New! Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS) is E-Authentication enabled! Follow this link for more information.

Still New! Remote Order Entry System (ROES) is E-Authentication enabled! Follow this link for more information.

Still New! My HealtheVet is E-Authentication enabled!   Follow this link for more information.

What is E-Authentication?

Simply put, E-Authentication allows citizens and businesses to select and use government and non-government-issued electronic credentials to conduct transactions with various government agencies and departments. It is a service that makes it easier for citizens to get access to online government services. The enabling of E-Authentication services across government agencies is just starting.  Once the system is fully implemented, you will be able to access any E-Authentication-enabled Federal website application with a single ID and password set. You will not be required to remember different log-in information for each government website.  Right now, a single logon credential (a combination of a username and a password) issued by a participating Credential Service Provider will be able to get you onto many government web applications.

The first step is to get a Credential Service Provider (CSP) to issue you a single logon ID and a password. This one set of credentials will allow you to access online government services and conduct business with many agencies within the government.  Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs is only accepting the credentials from Operational Research Consultants.  In the future, VA will be accepting other CSP's credentials as well.

E-Authentication (E-Gov initiative) is a federal-wide initiative that creates a single, uniform, and government-wide approach to identity proofing in online transactions. It sets the standards for identity verification of individuals and businesses. E-Authentication will focus on meeting the business needs of E-Gov initiatives by building the necessary infrastructure, processes, and systems for government-wide use. E-Authentication's mission is to enable trust, an inherent part of every online exchange between citizens and the government.

What's in it for Our Veterans?

The Department of Veterans Affairs exists to serve our veterans. Veterans will realize substantial benefits by using E-Authentication for their online transactions:

Secure and Easy Identity Validations - E-Authentication provides a single identification credential and sign-on process that you can use for a number of other Federal information systems across participating agencies. Once it is established, veterans will be spared the burden of having to keep track of multiple sets of ID credentials and will have a better user experience.

Reduces the Wait for Service and Increases Public Trust - E-Authentication provides improved customer service by enabling a more streamlined record-keeping system that allows responsive and timely service for our veterans while increasing the public's confidence in online business transactions with the Federal Government by preventing potential fraud.

Saves Taxpayer Dollars - E-Authentication promotes efficiency and cost effectiveness by establishing a unified authentication system that can be interoperated among various agencies that serve our veterans and citizens. By adopting a single system, we save taxpayer dollars.

Where is VA E-Authentication today?

VA E-Authentication is in its beginning stages today. Currently, three VA online applications are E-Authentication-enabled and one CSP is available that veterans can use to apply for logon credentials. However, within a few years, more than twenty VA online applications will use the system and many CSPs will be available including commercial entities, perhaps even your own bank or investment service!