TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SecureKey, the leading provider of trusted identity networks, today announced it has been awarded a contract by the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) to provide the cloud-based authentication infrastructure for the new Federal Cloud Credential Exchange (FCCX). The U.S. government’s FCCX service is designed to enable individuals to securely access online services —such as health benefits, student loan information, and retirement benefit information—at multiple federal agencies without the need to use a different password or other digital identification for each service.
The FCCX is an integral component of implementing President Obama’s National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC) and the federal government’s policies and procedures under its Identity, Credential and Access Management (ICAM) program. The first of its kind in the U.S., the new service is expected to spur broader federal agency acceptance of approved third-party credentials of varying strengths and types, from simple user names and passwords to Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards. When fully deployed, the FCCX network will allow individuals to use existing, approved, third-party digital credentials to log into federal agencies’ online services with security, privacy and convenience. For more information on NSTIC and ICAM see nist.gov/nstic/ or idmanagement.gov/approved-identity-providers.
SecureKey was chosen for its innovative federated authentication platform, SecureKey briidge.net Exchange. This cloud-based authentication and credential brokerage service is at the heart of the FCCX, enabling the credential exchange to easily and cost-effectively broker user credential management capabilities instead of having to create and manage an authentication infrastructure robust enough to handle tens of millions of individuals. The flexible SecureKey briidge.net Exchange service is extensible to a broad range of federal agencies, enabling them to provide a wider selection of more compelling online services while enhancing security and privacy.
“This system marks a significant milestone in the evolution of cloud computing, leading the way in demonstrating how identities will be utilized and managed in the online world for years to come, and we are thrilled to have been selected by the USPS for this critical national initiative,” said Andre Boysen, chief marketing officer for SecureKey. “Last year, SecureKey successfully launched its innovative SecureKey Concierge credential broker service as part of the Government of Canada’s Cyber Authentication Renewal initiative. With today’s announcement, we are the category leader in this market, and will continue to build momentum as we attract other organizations from around the globe.”
Privacy Built In
SecureKey understands that privacy is critical to the success of the FCCX service, and it will follow the NSTIC Guiding Principles to ensure proper protection of users’ privacy and civil liberties. The FCCX will be designed to transmit credential information securely without knowing users’ actual identities. It will also limit the ability of third-party credential providers and the federal agencies relying on their credentials to track individuals’ transactions among agencies.
briidge.net Exchange
The SecureKey briidge.net Exchange Platform is used to build trusted identity networks by connecting identity providers—such as banks, governments, healthcare organizations, and others—with consumers’ favorite online services though a cloud-based broker service. The platform allows identity providers and online services to integrate once, reducing the integration and business complexity otherwise incurred in establishing many-to-many relationships. Users are able to use their familiar credentials, such as their banking credential, to access online services offered by other service providers. The SecureKey briidge.net Exchange Platform significantly reduces credential management costs for online service providers, while removing user sign-up barriers, preserving user privacy and providing convenience.
About US Postal Service®
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation: 152 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes™. The Postal Service™ receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With more than 31,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com®, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world's mail. If it were a private-sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 42nd in the 2012 Fortune 500. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency for seven years and the fourth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute. Follow the Postal Service on twitter.com/USPS and at facebook.com/USPS.
About SecureKey Technologies Inc.
SecureKey is the leading provider of cloud-based, trusted identity networks that eliminate the burden, cost, and risks associated with user authentication. The company's federated authentication solutions ensure that users are properly authenticated regardless of the service, device or credential they prefer to use. Organizations can quickly and easily deliver high-value online services to millions of consumers and citizens with improved transaction privacy, simplicity, and convenience. SecureKey is headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Boston, and Washington D.C. The company is backed by a world-class group of venture and corporate investors. For additional information, please visit securekey.com/uspublicsector.
