Why does Mission Cultivate use two-factor authentication?

Passwords alone have a fundamental weakness: if someone learns yours through a data breach, a phishing attempt, or a good guess, they have everything they need. Two-factor authentication (2FA) closes that gap by requiring a second proof of identity in the moment, typically a code from your phone or authenticator app, so that stolen credentials alone are never enough. For a defense technology platform, the stakes of unauthorized access are high, and 2FA ensures that getting in requires both something you know and something you physically have. It adds about ten seconds to your login process but the overall protection it provides is substantial.

What is an authenticator application?

An authenticator app is a small program/app you install on your phone that generates a short, time-sensitive code every 30 seconds. Before you successfully log in, you open the app and enter the current code as your second form of verification. The code is unique to your account and expires almost immediately, so even if someone intercepts it, it is useless within moments. Popular options include Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy.

Setting up 2FA with an authenticator app

1. Complete your registration after receiving your Mission Cultivate email invitation. The registration is a quick form where you set a password and confirm your name.

2. Log in to your account. On your first login, you'll be prompted to set up 2FA. From the dropdown, select Authenticator app.

3. Open your authenticator app of choice (such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy), then:

   1. Scan the QR code displayed on screen

   2. Enter the 6-digit verification code shown in your authenticator app into the Verification code field

   3. Press Enable

Setting up 2FA with email

1. Complete your registration after receiving your Mission Cultivate email invitation. The registration is a quick form where you set a password and confirm your name.

2. Log in to your account. On your first login, you'll be prompted to set up 2FA. From the dropdown, select Email.

3. Confirm your email address is correct, then click Send a one-time code.

   1. Check your inbox for the email containing your 6-digit code
      

      

   2. Enter the code in the Verification code field.

   3. Press Enable