log in, in order to initiate a funds transfer or some other specific activity you are asked to enter a code sent to your mobile phone.
Parent authentication in EdSmart
Every email sent to a parent from EdSmart is unique. It contains a tracking code unique to that parent contact, student and permission slip. That’s how we are able to determine that a parent has opened a particular email, even if they have not yet submitted a response.
The links in the emails the parents click are also completely unique, which ensures we know who is making a response when the parent clicks through to fill out the form.
This is the default authentication mechanism for EdSmart – because the parent clicked a link sent to their personal email address that is completely unique to them, the student and the slip, we consider this authentication that the person completing the form is the designated parent.
Introducing Two Factor Authentication in EdSmart
For schools who wish to have a stronger level of authentication EdSmart offers two factor authentication. This requires parents to create a password the first time they complete and submit a Slip.
In order to create a password the parent must enter a four digit code number sent to their mobile phone. The code is only valid for 30 minutes, meaning the parent must have their phone close to hand, if they are not already viewing the slip via their smart phone.
The next time they submit a slip, they will enter the password they created. If they forget their password, they can create a new one using the same method, with a new code sent to their phone.
Two factor authentication is an optional feature, please contact us to arrange it to be enabled for your account, or if you would like a demonstration.