Lead Agency for Authentication Services to Government
Objective
The objective of establishing the lead agency authentication policy is to:
- minimise the number of authentication credentials required to access government agencies; and
- maximise the value from existing investments in authentication infrastructure by minimising the scope for duplication and new investment.
Background
On 21 December 2009, the then Minister for Finance and Deregulation, the Hon Lindsay Tanner MP, announced the Government’s new policy on authentication services.
View the Minister's Media Release[
].
- establish authentication policies and standards applicable to the operation of lead agencies;
- monitor lead agency implementation of agreed policies and standards; and
- set the criteria by which lead agencies will account for their performance to client agencies and policy agencies.
View the Terms of Reference for this Committee [
69 KB].
In July 2010, the Government appointed three Lead Agencies for the provision of authentication services to Australian Government agencies. The Lead Agencies are:
- Department of Human Services for the provision of People to Government services;
- the Australia Taxation Office and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research as joint lead agencies for the provision of both Business to Government services and Government to Government services; and
Requirement to use lead agency policy
All agencies operating under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) are required to use authentication services provided by lead agencies. Specialist areas like defence, health and the intelligence community would continue to operate their own authentication services, given their very specific security and business requirements. They will participate in the Authentication Governance Committee to ensure a consistent whole-of-government approach.
Agencies that have a business case to establish their own authentication infrastructure and capability will need to formally seek exemption through the opt-out process.
View the details about the opt-out process [ 46 KB].
Current Issues
The Authentication Governance Committee has agreed to a review of the National e-Authentication and Gatekeeper PKI Frameworks. The review will be completed by end-2011.
Lead agencies will finalise their Service Catalogues by February 2011. These will assist agencies determine how to use lead agency services and what services can be expected from lead agencies.
Contact details for lead agencies
Department of Human ServicesMs Sue Kruse
General Manager
Health e-Business
Department of Human Services
PO Box 3959, Manuka ACT 2603
Phone: 02 6124 6788
Email:sue.kruse@humanservices.gov.au
Australia Taxation Office
Mr Mark Jackson
Deputy Commissioner
Business Reporting and Registration
Australian Taxation Office
Address: Gnabra Building
Genge Street, Civic ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6216 4991; Mobile: 0413 481 593
Email:
mark.jackson@ato.gov.au
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
Ms Trish Porter
General Manager
ICT Systems, e-Business Division
Address: Industry House Level 13
10 Binara Street, Canberra City ACT 2601
GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6213 7711
Email:
trish.porter@innovation.gov.au
Contact details for AGIMO
Mr Trevor Smallwood
Assistant Secretary
Cyber Security Branch
Australian Government Information Management Office
Address: John Gorton Building
King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6215 1679
Email:
trevor.smallwood@finance.gov.au
Contact for information on this page: authentication@finance.gov.au