Glossary

The glossary is where we define terms that are important to MyUSA in context of MyUSA

See also the idmanagement.gov glossary.

E-Authentication Guidance: Otherwise known as OMB memo M04-04. This document guides agencies on authentication policies for online government services. For the services to be secure and protect privacy, some type of identity verification or authentication is needed. This document most comprehensively describes the Levels of Assurance (LOA). See LOA.

FICAM: Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management. These are the federally approved standards for identity management, authentication, and issuing credentials. See E-Authentication.

ICAM: Identity, Credential, and Access Management. Despite the intention to use this as an industry term, the only people who use "ICAM" are the federal government. An ICAM system is the IT that implements the ICAM standards, defined by FICAM in the context of the federal government's use. Generally this refers to the login system, or whatever system is used to authenticate users.

NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology. NIST is the federal technology agency that works with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards. NIST generally reviews policies or guidance from OMB and Congress, then conducts research, funds prototypes, and ultimately develops standards used by both government and industry. In some respects, they're like a U.S. government version of ISO. NIST is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Undefined terms

• OpenID/OpenID Connect (I can take this one - Yoz)
• FCCX
• Connect.gov
• IdP
• RP
• Credential
• LOA
• LOA1-4
• The differences between the LOAs, what they need and how they impact us
• personal data store
• attribute (in context of identity provision, specifically)
• profile (in context of identity provision, specifically)