PingID Administration Guide

Configuring the PingID desktop app PIN

As an extra layer of security, you have the option to require users to enter a 4 or 6-digit PIN code to access the PingID desktop app.

About this task

If this option is enabled:

  • A user is prompted to create a PIN code when they pair the desktop app. The PIN code must include at least 3 or 4 different digits for PIN lengths of 4 and 6 digits, respectively. Digits must not be in ascending or descending sequence, such as 1234.

  • A user is prompted to enter the PIN code each time they launch the PingID app.

  • The desktop app is locked after 3 minutes of inactivity, and the user is required to enter the PIN to unlock it.

  • In the event of 3 consecutive incorrect PIN entries, the user is blocked from accessing the app for 2 minutes. This applies to both the PIN entry and the PIN change windows. Lockdown takes effect from the time of the lock, irrespective of whether the desktop app remains open or is closed and relaunched.

  • The desktop app must be online for a user to pair the app. However, a user who is offline can still create a PIN, enter the PIN to access the desktop app, or change their PIN.

  • The desktop app must be online for a change in PIN configuration to take effect, such as enabling or disabling the PIN or changing its length.

  • If a user pairs the desktop app to more than one organization, the user must create only one PIN, according to the most restrictive organization requirements. For example:

    • If only one organization has enabled the Desktop Security PIN feature, the user is required to enter their PIN to use the desktop app for authentication to all organizations, including those which do not require the PIN.

    • If one organization requires a 4-Digit PIN and a second organization requires a 6-Digit, the user will be required to enter a 6- digit PIN.

  • If the PIN code is already enabled, and the administrator changes the length of the PIN code required, users must first enter the app using the old PIN and then create a new PIN of the new length.

Steps

  1. In the admin portal, go to Setup → PingID → Configuration.

  2. Go to the Alternate Authentication Methods section and in the Desktop row, select Enable.

    A screen capture of the Alternate Authentication Methods section.

  3. In the Desktop Security PIN section, click either 4-Digit or 6-Digit to indicate the PIN length. Click Save. A screen capture of the Desktop Security PIN section.

Result

If an administrator edits the PingID desktop configuration to require a PIN code, changes are implemented at the user level according to the PingID version and the user flow.

  • Users installing the PingID desktop app for the first time are prompted to create a PIN at the end of the desktop app pairing flow.

  • Users with the PingID desktop app 1.4 or later already paired are prompted to define a PIN code the next time the user opens the PingID desktop app while online.

  • Users with the PingID desktop app earlier than 1.4 already paired must update the PingID desktop app for the changes to take effect. The user is prompted to define a PIN code the next time they launch the new version of the desktop app.