Account Setup · Student Portal

Setting up your Okta account, step by step.

All Walsh Portal users must activate their Okta account before logging in for the first time. Follow this guide to complete registration, set a secure password, and enable multi-factor authentication.

Start Registration → Enable MFA

Setup at a Glance

Registration
steps

MFA methods
available

MFA methods
recommended

Required to
complete

Portal sso.walshcollege.edu

Support Email support@walshcollege.ae

MFA Required Yes — All Users

Platform iOS & Android

First-Time Login Okta Verify Google Authenticator SMS Authentication Multi-Factor Auth

Before You Begin

Three Things to Know.

All Walsh Portal users must activate their Okta account before logging in. Here is what you need to have ready before starting.

📱

Download Okta Verify

Before you begin account activation, download the Okta Verify app on your mobile device. It is available on both the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) and is required during setup and for ongoing MFA sign-in.

✉️

Activation Email

You will receive an official Okta activation email containing your username and your organisation sign-in link. This link has an expiry time — act on it promptly after receiving it.

If the link expires and shows "token expired" — contact support@walshcollege.ae or helpdesk@walshcollege.edu immediately for a new link.

🛡

MFA is Mandatory

Multi-Factor Authentication is required for all Walsh staff, faculty, and students. You must configure at least one MFA method. We strongly recommend setting up two methods in case one is unavailable.

First-Time Login

Account Activation — Step by Step.

Follow these six steps to activate your Walsh College Okta account. Have your activation email and mobile phone ready before you start.

Download Okta Verify

Receive Activation Email

Set Your Password

Security Question

Recovery and Verification

Complete Setup

Step 1 of 6

Download First

Download the Okta Verify App

Before activating your account, download Okta Verify on your mobile device. It is required for account activation and for authenticating every future sign-in.

Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android)
Search for Okta Verify and install the official app by Okta, Inc.
Open the app and leave it ready — you will use it later to scan a QR code

Step 2 of 6

Check Your Email

Receive Your Okta Activation Email

Walsh College will send you an official Okta activation email containing your username and your organisation sign-in link. Open it on a desktop or laptop for the best experience.

Token Expired? If the link shows a "token expired" message, do not attempt multiple logins. Contact support@walshcollege.ae or helpdesk@walshcollege.edu for a fresh activation link.

Check your registered email inbox and spam folder for an email from Okta
Click the activation link — this opens the Walsh College Okta setup wizard
Never share your activation link or username with anyone

Step 3 of 6

Create Credentials

Create a Secure Password

You will be prompted to create a new password on the activation page. Follow Walsh College security guidelines — use a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

Minimum 8 characters using a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
Do not reuse a password previously used for Walsh accounts
Store your password securely — consider using a password manager
Never share your password with anyone including IT support staff

Step 4 of 6

Account Recovery

Set Your Security Question

Select a security question and provide your answer. This is used to verify your identity during account recovery if you are ever locked out.

Select a security question from the provided dropdown
Type your answer carefully — it is case-sensitive in some configurations
Write down and store your answer safely alongside your password

Step 5 of 6

Recovery and Verification

Add Phone Number and Security Image

These optional but recommended steps add extra protection to your account and make recovery significantly easier if you ever lose access.

Phone number (optional) — used for SMS-based password resets and account unlocks
Security image (optional) — a personalised image shown on the login page to confirm you are on a genuine Walsh sign-in page
Walsh recommends adding both for maximum account protection

Walsh strongly recommends setting up two-factor authentication after completing this step. Proceed to the MFA section below once registration is done.

Step 6 of 6

All Done

Complete Setup and Access Your Dashboard

Review your account details and click Finish. You will be redirected to your Okta dashboard with shortcuts to all authorised Walsh applications.

Click Finish to complete account activation
You will land on the Okta dashboard showing all Walsh applications
Access the Student Portal, Moodle, and all authorised tools from one secure dashboard
Proceed to MFA setup below — it is mandatory for all Walsh users

Go to Student Portal ↗ Set Up MFA ↓

Multi-Factor Authentication

Enable MFA — Required for All Users.

