Access Procedures for Computer Resources - eAuthentication Accounts

eAuthentication (eAuth) accounts are required for all NRCS employees and affiliates who have access to the USDA network (USDA computer or Virtual Private Network [VPN] account). The eAuth account is used to access NRCS applications such as Toolkit, Program Contracts System (ProTracts), WebTCAS, my.NRCS employee Web site (NRCS only), and AgLearn (USDA online training site).

NRCS has designated employees to be Local Registration Authorities (LRAs) to validate the identity of a customer in eAuth to give their account Level 2 credentials. District conservationists at the USDA Service Centers and Debbie Newton at the NRCS state office are LRAs. NRCS partners that are required to have an eAuth account will require Level 2 access. NRCS LRAs may also assist USDA customer/producers applying for an eAuth account for access to the USDA Customer Statement or other Web-based applications, and NRCS Technical Service Providers needing an eAuth account to register in TechReg.

NRCS Employees

The USDA eAuth service uses an online registration system. Employee information and work e-mail address are entered into EmpowHR by Human Resources (HR) Staff. This process will generate an EmpowHR ID which the HR Staff will e-mail to the new employee to be used as their eAuth ID. An automated eAuth Registration Invitation will also be sent to the new employee via e-mail containing a unique link to the online registration system.

A document titled "USDA-NRCS New Employee eAuthentication Account Registration Aid" is available on my.NRCS to assist new employees with registering for an eAuth account. The document is located on the Field Tools tab. The left margin contains a section titled USDA eAuthentication Resources. The first item is a folder containing eAuth support documents.

Affiliates

NRCS affiliates who have access to the USDA network (USDA computer or VPN account) will apply for an eAuth account and request an LRA to activate their Level 2 credentials. This eAuth account can then be registered for access to AgLearn and permissions to access NRCS applications.

The following document requires Adobe Acrobat.

Job Aid for New NRCS Affiliates (758 KB)

LRA Resources

The following job aid provides information for LRAs to grant Level 2 credentials to eAuth accounts and additional requirements for different customer types.

Job Aid for LRAs (1 MB)

Password Requirements

Following are the guidelines for passwords on eAuth accounts:

• Passwords will expire in 180 days
• Passwords must be 9 to 12 characters long
• Passwords must contain at least 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase letter
• Passwords must contain a number and/or one of these special characters:
  !#-$%*=+:;,?~
• Do not use dictionary words, spaces, tabs, or any other special characters not listed above
• Passwords CANNOT contain your name, street address, city, User ID, date of birth, mother's maiden name, PIN or security questions/answers

USDA eAuth accounts are disabled after six months of inactivity. Refer to the following section on assistance for eAuth if you have not used your account in six months or cannot remember your password.

eAuth Assistance

NRCS employees with questions on activating an eAuth account should contact the Human Resources Staff in the NRCS state office. Affiliates or LRAs with questions on the eAuth account for affiliates or granting Level 2 access should contact Debbie Newton (785-823-4503) in the NRCS state office.

To reset an eAuth password, first try the self-service "Reset My Forgotten Password" available from the eAuth Web site (select "Update your account" from the Quick Links provided on the left margin and then "Reset My Forgotten Password" from the "I Want To" links on the right). You will be prompted to answer three of the six security questions you established when the eAuth account was created. If you are unable to reset your password, contact your local Information Technology Services (ITS) computer specialist or the eAuth Help Desk at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov or 800-457-3642. ITS and the help desk will use your date of birth, mother's maiden name, and your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to verify your identification on your eAuth account.

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Last Modified: 01/23/2009