Notice - SBCC Authentication Update

Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) has updated its system sign-in process. Links to common services may have changed. Please go to my.sbcc.edu to find updated links and sign into the services you need.

my.sbcc.edu

You are seeing this message for one of the following reasons:

• The sign-in information saved on your preferred browser is associated with the old authentication system and is no longer valid. See Troubleshooting Tips below.

• The bookmark you are using is associated with the old authentication system. Please navigate to the site where you originally found the service link (usually my.sbcc.edu) and update your bookmark.
• The link you are using is associated with the old authentication system. Please contact the SBCC IT Service Desk for assistance and to report the incorrect link: Get IT Help
• The service you are attempting to access has not been migrated to the new authentication method or is malfunctioning. Please contact the SBCC IT Service Desk for assistance and to report the malfunction: Get IT Help

Troubleshooting Tips

Option 1: Open an Incognito (Private) Window in Google Chrome

A quick way to find out if your authentication issues are the result of out of date site information is to open an Incognito window.

1. Launch Google Chrome on your desktop computer.
2. In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the More menu icon (represented by three vertical dots).
3. Select New Incognito window from the drop-down menu.
4. A new window will appear featuring a dark theme and the Incognito icon in the top corner.
5. Navigate to your desired SBCC resource or login page and authenticate using your updated credentials.

Note on Incognito Behavior: Bookmarks created and files downloaded during an Incognito session will remain saved on your device. However, Chrome will not keep a history of visited pages or session cookies once all Incognito windows are closed, so you will have to Sign in again after closing your Incognito windows.

Chrome Keyboard Shortcuts

Option 2: Clear Site-Specific Cookies and Data in Google Chrome

If you find that you are able to authenticate from within an Incognito window, clearing the cookies and site data from the website you’re attempting to visit may help. To clear cookies and site data for a specific website directly from Google Chrome's address bar:

1. Open Google Chrome and go to the specific web page giving you issues (e.g., the SBCC login portal).
2. In the address bar at the top of the browser, click the Page controls icon located to the immediate left of the web address.
   
3. Click Cookies and site data from the drop-down menu.
4. Click Manage cookies and site data to view the stored data for that domain.
5. In the pop-up window, click the trash can icon next to the domain name(s) listed under "From the site you're viewing."
6. Click Done, then reload the web page (press F5 or ⌘ + R on Mac) to start a fresh login session.

Tip: Clearing site data through the address bar only removes cookies for that specific website, so you won't be signed out of your other active accounts or websites in Chrome.

Option 3: Clear All Cache and Cookies in Google Chrome

Clearing your browser's cache and cookies resolves loading, formatting, and authentication conflicts by forcing your browser to request fresh web pages and new authentication tokens from Microsoft Entra.

1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
2. Click the More menu icon (three vertical dots) in the upper-right corner of the window.
3. Navigate to Clear Browsing Data (or select More tools > Clear browsing data).
4. In the pop-up dialog box, locate the Time range drop-down menu and select All time to ensure all stale authentication data is removed.
5. Check the boxes next to the following items:

• Cookies and other site data
• Cached images and files

6. Click the Clear data button.
7. Close all open browser windows completely, re-launch Chrome, and attempt to log in to the SBCC portal again.

Important Considerations After Clearing Data: Clearing cache and cookies will sign you out of most active website sessions, requiring you to re-enter login credentials across other sites. Initial page loading times may also be slightly longer as your browser re-downloads media and layout assets.

Chrome Keyboard Shortcuts

System Migration Overview

Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) has updated its central identity and access management infrastructure. The institution has transitioned its Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication system from BioKey PortalGuard to Microsoft Entra. Web traffic originally directed to the former auth.sbcc.edu login portal will now be directed to the new Microsoft Entra authentication environment.

Because web browsers frequently store user authentication sessions, tokens, and site preferences in local storage (cache and cookies), users visiting SBCC resources may experience authentication errors, infinite redirect loops, or page loading failures. These issues occur when a browser attempts to send outdated PortalGuard session cookies to the new Microsoft Entra portal. 

Frequently Asked Questions & Support

Why am I seeing a continuous redirection back to auth.sbcc.edu?

This happens when your browser attempts to reuse stored authentication tokens from PortalGuard. Performing a clear cache/cookie operation or opening an Incognito window breaks the loop and forces Microsoft Entra to issue new authentication credentials.

Will my saved passwords or bookmarks be deleted when I clear cache and cookies?

No. Bookmarks are retained. Passwords saved in Google Password Manager are not deleted unless explicitly selected under advanced settings.

Need Additional Assistance?

If you continue to experience sign-in issues after trying these steps, please contact the Santa Barbara City College IT Service Desk for assistance: Get IT Help, x2215 (on campus) or (805) 730-4215 (off campus).