VISTA - FAQ

General

VISTA (VSU Identification System for Technology Access), our Identity Access Management (IAM) and Single Sign-On (SSO) solution. Powered by Okta, VISTA represents our commitment to providing a secure, efficient, and user-friendly access management solution.

IAM stands for Identity and Access Management. It is a framework that ensures the right people have access to the resources they need, while keeping unauthorized users out. 

Here are some key things IAM helps with:

  • Verification: IAM makes sure it's really you trying to access a resource by using things like passwords or multi-factor authentication.
  • Permissions: IAM controls what a user can do once they are verified. For example, an IAM system might allow an editor to change a document but not delete it.
  • Security: By controlling access, IAM helps to keep data and resources safe from unauthorized access.

  • Your username is your VSU Email address
  • Your password is your VSU Email password

There will be no changes to your access as we transition to VISTA.

Contact the ITS (Information Technology Services) Service Desk at 804-524-5210 if you have any issues.

My VISTA Account

You can access your vista apps from the URL: https://login.vsu.edu

  • Your username is your VSU Email address
  • Your password is your VSU Email password

If you are locked out of your account but still remember your password, select Unlock Account? at the bottom of the sign-in page.  You may receive a prompt to re-authenticate with a password and other security methods configured for your organization. Contact the ITS (Information Technology Services) Service Desk at 804-524-5210 if you have any issues.

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Note: If you do not see the Forgot password? link or the security method is not working, contact the ITS (Information Technology Services) Service Desk at 804-524-5210.

Contact the ITS (Information Technology Services) Service Desk at 804-524-5210 to update your MFA information.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA stands for Multi-Factor Authentication. It's an extra layer of security for logging in to accounts on top of just a password.  With MFA, you need to provide two or more pieces of evidence to verify your identity.

Here's how MFA works:

  • Something you know: This is usually your password.
  • Something you have: This could be your phone, a security key, or a code generating app.
  • Something you are: This is biometric authentication like your fingerprint or facial recognition.

Even if a hacker steals your password, they still would not be able to get into your accounts without the additional verification factor from MFA. This makes it much more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access.

VSU allows the following MFA methods:

  • Authenticator App
  • Telephone Text Message

Contact the ITS (Information Technology Services) Service Desk at 804-524-5210 to update your MFA information.

No, MFA is required for all VISTA Apps.

No, you do not need to set up your security method again unless you reset the security method.

Yes. If you have Okta Verify set up as your factor, you can use the 6-digit code generated in the app to verify your login even if your phone is not connected to the internet or cellular data.

Yes. If you are traveling internationally and need access to VSU resources, we highly recommend setting up Okta Verify or Google Authenticator as a verification method before you depart.

Authenticators

An authenticator app is a mobile application that provides an extra layer of security to your online accounts by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs). These passwords are used for two-factor authentication (2FA) and help protect your accounts from unauthorized access.

VSU allows the following MFA methods:

  • Okta Verify App
  • Google Authenticator

Okta Verify is an MFA app developed by Okta that protects your data, ensuring that only you can access your app accounts. You can install Okta Verify on mobile devices.

You can use Okta Verify to confirm your identity using a push notification sent to your iOS or Android mobile device. If your sign-in page displays Sign in with Okta FastPass, you can use Okta Verify to sign in without using a username or password.

An authenticator app is a mobile application that provides an extra layer of security to your online accounts by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs). These passwords are used for two-factor authentication (2FA) and help protect your accounts from unauthorized access.

Google Authenticator is an MFA app developed by Google that protects your data. You can install Google Authenticator on mobile devices.

If you select Keep me signed in before you enter your credentials, it reduces the number of authentication prompts you see the next time you sign in.

Note: Do not select Keep me signed in on shared or personal computers.

The Sign in with Okta FastPass button allows you to sign in without entering your username.

To use Okta FastPass, you must download and set up the Okta Verify app on your device.

No, you can’t use Okta FastPass without Okta Verify.