MFA is a mandatory extra layer of security for all Walsh staff, faculty, and students. Choose at least one of the three methods below — we strongly recommend setting up two.

📲

Okta Verify

Recommended

Push notifications and time-based one-time passcodes via the Okta Verify app. The most seamless MFA method — approve sign-ins with a single tap on your phone.

Download and open Okta Verify
Click Setup when prompted in your browser
Scan the QR code with your phone camera
Click Finish to complete enrollment

🔑

Google Authenticator

Alternative

Generates a six-digit time-based code every 30 seconds. Works entirely offline and is a strong backup when Okta Verify is unavailable. Lock-out after 5 failed attempts requires admin reset.

Download Google Authenticator
Click Set up when prompted in browser
Scan QR code or enter secret key manually
Enter the 6-digit code to confirm setup

💬

SMS Authentication

Backup Option

Receive a one-time verification code via text message. Requires mobile signal — best used as a backup method alongside Okta Verify or Google Authenticator, not as your only MFA method.

Click Setup next to Text Message Code
Enter your mobile phone number
Click Send Code and enter the token

SMS messages will be sent on each login even if you previously opted out. If this is a concern, use a different MFA method.

Strongly Recommended: Configure more than one MFA method in case SMS or wireless services are unavailable when you need to sign in. Okta Verify plus SMS is the most reliable combination for most users.

Full Setup Guides

Complete Instructions for
Every MFA Method.

Click any section below for step-by-step setup, QR code scanning, manual configuration, and troubleshooting instructions.

Device Enrollment

When you attempt to log in to your Walsh account for the first time after registration, you will be prompted to enrol your device with Okta Verify. During enrollment, the app uses your device camera to scan a QR code displayed in your browser.

Initial Setup Process

Click Setup when prompted on the "Set up multi-factor authentication" screen
Select your device type and click Next
Open the Okta Verify app on your phone

iOS: Tap Add Account, allow notifications and camera access, then point your camera at the QR code shown in your browser
Android: Tap the + icon, then point your camera at the QR code in your browser
Allow camera access and scan the QR code when prompted
Click Finish in your browser to complete enrollment

Cannot Scan the QR Code?

Use the manual setup method if your camera cannot scan the QR code displayed in the browser.

Click "Can't scan?" in your browser

Choose one of the following: Send activation link via SMS, Send via Email, or Set up manually (copy the Secret Key)

Open Okta Verify and select No barcode?
Enter your Walsh email address and the Secret Key, then tap Add Account

Enter the verification code displayed in the Okta Verify app
Click Verify to complete manual enrollment

About Google Authenticator

The Google Authenticator app generates a six-digit verification code every 30 seconds. You have 30 seconds to enter the code after it appears. After five unsuccessful attempts, your account is locked and requires an administrator to reset it.

Initial Configuration

Click Set up when prompted in your browser

Select your mobile device type
Download and install Google Authenticator from App Store or Google Play
Scan the QR code displayed on your screen

Manual Setup

Open Google Authenticator and click Get Started
Select Enter a setup key to configure manually
In the username field enter your Walsh username (e.g. username@walshcollege.edu)
Click "Can't scan" on your computer to retrieve the secret key
Enter the secret key into the app and click Done

After 5 failed login attempts, your account will be locked and will require admin reset. Contact support@walshcollege.ae if this occurs.

Setup SMS Authentication

Click Setup next to Text Message Code in the MFA settings screen

Enter your mobile phone number including country code (e.g. +971 for UAE)
Click Send Code

Enter the security token received via SMS

Reset or Update Your Phone Number

To change your phone number, go to the Account tab on your Okta homepage and click Setup in the Extra Verification section.

Note: When SMS authentication is enabled, you will receive verification texts each time you sign in — even if SMS opt-out was previously requested on your device. If this is a concern, use Okta Verify or Google Authenticator as your primary method instead.

Setting up your Okta account, step by step.

Three Things to Know.

Account Activation — Step by Step.

Enable MFA — Required for All Users.

Why is MFA Required?