If you are unexpectedly logged out of Workiva multiple times during an active session, the issue may be related to a security feature called geofencing.
Geofencing helps protect your account by monitoring large location changes during a single Workiva session. If your IP address changes significantly while you are logged in, Workiva may automatically sign you out and require you to authenticate again.
About geofencing
A geofence is a virtual geographic boundary used to help identify suspicious sign-in activity.
When you sign in to Workiva, your approximate location is determined using your IP address. During your session, if your IP address changes and appears to move an unusually large distance, Workiva automatically signs you out as a security precaution.
This behavior is designed to help prevent unauthorized access from attackers impersonating a valid user session.
Note: If geofencing triggers unexpectedly, your work and data are not lost. You only need to sign in again to continue working.
Common causes
Geofencing sign-outs can occur when:
- Your network connection changes between locations or providers
- You connect through a VPN or proxy service
- Your organization uses dynamic IP routing
- Your internet service provider rapidly changes IP addresses
- You switch between wireless and wired networks during a session
Review activity logs as a Super Admin
Super Admins can review organization activity logs to confirm whether geofencing caused the sign-outs.
- Go to Super Admin.
- Search for and open the user's organization.
- Open the Activities section.
- Filter activities by:
- Date Range
-
Action:
- Location moved too far
- Location changed
If geofencing caused the logout behavior, activity logs display entries showing the location change event.
Select Details to review additional information, including:
- The distance moved
- The original IP address
- The new IP address that triggered the logout
Review activity logs as an Org Admin
Organization Admins can also review activity logs for geofencing events within their organization.
- In the top-right corner, click the user icon.
- From the Admin dropdown, select Organization Admin.
- In the left menu, click Activities.
- Filter activities using:
- Date Range
- Member
- Action: Location moved too far (geofencing)
Resolve geofencing issues
If geofencing is confirmed as the cause of repeated sign-outs, try the following steps:
- Ask your IT department to review the network configuration, VPN usage, and IP routing behavior.
- Confirm whether the network environment is rapidly changing public IP addresses.
- If immediate access is required, an Org Admin or Security Admin can temporarily disable the Enable geofencing setting.
Warning: Disabling geofencing reduces account protection against suspicious session activity. Re-enable this setting after resolving the network issue whenever possible.
For additional information, see:
Configure sign-in and session options
Things to know
- Geofencing protects active sessions by monitoring significant location changes tied to IP addresses.
- Users are required to authenticate again after a geofencing event.
- Work already saved in Workiva is not affected by a geofencing-triggered logout.
- Frequent geofencing events are commonly related to VPNs, proxy services, or network routing changes.