To protect your account, Google provides a security step called 2-Step Verification. As a Trust, we want to do as much as we can to keep our accounts secure and have enforced 2-Step Verification to kick in on accounts after a period of time. If you aren't already using 2-Step Verification before this period ends, you'll be locked out of your account. To avoid this, please follow the below steps to enable 2-Step Verification.

What is 2-Step Verification?

2-Step Verification (also called '2SV') adds an extra layer of protection to your account beyond your password. When you try and sign in to your account, 2-Step Verification will send an additional prompt to check that it's you. This might be a text message or phone call providing a code, or a screen on your phone double-checking you're trying to log in. This provides an extra barrier in case your password becomes known or is guessed by a mischievous or malicious party.

How do I enable 2-step Verification?

The first step is to log into your Google account. If your account has already been locked, please create a new ticket or email ithelpdesk@atctrust.org.uk if you have access to another device (a phone, for example). Alternatively, please contact IT directly, or ask a colleague to raise a ticket on your behalf. 

Once logged in we need to visit the 'My Account' section. The easiest way to do this is by clicking on the profile icon in the top right-hand corner. This is usually either the initial of your first name or your photo if you're uploaded one. 

The Profile icon in the Gmail header

The above image is taken from Gmail, but most Google tools work the same way. Click on the initial (or photo, if you have one) and a popup will appear

The Account popup that appears when clicking on the profile icon

In the popup, click 'Manage your Google Account'. This will open up the My Account page, where you can make changes to how your Google account works. 

My Account page in Google

To get to 2-Step Verification, we need to click on 'Security' in the menu to the left-hand side (on smaller devices the menu may be at the top of the page). 

The Security page in My Account

On the Security page, we need to find the 'How you sign in to Google' section. If you can't see it straight away, scroll down. Next, we need to click on '2-Step Verification'.

The 2-Step Verfification overview page

The 2-Step Verficiation section starts with a quick overview of what's involved. Next, we need to click on 'Get Started'. 

Different Verification Methods

Text/Phone Verification

The next page will vary depending on how you've previously used your account. If you've never used your account on your phone (checking emails, etc.) then you'll see the following screen:

Phone Setup Screen for Text message and phone call

Enter your phone number and select 'Text Message' (Note: you can use Phone call, but we recommend text message for practicality)

You'll then see the next screen: 

Message confirmation screen - Enter the code

When you receive your code via text message type it into the page and then click 'Next'. If successful, the following page will appear: 

Message confirmation screen - Turn on

Finally, click 'Turn on' and you'll see a Security page again, this time with the 2-Step Verification status of 'On since...' and the date you enabled it. 

Using Phone Prompts

If you have added your ATC Trust Google account to your phone you will have the option to use your phone itself as part of the verification steps. 

Use your phone as your second step to sign in

After the 2-Step Verfification page, rather than being prompted to enter a phone number, the devices linked to your Google account that can receive prompts are listed. Click continue to confirm the device. 

Set a phone number as a backup option

On the next page, you will be prompted to set up a backup phone number, similar to the process, above, without using phone prompts. 

Finally, the confirmation page is displayed, showing all of the verification methods. Click 'Turn on' to review the Security page again. 

Verification steps summary