Skip to main content

How to manage 2FA in Next Plus

Written by Alex Merkin
Updated today

What this is

2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) adds an extra verification step during login to prevent unauthorized access and reduce account sharing.

For administrators, this is a control point between security and operational flexibility.


When you should use 2FA

Enable 2FA when you need:

  • Reliable Audit Trail (who did what)

  • Prevention of shared operator accounts

  • Compliance with regulated environments (ISO, FDA, etc.)

  • Protection against credential-based attacks

👉 Without 2FA, a password = full access
👉 With 2FA, access is tied to a real person


How to enable or disable 2FA (system level)

  1. Go to Settings → System

  2. Find Email Two-Factor Authentication

  3. Toggle Enable Email 2FA

  4. Set Hours Between Challenges

    • Default: 168 hours (7 days)

  5. Click Save

💡 This controls the behavior for all users


When to bypass 2FA (important)

There are real scenarios where 2FA does not fit:

  • Shared workstations / shop-floor terminals

  • Users without real email access

  • System / integration users

For these cases:

  1. Go to Settings → Users

  2. Open the user

  3. Enable Bypass Email 2FA

  4. Save

⚠️ Important:
Bypassing reduces traceability and security. Use only when necessary.


Smart system behavior

Next Plus is designed not to block production:

  • SAML users → handled externally (2FA skipped)

  • API users → always skipped

  • SMTP not configured → login is NOT blocked

  • Bypass enabled users → skip verification

👉 Security is enforced — but operations always continue


How to think about 2FA (recommended approach)

Don’t treat 2FA as a “security feature”.

Think of it as:

👉 A way to protect the integrity of your production data

Because in Next Plus:

  • Data = decisions

  • Decisions = production outcomes

If identity is weak → everything downstream is weaker


Common Issues / FAQs

Users complain about friction

  • Reduce challenge frequency (increase hours)

  • Keep default (7 days) for balance

Users don’t receive emails

  • Check SMTP configuration

  • Verify user email addresses

Too many shared users

  • Don’t bypass — fix the user structure instead

Did this answer your question?