Signing in and setting up multi-factor authentication (MFA)

This article covers how to sign in to CloudRadial AutomationAI for the first time and how to turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) so a second factor protects your account. It is written so you can complete it even if you have never used an authenticator app before, and it applies to all roles.

We'll follow four main steps:

1. Signing in for the first time
2. Installing an authenticator app, if you do not have one
3. Enrolling in MFA
4. Saving your recovery codes

Step 1: Signing In For the First Time

Why are we doing this? You need to be signed in to AutomationAI before you can turn on MFA.

Open the AutomationAI sign-in page (the link is in your onboarding email), enter your work email, then choose how you want to authenticate. Three methods are available:

• Microsoft, sign in with your Microsoft 365 account
• Google, sign in with your Google account
• Email and password, enter your email, select Continue, then enter your password

Note: If you do not have a password yet, select Email me a sign-in code to receive a 6-digit code by email, then enter it to sign in.

Note: When you sign in with Microsoft or Google, AutomationAI always shows the account chooser so you can pick which account to use. It will not silently sign you in with whichever account your browser used last, so choose the account whose email matches your AutomationAI user.

If the account you pick is not linked to an AutomationAI user, sign-in stops and the message names the exact email that was used. That almost always means the wrong account was chosen: sign in again and pick the account whose email matches your AutomationAI user, or ask your administrator to confirm which email is set up for you.

Step 2: Installing an Authenticator App, If You Do Not Have One

Why are we doing this? MFA uses an authenticator app that generates a time-based 6-digit code that changes every 30 seconds. If you already use one, skip to Step 3.

On your phone, install an authenticator app from your app store, such as Microsoft Authenticator, 1Password, or Authy.

Note: Any app that supports time-based one-time codes (TOTP) will work, so if your organization already standardizes on one, use that.

Step 3: Enrolling in MFA

Why are we doing this? Enrolling links your account to your authenticator app so a second factor is required each time you sign in.

1. Go to Personal Settings > Security (/personal-settings/security).
2. Select Set up authenticator app.
3. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app. If you can't scan it, expand Can't scan it? Enter this key manually and type the key into your app.
4. Enter the 6-digit code your app shows, then select Verify and enable.

After the code verifies, MFA is enabled and you will enter a code from your authenticator app each time you sign in.

Step 4: Saving Your Recovery Codes

Why are we doing this? Recovery codes let you sign in if you lose access to your authenticator app, for example if your phone is lost, replaced, or wiped.

Immediately after you enable MFA, AutomationAI shows a set of Recovery Codes.

• Each code is single-use.
• If you re-enroll in MFA later, your existing recovery codes are invalidated and a new set is issued.

REQUIRED: The codes are shown only once. Store them somewhere safe, such as your password manager, before you continue.

When you have saved them, select I've saved them, done.

When Your Workspace Requires MFA

Your workspace can require MFA for everyone. If it does and you have not yet enrolled, you are taken to a two-factor authentication setup screen right after sign-in and must enroll before you can reach the rest of the app. Scan the QR code, enter the 6-digit code, select Verify and enable, and save the recovery codes that follow. When MFA is required by your workspace, it cannot be turned off from Personal Settings > Security.

Once MFA is enabled and your recovery codes are saved, your account is protected and you are ready for the rest of setup. Next: Managing team members and roles.

If you are still having trouble, we're here to help! Submit a ticket here for assistance, and don't forget to check our status page to ensure there are no outages in your area.