Welcome to the Electronic Authentication Partnership

Download the New EAP Brochure

The Electronic Authentication Partnership (EAP) is the multi-industry partnership working on the vital task of enabling interoperability for electronic authentication among public and private sector organizations.

Interoperability of e-authentication systems is essential to the cost-effective operation of safe and secure systems that perform essential electronic transactions and tasks across industry lines.

The goal of EAP is to provide organizations with a trusted means of relying on digital credentials issued by a variety of e-authentication systems. The EAP will not duplicate the e-authentication work of other organizations nor does it seek to replace individual industry wide authentication protocols.

What Makes the EAP Unique?

The EAP takes a public/private multi-sector approach to trust assurance. Most efforts to create reciprocal e-authentication have been made within an industry (such as banking or health care), but not across industry lines, nor among all interested industries, nor with a broad range of government partners. The EAP combines relying parties, technology companies, and service providers to bring together all interested parties – private sector, public sector, and government.

What are the Benefits of Participating in the EAP?

The EAP is now entering a critical phase—moving from theory to reality. The EAP has developed a trust framework, which includes policies and rules, to promote interoperability and is now ready to put their framework to the test. Members will play a pivotal role in identifying projects suitable to test the framework and determining which policies and practices promote the interoperability of electronic identity credentials issued by different federations.

Members have the opportunity to:

• Help shape identity assurance policy for both the public and private sectors.
• Expand markets by promoting wider use of identity credentials.
• Stay abreast of government policy that will have an impact on identity assurance.
• Learn about the latest technology, standards, and solutions in the e-authentication and identity assurance industry.
• Get to know public and private sector leaders in e-authentication.
• Identify opportunities to save time and resources in implementing identity assurance programs.
• Vote on key aspects of the EAP’s Trust Framework as it is modified in response to pilot tests and other developments.
• Position their organization to participate in pilot programs that will influence the evolution if identity assurance.
• Participate in all EAP membership activities, such as meetings, conference calls, issue resolution, and rules updates.
• Have access to the “Members Only” section of the EAP website, documents, and materials.
• Avoid “re-inventing the wheel” by identifying best practices in the industry.

Where Can I Learn More About Membership?

To learn more about membership or to review our bylaws, dues structure, or trust framework, visit our Membership page.

Where Can I Have My Questions Answered?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page at FAQ or send an email to eapartnership@nacha.org