Main menu

Managing your NCC Password

North Central College provides faculty, staff and students with a quick and easy way to change a password or reset an expired or forgotten password.  To help maintain password security, ITS is unable to perform password changes over the phone.

Password Portalhttps://password.noctrl.edu

IMPORTANT: The password reset tool will only work to reset a forgotten password if you have already enrolled your account in PortalGuard and configured multi-factor authentication.  

If you have forgotten your password and have not enrolled your account, you will have to visit the ITS Help Desk in Carnegie 110 with a picture ID to have your password reset.

PortalGuard Enrollment


 

STEP 1 - Download the Microsoft Authenticator App
 
Before you begin, download the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device (if not already installed)
 
     a.  Apple App Store - Microsoft Authenticator App
     b.  Android Google Play Store: Microsoft Authenticator App
 

 

STEP 2 - Go to the NCC Self-Service Password Portal
 
On your computer, navigate to the new NCC Self-Service Password Portal
 

 
STEP 3 - Login to PortalGuard
 
Enter your NCC username (not your full @noctrl.edu email address)
Enter your NCC password (password is case sensitive)


 
 
STEP 4 - Select your Device Type
 
Select your "Phone Type" and then click "Continue"

-- A QR Code will be generated and displayed on screen

 

STEP 5 - Launch Microsoft Authenticator

Open the "Microsoft Authenticator" app on your mobile device

 

STEP 6 - Add Account to your Mobile Device
 
• Click the (+) sign to add a new account
• When prompted, select "Work or school account"
• Tap "Scan QR code"

 
 
STEP 7 - Scan QR Code
 
  • Scan the QR code with your mobile device
  • In the "2nd Factor/One Time Passcode" field enter the x-digit code that appears under your token in the app
    Example Token Name: North Central College MFA (username)
  • Click Continue

 
STEP 8 - Continue
 
Click on "Continue logging in"
 

STEP 9 - Verify your Information
 
  • Click on "Registered Email Address" to verify that your personal email address is correct
  • Click on "Registered Phones" to verify that your current phone number is listed


STEP 10 - Updating Incorrect Information
 
If your phone number or alternate email address are NOT correct, please login to Merlin Self Service --> User Profile to update your information.
 

Changing Your Password


Please follow the instructions below to change your password.  You do not need to "reset" your password if you still know your current password and it has not yet expired.
 

STEP 1 - Go to the NCC Self-Service Password Portal

Navigate to the new NCC Self-Service Password Portal
 
 
STEP 2  -  Log into PortalGuard
 
Enter your NCC username (not your full @noctrl.edu email address)
Enter your NCC password (password is case sensitive)
 
 
STEP 3 - Click on Change Password Link
 
Click on the link "Change your password now"
 
 
 
STEP 4 - Enter your current password
 
  Enter your current password and then click Continue
 
 
 
STEP 5 -  Retrieve One-Time Password (OTP) Code from App
 
  1.  Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your device
  2. Tap on your token "North Central College MFA (username)" to view your code
  3. Enter the 6-digit code from the Authenticator app and click "Continue"

STEP 6 -  Enter New Password

Your new password must meet the requirements listed on the page

  • Enter your new password
  • Type your new password again to confirm
  • Click Continue

STEP 7- Logout

Click the link to "Return to the Account Management page"

From the dropdown menu. click Logout

 

How to Reset Your Password via Authenticator App


STEP 1 - Go to the NCC Self-Service Password Portal

Navigate to the new NCC Self-Service Password Portal
 
 
STEP 2 - Click Forgot Password
 
Click on the "Forgot Password" link below the login button
 
 
 
STEP 3 - Username Search
 
In the "Username" field, enter your NCC username (not full email address)
Click Continue
 
 
 
STEP 4 - Enter a One Time Passcode
 

You will be prompted to enter a "One Time Passcode" (OTP) to access your account.

* This code is generated by the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.

Launch the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device
  1. Click on your token  "North Central College MFA (username)"
  2. Enter the 6-digit code into the "2nd Factor/One Time Passcode" field
  3. Click Continue

STEP 5 - Enter a New Password

  1. Type your new password in the "New Password" box
  2. Retype your new password in the "Confirm Password" box
  3. Click Continue

STEP 6 - Success!

Password reset successfully.
Click "Try to continue logging in" to access your account.

How to Reset your Password with Phone Number


STEP 1 - Go to the NCC Self-Service Password Portal

Navigate to the new NCC Self-Service Password Portal
 
 
STEP 2 - Click Forgot Password
 
Click on the "Forgot Password" link below the login button
 

 
STEP 3 - Username Search
 
In the "Username" field, enter your NCC username (not full email address)
Click Continue
 
 
 
STEP 4 - Alternate Options
 
Click on "Problems with this authentication option?"
 
