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Single Sign On (SSO) Register and Login Guide

Introduction

This guide will take you through the registration and login process for SMDH SSO. If you have any problems please read the FAQ section below first. If your issue persists please contact support@smdh.uk.

What is MFA?

In most cases, when logging into an account online, you are required to provide a password (something you know). In today’s online world, relying on a password alone is a security risk, passwords can be cracked and are published on the dark web or can be bought.

Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) provides an additional layer of security for protecting online accounts. As the name suggests, MFA requires at least two factors of authentication to provide secure access to your SMDH SSO account. There are three overarching types of authentication:

  • Something you know, this is most commonly a password
  • Something you own, commonly known as a phone or USB security key
  • Something you are, biometrics such as fingerprints, face and/or voice recognition.

We require that a user can authenticate against two different overarching types of authentication before gaining access to their SMDH SSO account. To do this we provide two different login flows, both of which require a username (email address):

  1. Password + One Time Passcode (OTP)
  2. Webauthn

Option one allows you to login using a password and a OTP that is generated on your phone using a phone-app. You then type this passcode into a form-field when authenticating. We directly support the freely downloadable Microsoft & Google Authenticator apps for both IoS and Android (you can use other authenticator apps, but we may not be able to provide support if something goes wrong).

Option two facilitates ‘passwordless’ authentication. This provides you with many different ways to authenticate including Windows Hello, Apple Touch ID with pin, face and fingerprint using your phone or laptop (if the phone has a fingerprint or face reader), and many other methods. Once set up, this is a very easy and quick way to authenticate. For more information see the WebAuthn guide.

How to Register / Create Your Account

Go to any SMDH platform linked from smdh.uk and click the login/register button, this is normally located in the top right of the page. We recommend using mdep.smdh.uk.

  1. Click the “New user? Register” button which is at the bottom of the page
  2. Fill in the form:
    1. Email - We suggest that you use your work email address.
    2. Password - Create a password
    3. Confirm password - Confirm the password by repeating it
    4. First name - Type in your first/forename
    5. Last name - Type in your last/surname
    6. Complete the I am not a robot challenge
  3. Click the register button.
  4. You will now see the SMDH Terms of Service contract. Please read and then click the “Accept” button.
  5. You will now need to verify your email address.
    1. Go to your email inbox and wait for the email to arrive (you may need to check your junk mail)
    2. Click the verify button in the email you received

  6. You can now select one or both authentication methods we offer. For more information about these options, see the "What is MFA?" section.

    1. If you select One Time Passcode you need to scan the QR code with your mobile authentication application and then type in the one-time code (download and install Google or Microsoft authentication app first).

    2. If you select Webauthn follow the on screen instructions.

  7. You have now registered your account and can move to the login instructions.

How to Login

Go to any SMDH platform linked from smdh.uk and click the login button, this is normally located in the top right of the page.

  1. Type in your email address in the email address field

  2. Depending on your selected authentication method follow one of two flows below

    1. With One-Time-Passcode

      Go to your mobile authentication app you set up in the registration step and type the passcode into the field shown on the login process.

    2. With Webauthn

      Click the “Sign in with Security Key” button and follow the on screen instructions.

If you have set up both methods of authentication you can also click the “Try Another Way” button to go to the One-Time-Passcode flow.

FAQ

Registration

I don't want to or cannot use MFA, can i still create an account?

Without MFA we cannot provide the security level required to secure your account and data. For this reason, all accounts require MFA.

I have entered the One-Time-Passcode but its says invalid code

Follow the set of fixes below

  1. Make the QR code bigger on screen (zoom in). Sometimes phone cameras can mis-read the QR code
  2. If you can try and use a different mobile authentication application and try again
  3. Click the link below the QR code to bring up the backup one time code, you can enter this into your mobile authentication app instead of scanning the QR code.
  4. If all these options above do not work please contact support@smdh.uk

Login

I am trying to login and it's asking for a One-time code?

Go and check your mobile authentication applications for a code. It will normally have the title "Smart Manufacturing Data Hub - <your email address>".

I have forgot my password

Click the "Forgot password?" button below the password input field and type in your email. You will receive an email which will allow you to reset your password.

I can no longer access my MFA

Email support@smdh.uk from the email address used to register your account and request a MFA reset.