FAQ

Can I set two-step verification to automatically remember me for 30 days?

Yes you can! After logging in with your HarvardKey, you will be prompted for two-step verification. Check the box "Remember me for 30 days" before choosing a verification method. You will be remembered on that device and browser, and you will not need to confirm your identity with two-step verification again for 30 days.

Who can claim or manage my HarvardKey?

The short answer is YOU (and only you). Per Harvard's Information Security Policy you may not share your password or access credentials with anyone. HUIT or any IT service at Harvard cannot reset your password for you. The HarvardKey system is totally self-service - so that you are in control of all aspects of your own access. Please do not share your HarvardKey information with any other person, even a trusted individual in your life.

Why is my HUID/password (PIN) login expiring?

The HUID/password (formerly known as PIN) login type no longer meets current Harvard IT security standards and will be retired over the fall of 2016. HUID/password users who have not yet claimed a HarvardKey are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, and will also be reminded by email in advance of their HUID/password credential expiring. Once your HUID/password credential expires, you will no longer be able to access many of your Harvard services until you claim your HarvardKey. Read more about Why is my HUID/password (PIN) login expiring?

What if my HUID/password (PIN) login expires before I claim my HarvardKey?

You can always claim your HarvardKey, even after your HUID/password (formerly known as PIN) credential expires. However, once your HUID/password credential expires, you will no longer be able to access many of your Harvard services until you claim your HarvardKey. Learn more about this here. If you need any help claiming your HarvardKey, contact the IT Service Desk at ithelp@harvard.edu or 617-495-7777.

What additional steps can I take to improve account security?

Check out the Harvard Information Security guide to security awareness to learn more how you can keep yourself and Harvard more secure — and consider taking these two steps right away to make a big difference.

Use HarvardKey's two-step verification feature to set up your phone or device as way to verify your identity — making it harder for anyone but you to log in to your account. Read more about What additional steps can I take to improve account security?

Why do I need to log in to access some Harvard resources?

Many online resources within the Harvard Community require verification of your identity before granting you access. By supplying a login name and matching password, you can verify, or authenticate, your identity. In order to reduce the number of credentials that you need to remember, HarvardKey acts as a unifying credential verifying your identity across Harvard without the need for multiple ID/password pairs.

Who is eligible for access to protected Harvard resources?

A variety of individuals associated with the Harvard Community can gain access to protected Harvard online resources, including (but not limited to) the following:

Faculty
Staff
Students and Program Participants
Alumni
Library Borrowers
Individuals with sponsored affiliations (this broad category can include consultants/contractors, collaborators and inter-school affiliates, volunteers, tenants, non-Harvard academic advisors, overseers, and others)

The degree of access granted to an individual HarvardKey holder depends Read more about Who is eligible for access to protected Harvard resources?

What is HarvardKey?

HarvardKey is Harvard University’s unified credential for accessing a wealth of University applications and services with a single, convenient login name and password. In addition to enabling access to the Harvard applications and services you use every day, HarvardKey also offers an easy-to-use self-service portal for managing your account, including changing your password and updating your recovery information in case you forget your login details. HarvardKey also provides optional two-step verification to keep you even more secure.

As of December 3, 2015, users in Read more about What is HarvardKey?

How do I get my HarvardKey?

Over the autumn and winter of 2015-16, full HarvardKey functionality will be rolled out to users across the University Community. Visit the HarvardKey news page to see the latest updates to the rollout schedule.

As of December 3, 2015, users in FAS, Central Admin, GSE, GSD, HDS, HLS, HMS, HSDM, HSPH, and SEAS are eligible to claim and use a HarvardKey Read more about How do I get my HarvardKey?