 
 
STEP 5 - Send OTP as SMS
 
Click on the link for "Send OTP as SMS"
 
 
 
STEP 6 - Check your mobile device
 
You should receive a text message with your one-time passcode. Open the SMS text message on your device to view the code.
 
STEP 7 - Enter the OTP on the screen
 
Enter the one-time passcode from your text message into the 2nd Factor/One Time Passcode field

 
STEP 8 - Type in your new password
 
  • Enter your new password
  • Type in your new password again to confirm
  • Click Continue

STEP 9 - Password Reset Successfully

Click "Try to continue logging in"

How to Reset your Password with a Personal Email Address


STEP 1 - Go to the NCC Self-Service Password Portal

Navigate to the new NCC Self-Service Password Portal
 
 
STEP 2 - Click Forgot Password
 
Click on the "Forgot Password" link below the login button
 
 
STEP 3 - Username Search
 
In the "Username" field, enter your NCC username (not full email address)
Click Continue
 
 
STEP 4 - Alternate Options
 
Click on "Problems with this authentication option?"
 
 
STEP 5 - Send OTP as an email
 
Click on the link for "Send OTP in email"
This message will go to the email address listed in option 2.
 
 
STEP 6 - Check your Personal Email Account
 
Enter the one-time passcode that your received in your personal email account and click Continue
 
 
STEP 7 - Enter New Password
 
  • Enter your new password
  • Type in your new password again to confirm
  • Click Continue
 
STEP 8 - Password Reset Successfully
 
Click "Try to continue logging in"

 
 

Re-Register for MFA on a New Phone


If your Microsoft Authenticator app is no longer working for MFA, or if you've gotten a new phone, follow the instructions below:

  1. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone
     
  2. If your NCC token is still listed ("North Central College MFA (username)"
    * Tap on the token
    * Select the Setting (gear) icon
    * Select Remove account
    * Confirm Remove Account.
     
  3. Visit the Help Desk in person with a photo ID to reset your MFA method
    ----------   or ----------
    Contact the  Help Desk to request a Zoom meeting to reset your MFA method. **
    **You will be required to show your NCC ID card and your face with a high-quality video connection

     

The Help Desk is located in Carnegie 110 and is available to assist Monday - Friday from 8am - 4:30pm.

Update your Contact Information


Alternate methods of password reset use contact information stored within the College's student information system (SIS). Personal phone numbers and email accounts used to regain access to an account must be accurate in the SIS for this tool to be useful to you.

Please verify that your personal information is correct in the College's SIS (Merlin).

STEP 1 - Login to Merlin Self-Service

  1. On the purple Merlin login screen, enter your username or full email address
  2. You will be redirected to the NCC single-sign on page to complete you login
    Login with your full email address and current password
  3. Click "Sign in"

 

STEP 2 - Verify Your Information

  • Verify that a personal email address and cell/mobile phone is listed in your profile
     
  • Verify that the information listed is correct
     
  • If all information is correct, click the "Confirm" button for each category

 

STEP 3 - Update Incorrect or Missing Information

If your email address or phone number is MISSING

  • Click the + Add New Email or + Add New Phone buttons
  • Complete all fields
  • Click on the "Add" button to save the changes.

If your information is INCORRECT

  • Click on the pencil icon to edit/update your information.
  • Complete all fields
  • Click on the "Update" button to save the changes.

STEP 4 - Sign Out

When all changes are complete, click "Sign Out"

 

Tips for Selecting Better Passwords


Every account, computer or device containing any data you do not wish to lose should be protected with a strong password.  In the event you lose your computer or a mobile device, a well chosen password will be your first line of defense. Below are some tips to help you create better passwords.

Create strong passwords
 
  • A method you can use to remember and create a strong password is to use a passphrase or series of words
     
  • The password should contain a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters (except those expressly prohibited)
     
  • The password should be at least 8 characters, and remember, LONGER IS STRONGER.

Example:

  • Start with a phrase: "John likes to eat cookies"

  • Use the fist letter of each word with the first word being an uppercase letter: "Jltec"

  • Next add the name of the website you are visiting: "JltecAmazon"

  • Substitute characters for letters: Change all "E's" to a "3", all "A's" to the "@" symbol, all "S's" to "$"

  • The password then becomes "Jlt3c@m@zon"
     

Best Practices

  • Never share your password with others

  • Use different passwords for different sites/sytems (example: don't use the same password for your email account and your bank account)

  • Never write down or store your password where other may see or find it (like under a keyboard)

  • Do not create a password with information that can be easily guessed -- or with words found in the dictionary

  • Use multi-factor authentication if available
     

Bad Passwords
When creating a password, you should never use information such as your name, birthday, SSN, phone number or words that can be found in the dictionary.

Examples of bad passwords:

  • John0123

  • Password1

  • Password123

  • Rover25

Password & MFA - FAQs


Answers to common questions about PortalGuard MFA and password can be found in our FAQ section

Password FAQs