Two-factor (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA, called "Two-Step Verification" in Swiss21) increases the security of your account by requiring an additional time-based code from an authenticator app in addition to email and password. This significantly improves the protection of your Swiss21 account against unauthorised access, especially when working with sensitive business data.
Path(s) to the Authenticator section
You can access the Authenticator section via the path Settings > User > "Two-Step Verification" > Authenticator. Additionally, you can also open the authenticator through other settings areas of your user profile, which also link to this page for managing two-factor authentication (e.g. other security or login settings). Both paths lead to the same authenticator page where you can set up, modify, or remove your two-step verification.
Setting up two-step verification
Log in to the Swiss21 portal, open Settings > User, and click the "Two-Step Verification" button to access the Authenticator section. Install an authenticator app on your smartphone (e.g. Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or FreeOTP) and scan the displayed QR code in the authenticator section to link your Swiss21 account with the app. Then enter the verification code generated by the app as a one-time password, give your smartphone a name, and click Save to activate the two-step verification. From the next login onwards, you will need to enter the current code from your authenticator app in addition to your email/password.
Benefits and special features
With two-step verification enabled, your account is protected even if someone knows your password, since access is not possible without the current code from your authenticator app. If you sign in with Apple or Microsoft instead of a traditional password, you can alternatively use the two-factor authentication enabled there; the protection is then provided directly through the respective provider. This gives you the flexibility to decide whether to use Swiss21's built-in authenticator or the 2FA of a federated identity provider.
Notes, deactivation, and loss of smartphone
Only one device can be registered as a second factor per user account in the Authenticator section.
If you no longer need the two-step verification, go back to Settings > User > "Two-Step Verification" and remove the registered second factor in the Authenticator section using the bin icon. Please note that your account will then only be protected by email and password. If you lose your smartphone or no longer have access to your authenticator app, please contact Swiss21 Support immediately via the helpdesk so your identity can be verified and access to your account restored. After a reset, you can set up two-step verification again on a new device in the authenticator section to restore your usual level of protection.