@ibiblio.org Google Workspace Gmail 2-step enforcement

WHAT: 2-Step Verification required for ibiblio-managed Gmail and other Google Workspace apps.

WHY: Google is rolling out a 2-step requirement, and the University is also rolling out a 2-step requirement. We want all contributors to receive support in making the transition to using 2-step to access their accounts before these requirements come into force in a way that we are unable to give additional time.

WHAT, but longer this time:

Google has instructions for turning on 2-step verification, and the only thing we at ibiblio would add is that we suggest you save backup codes to paper and put that in a fire bag or fire safe.

It’s regrettable that we are at a point where account compromise is so prevalent that we have to make logins slightly more complicated for everybody, but a silver lining is that you’ll be radically less likely to have your life turned upside down by an account compromise if you use a strong form of second factor authentication for all your accounts.

Here’s that google help link again.

WHEN:

Originally this change rolled out today, Monday the 20th of October. A very small number of people reached out asking for more time, so the date has been pushed back, but you don’t have to wait until the last minute. Why not set up 2-step now?

WHO:

This change applies to ibiblio contributors who have an email of the form webmaster@ibiblio.org or other @ibiblio.org email that they access via Gmail, as well as roughly 30 additional domains whose Google Workspace instance is managed by ibiblio. If you manage your collection using an @gmail.com address, or your only context for email at ibiblio is a subscription to a list at https://lists.ibiblio.org, this change is not relevant to you, but you should turn on 2-step anyway. :wink: