Upcoming Changes in NED

Reprinted from 'NED News, February/March 2012'

There are several new changes coming to NED in the next release scheduled for April 16, 2012. The biggest change modifies the existing badge process. NED will only allow one active badge service request at a time. This new feature ensures that NED is compliant with FIPS-201 rules.

Foreign nationals working at the NIH

Another major change to the badge issuance process will impact applicants designated as a foreign national working at the NIH. The Division of International Services (DIS) will verify that all individuals placed at the NIH who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents have been lawfully admitted to the United States, and are undertaking activities at NIH that are appropriate for their immigration status.

DIS must clear a foreign national before he or she is eligible for an NIH Identification Badge initial request or badge reissuance due to legal name change. NED will notify foreign national applicants with instructions to visit the DIS office before enrollment or [when they are] having an ID badge issued due to a legal name change. 'Track Badge Status' and 'View Badge History' will display tracking points indicating that badge issuance is awaiting DIS approval.*

* [For more information about the process and required documents, please see the DIS web site "NIH ID Badge for Nonimmigrants (Foreign Nationals)" at:http://dis.ors.od.nih.gov/resources/01_contractor.html]. 

Other changes to NED application

Additional changes to the NED application [include the] removal of references to single factor VPN, and the addition of the Position Title for FTE Commissioned Corps personnel as a required field.

Effective March 1, 2012, all NIH and NIH external customers who connect to the NIH Network via NIH VPN Remote Access must use two-factor authentication (PIV Card or RSA Token). ICs have undertaken efforts to move all users to the two-factor authentication groups.  AOs and ATs no longer have the ability to place users in the single-factor (username/password) authentication groups. 

If customers are having problems with connecting to the NIH Network via remote access VPN, they should contact the NIH IT Service Desk at 301-496-HELP, 866-319-HELP, or submit a case through the Online Service Request at http://itservicedesk.nih.gov/support.

New background check policy for Commissioned Corps officers

The Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO) has changed the policy regarding background investigations for Commissioned Corps officers. Agencies are now responsible for conducting and paying for any elevated background investigations. This will require DPSAC to receive requests for Position Sensitivity Level (PSL) based on exceptions factors and elevated PSL while also capturing the CAN number in case an investigation is needed.  

The FTE (Commissioned Corps) classification should operate in NED the same as FTE (GS, SES, Title 42, etc.) including collecting position title, exception factors, elevated PSL option, and CAN number. However, the minimum calculated PSL should remain at a Level 2 (ANACI).

Helpful Tips  

Remembering your PIN -- try using your 6-8 digit PIN as your code for retrieving voicemails.  You'll be more likely to remember your PIN if you use it regularly.

Also, if your card reader and software are currently installed on your desktop, consider using your smart card and PIN to login to the NIH network now. You'll be computing in a more secure IT environment.

Do not lend your HHS ID badge (smart card) to anyone -- lending out your HHS ID Badge (smart card) is prohibited. The issuance of the new HHS ID Badge is based on strict identity proofing and the determination of one's suitability for a specific position classification.

A. Thank you for your inquiry. I noticed that your IC is not listed on the Lifecycle Work Station (LWS) Administrators table posted at: http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/badge/Pages/lifecycle.aspx. ICs who have staff listed on this table have purchased one or more LWSs and have trained staff to operate these units (i.e., to reset PINs and/or renew digital certificates on the smart cards).

If your IC wishes to purchase one or more of these units, it should direct inquiries to: [email protected]. They can also be reached by phone at: 571-249-2273.

Note: The purchase agreement for these units has expired and a new one is currently being negotiated. In the meantime, DPSAC is arranging to make available a limited number of its LWS inventory to ICs in need of a temporary loaner. Stay tuned.

The Lifecycle Work Station Training Manual is posted at: http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/training/Pages/lifecycle.aspx.

ICs that want to add LWS operators to the approved roster should send a written request to Richie Taffet at [email protected]. Once he has approved the request, he will forward the name(s) to [email protected] to complete the approval process, add the names to the LWS operators roster and inform the IC that the individual can now operate the Lifecycle Work Station.

To view certificate expirations by IC, go to: http://smartcard.nih.gov/PKI_subscribers.htm. The first bullet on that page shows an NIH Smart Card Badgeholders Excel sheet (see the 2nd tab at the bottom of the spread sheet) that includes 'Cert Expiration Date.'

Q. What is dual- or two-factor authentication?

A. With dual- or two-factor authentication, two independent items of

authentication are used to prove that the individual logging into the NIH network is an authorized user of the system.

The two items used are: (1) something the user has [e.g., the smart card (HHS ID Badge) or SecureID token]; and (2) something the user knows [e.g., the PIN associated with the smart card (HHS ID Badge)].

New "311" Non-Emergency Number Available on NIH Bethesda Campus

The following e-mail recently went out via the ORS Information Line to all NIH staff.

For any non-emergency situation on the NIH Bethesda campus where you need assistance from the NIH Police, Fire Department or other safety and security staff, the NIH is now offering a new, easy-to-remember "311" service.

Just dial "311" on any NIH phone and you will be connected to our Emergency Communications Center (ECC) via the 'non-emergency' line. For those individuals on the main campus not using an NIH phone, dial 301-496-5685.

As a reminder, for all emergency situations -- whether medical, fire, rescue, safety or security -- on the NIH main campus, continue to dial "911". For those employees working in leased facilities, dial "9" to reach an outside line, then "911" to be connected to Montgomery County or your local emergency services.

For more information about the ECC and the role they play for NIH, visit: http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dp/Pages/911-Call-Center.aspx.

For questions regarding this message, please contact the ORS Information Line at [email protected] or 301-594-6677. TTY is available at 301-435-1908. Please tune your radios to 1660 AM for NIH traffic, parking and perimeter security advisories.