Introduction
The Federal Reserve Board provides web-based access to selected data and applications for federal, state, or foreign financial supervisory agencies by leveraging public key infrastructure (PKI) technology. Access to data and applications is protected through the use of digital certificates issued by the Federal Reserve Banks, with oversight from the Board, to ensure strong mutual authentication between the end user's browser and the application servers. Microsoft Windows 7 or higher and Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 are required to run the NED application. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are not supported.
Follow the steps below to get started using this PKI technology.
Step 1
An End User Authorization Contact (EUAC) must be established by the agency or organization before any certificates can be issued to subscribers (individual employees). The EUAC validates the identity and access requirements of each subscriber and ensures that the participant (agency or organization) and its subscribers abide by the terms of the Certification Practice Statement (PDF). Two EUACs must be established per participant via the Participant EUAC Designation and Authorization for Web-Based Business Applications form. Refer to our detailed instructions and field descriptions when completing the form.
Step 2
Next, each subscriber requesting access to web-based Federal Reserve data or systems should complete a separate Federal Reserve Board External Subscriber Certificate and Access Control Request form. Refer to our detailed instructions and field descriptions when completing this form, which authorizes the Federal Reserve to create a credential granting the designated individual access to the data and applications indicated. The Federal Reserve Board External Subscriber Certificate and Access Control Request form may be submitted simultaneously with your EUAC Designation form or at any time after your EUAC Designation form is on file with the Federal Reserve Board.
Step 3
Once the subscriber's request has been received and validated by the Federal Reserve Board's registration authority, it will be processed for certificate issuance. The EUAC will receive an e-mail with one set of codes, and the subscriber will receive an e-mail with another set of codes. These codes, combined during a process outlined in the Certificate Retrieval Procedures (PDF), create the certificate. Storage and handling of the certificate must be in accordance with the Certification Practice Statement and the Instructions for PKI Certificate Retrieval and Usage for External Subscribers.