In times of digital personnel administration, security and data protection are becoming increasingly important – especially when dealing with sensitive documents such as pay slips, social security certificates or income tax certificates. The DATEV Employees Online platform offers employers and employees a central, paperless solution for accessing such documents.
DATEV relies on modern two-factor authentication (2FA) to optimally secure access. This article explains step by step how you can protect your DATEV access, which apps or devices are suitable and why two-factor authentication is an elementary component of modern IT security.
What is DATEV Employee Online?
DATEV Arbeitnehmer Online is a service from DATEV eG that allows employees to view and download their monthly payslips, income tax statements and social security statements digitally. The platform is optimized for all common end devices – PC, tablet or smartphone – and thus offers access to personal wage and salary data regardless of location and time.
With the portal, companies can not only digitize and simplify their internal processes, but also meet modern data protection standards through encrypted transmission and access control. Especially with regard to the GDPR, secure access to personal data is mandatory.
Why two-factor authentication?
A password alone is no longer enough to adequately protect personal data. Hackers and cyber criminals use phishing emails, malware and password databases to gain access to online accounts. Two-factor authentication (2FA) offers an additional protection mechanism:
- Factor 1: Something you know (e.g. your password)
- Factor 2: Something you own (e.g. a TOTP authenticator)
You can only gain access to your DATEV account if both factors are present. Even if your password falls into the wrong hands, access is not possible without the authenticator code.
Step-by-step setup – how it works
Activating two-factor authentication is easy with DATEV:
1. registration with DATEV Employees Online
If you have been activated for the DATEV portal by your employer, you will receive an e-mail with an invitation link. Follow this link and register with your e-mail address.
2. first login
Register once with your personal invitation code.
3. use employees online
- Select the “Add account” option on your TOTP authenticator.
- Scan the QR code provided by DATEV or enter the TOTP key manually.
- Your TOTP authenticator now displays a 6-digit code that is updated every 30 seconds.
4. enter code and confirm connection
Enter the code in the input field at DATEV. If the code is correct, you will be successfully connected to your DATEV account.
5. login with 2FA
From now on, you will have to enter the current code from the app in addition to your password every time you log in. This ensures that only you have access to your documents.
Safety benefits at a glance
Two-factor authentication reliably protects you against unauthorized access:
| Advantage | Description |
| Data security | Your payslips and tax data are better protected against attacks. |
| Protection against password theft | Even if your password is stolen, it is impossible to log in without a TOTP authenticator. |
| Simplicity | It only takes a few minutes to set up. |
Compatible with: REINER SCT Authenticator, REINER SCT Authenticator mini, tanJack deluxe and Authenticator Apps
In addition to classic smartphone apps, DATEV Arbeitnehmer Online also supports hardware authenticators such as the products from REINER SCT. Particularly security-conscious users or companies with increased compliance requirements rely on physical devices such as the REINER SCT Authenticator, the compact Authenticator mini or the versatile tanJack deluxe. These devices generate one-time passwords (TOTP) independently of the smartphone, are tamper-proof and ideal for sensitive areas of application. They are integrated into DATEV in the same way as app-based solutions – by scanning a QR code or entering a code manually. REINER SCT’s authenticator solutions are a professional and GDPR-compliant alternative to the app for anyone who relies on maximum security and device independence.
Conclusion: security that pays off
Two-factor authentication with a TOTP authenticator is a decisive step towards secure, digital personnel administration. DATEV Arbeitnehmer Online offers a simple, efficient solution for viewing payslips and other important documents anytime, anywhere – without compromising security.
With just a few minutes of effort, you can protect your personal data permanently and reliably – real added value for your digital security.
