Two-Factor Authentication for Nexus

Who needs two-factor?

• Only users with the 'Can Add, Delete and Manage Users' permission enabled require 2-factor on their account
• Other users can use two-factor authentication for additional security but are not required to.

Two-factor authentication app - where to download?

If you have the 'Can Add, Delete and Manage Users' permission enabled in Nexus, you will need to download a two-factor authentication app onto a phone/tablet (Android or IOS devices) or to your desktop device. 

There are many free apps available over multiple platforms and you can use most of them. Google and Microsoft both have authenticator apps that will work on Android and IOS devices. 

We recommend the new two-factor solution is used via a downloaded app on a phone/tablet where possible. This is so that the two-factor authentication is on a separate device from where you log into NCER Nexus. It is however also possible to download a desktop app on the same device.

You may already have a two-factor app installed for use on other platforms, if so, then you can use this for logging into NCER Nexus.

Using a phone or tablet app to log into NCER Nexus - Initial set up

1. Go to https://www.ncer.org/Login.aspx and log in as normal with your username and password.
2. You'll be presented with a new screen that has a QR code you can scan. 
3. Open up the app store on your phone, search for and install the app you want to use, such as Microsoft Authenticator.
4. If you do choose Microsoft Authenticator, you'll be presented with a number of screens asking you to sign in, you don't need to sign in, skip past all of the initial screens.
5. You'll then have an opportunity to add your first account, choose other account if you're using Microsoft Authenticator but in other apps, you might not need to choose a type of account.
6. You can then scan the QR code that you will see on your computer screen when you log into Nexus.
7. Your Nexus account will automatically be linked to your app, select the account in your app and you'll see your verification code.
8. Once you have entered your verification code into the box on the Nexus page you'll need to log into Nexus again.
9. The second time you will just be asked for your two-factor code, check the number in your app again and enter this to complete the setup and login process. 

Using a desktop app to log into NCER Nexus - Initial set up

1. Go to https://www.ncer.org/Login.aspx and log in as normal with your username and password.
2. You'll then be presented with a new screen that gives you a code to enter into your two-factor app.
3. If you have set up your desktop app as shown in the video below and you are using the Authy app, you should click to add a new account.
4. Copy and paste the code shown on the Nexus page into the box on your app and click add account.
5. Give the new account a name such as NCER Nexus and specifically for Authy you can also give it a colour.
6. Do not change the token length, this should always be 6 digits.
7. You will be given a verification code to enter into the box on the Nexus page.
8. Log in again and enter the code from your app to complete the setup and login process.

Subsequent log-in after set up

After your phone or desktop app is set up for the first time it will constantly generate codes for accessing Nexus:

1. Open Nexus and enter your username and password
2. Tick to accept the terms and conditions of use
3. Open your authenticator app
4. Add the code that has been generated when asked to do so
5. If the code was close to expiry you may need to repeat this step

Troubleshooting any issues

You may have difficulty setting up a phone/tablet authenticator app again if you change phone/tablet. If that happens or you have any other issues, please either email [e-mail] or call 0844 332 0734

Some users - based on previous 2FA technology - have opted to create a second user account which gives them nearly all the same permissions but does not require 2 Factor Authentication. This allows them to access Nexus in the event of any issues with 2FA.

Go back to 'Logging into Nexus'