Claim your HarvardKey

HarvardKey is Harvard University's online user credentialing, uniquely identifying you to Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) applications and services. Your HarvardKey credentials are required for accessing PeopleSoft, a tool for reporting your time, as well as many other Harvard University financial applications. HarvardKey is independent from your HMS ID account.

  1. Claim your HarvardKey.
  2. Go back to the HarvardKey main page and select the Set Up & Manage Your Two-Step Verification link.
  3. HarvardKey FAQ.

HarvardKey is independent of your HMS account username and password.

Learn more about HarvardKey.

Activate your HMS account

An HMS account is required for access to HMS IT services such as email, collaboration shares, wireless network, research cluster, and the HMS Web Portal. HMS accounts are automatically created for those with a Harvard University ID (HUID) issued by Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard School of Public Health. Faculty and staff based at HMS-affiliated hospitals also qualify for an HMS account.

Your HMS account credentials consist of your HMS account ID and a password you set during activation. You HMS account ID is typically your initials followed by up to four numbers, like "abc123".

Before using an HMS account, you must activate it.

To activate your HMS account, visit the account management page and select “Activate your account.”

Harvard University ID (HUID)

When you were hired, you received a HUID number. If you haven’t received your HUID number yet, contact your hiring manager. Learn more about Harvard IDs.

Microsoft 365 account

You can access your HMS email inbox through the Outlook Web Access (OWA) interface by going to https://outlook.office365.com/. Log in using your HMS account ID and password.

HMS Wi-Fi and VPN

You can connect to the internet by Ethernet connection (wired) or wireless connections

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows HMS and HSDM quad-based faculty, staff, and students to access HMS network resources securely over the internet from a remote location. Request HMS VPN access through the service catalog.

Harvard University uses ️Duo, which makes the two-factor authentication (2FA) process quick and easy. Using ️Duo for Two-step verification is now required to access the HMS VPN.

HMS IT recommends Ivanti Secure Access for use with VPN connections. Download the Ivanti Secure Access (VPN) software and follow the instructions to get securely connected.

HMS Home Folder

Home folders are your very own personal, private folders, for your eyes only & accessible only by you. Quotas for HOME storage are 50 GB for HMS students.

See the File Sharing page for more information.

Student Computing web page

Visit the Student Computing website for links to student-related applications and resources.