Security Settings for Zoom Meetings in Canvas

Environment

Zoom in Canvas integration

Issue

  • What security settings does ITS recommend for Zoom Meetings scheduled through Canvas?
  • How do I set security settings for Zoom Meetings in Canvas?
  • If I add a passcode to the meeting, will my students be asked to enter the passcode? Do I need to send it to them?

Resolution

Recommended security settings

ITS recommends either Authentication OR a Waiting Room.

How to decide: Are the only people who should be attending the course meeting students, faculty, or staff of U-M?

You may use multiple options for increased security. However, ITS recommends using at least one of the above settings, and not simply a passcode, as a passcode is the least secure option.

How do I add security settings to Zoom Meetings in Canvas?

Complete these steps for each course for which you have upcoming meetings. Previous meetings do not need to be changed.

  1. Navigate to your course in Canvas
  2. Navigate to Zoom in the course navigation
  3. Ensure you are in the Upcoming Meetings tab
  4. Click the Topic of the first listed meeting to open the settings
    • Note: You can only edit meetings for which you are the host. If the Topic is not clickable, it's because someone else is the host, and they will have to make these changes.
  5. Click Edit this Meeting near the bottom of the page
  6. Add at least one security setting as follows:
    • To add a Waiting Room: Check the Waiting Room box in the Security section. (Don't forget to configure your Waiting Room settings using the U-M recommended settings - this must be done outside of Canvas)
    • To use Authentication: Check the Meeting Options box next to Require authentication to join and ensure University of Michigan Users is selected from the drop-down menu
    • To use a Passcode: Check the Passcode box in the Security section and enter the passcode you would like to use
  7. Click Save

Recurring Meetings Note: If you have set up recurring meetings in your course, you only need to edit the first meeting. All other recurring meetings in the series will inherit the changes you made to the first meeting. To confirm this is correct, click on the second or third recurring meeting in the series after editing the first one and confirm that the settings now show the changes you made to the first meeting.

If I add a passcode, will my students be asked to enter the passcode? Do I need to send it to them?

No. If students join the Zoom Meeting in any of the following ways, they will not be prompted to enter the passcode. (They will bypass the passcode and enter the meeting because the passcode will be encrypted and embedded in the URL):

  • The Join button via the Zoom integration inside the Canvas course
  • The "Click here to join Zoom Meeting: [MEETING ID]" link from the Canvas Calendar
  • The most recent Join URL link from the Canvas Inbox (i.e., Canvas Conversations)
  • The most recent Join URL link from the Canvas email notification (i.e., the email notification of a Canvas Inbox/Conversations message)

Note: If you add a passcode to your Zoom Meetings using the Zoom web interface (i.e., https://zoom.umich.edu) instead of through Canvas, only the first option above will work. In order for Canvas Calendar to be updated with the new link and for a new Canvas Conversations message to be sent, the change must be made through Canvas.

Additional Information

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.