Two Factor Authentication

TU Braunschweig is introducing two-factor authentication for all members and affiliates to effectively protect central accounts and services against unauthorized account takeovers and provides further information on this page.

What exactly is two-factor authentication?

Two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA, is a security procedure that secures logins by combining two different, independent factors. These factors must come from different categories, such as knowledge (password/PIN), biometrics (fingerprint), or possession (DUO token).

When are the next information events taking place?

For individual information sessions, please contact us (2fa@tu-braunschweig.de).

Online: (11:00 AM to 12:00 PM each day)

  • March 26, 2026
  • April 7, 2026
  • April 23, 2026
  • May 5, 2026

In-person:

  • March 5, 2026: BI 85.1 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (North Campus),
  • March 31, 2026: HB 35.1 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (at the airport),
  • April 16, 2026: PK 4.122 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Old Building)

Why is 2FA being introduced at TU Braunschweig?

The primary purpose of two-factor authentication is to enhance the security of the IT infrastructure. The protection of TU Braunschweig's IT systems will be improved, thereby increasing the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. The goal is to make it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access user accounts.

The university's executive board has decided to implement a two-factor authentication solution. The implementation was prompted, among other things, by the observed misuse of the central email system for sending phishing and spam messages through unauthorized access to email accounts, as well as the use of stolen accounts for online fraud. This will prevent the leakage of information from file systems and databases.

How does 2FA work at the TU Braunschweig?

First, the user is activated via My Data (BDD) during the voluntary/pilot phase for the second factor. After a maximum of 45 minutes, the person can either log in to OWA or click the link in the activation email and complete the setup process, e.g., for their mobile device. Further explanations/descriptions can be found in the book (Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with DUO). Once the user has completed this process, the second factor can be used, or rather, the second factor is ready for use.

The following systems are currently secured by two-factor authentication:

  • Outlook Web Access (OWA)
  • Virtual Private Network (VPN)
  • Applications that authenticate via Web Single Sign-On (SSO)
    • e.g., Stud.IP, TuConnect, Cloud, etc.

What second factor can the user use at TU Braunschweig?

  • Mobile app (Duo Mobile)
  • Desktop application (excluding Linux)
  • DUO token or other self-procured tokens (e.g., YubiKey)
  • Passkeys

Where can I find the setup instructions?

Instructions can be found in the central Books library: https://books.rz.tu-bs.de/books/zwei-faktor-authentifizierung-2fa-mit-duo

The English version can be found here: https://books.rz.tu-bs.de/books/two-factor-authentication-2fa-with-duo-english-version