This article describes how login.gov is used in the Point Blue Science Cloud for projects in the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN), including instructions for signing up.
Who needs a login.gov account?
If you meet all of the following criteria, you need to sign up for a login.gov account to continue accessing your data.
The user has access to at least one project within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) program
The user is not using an email address ending in “fws.org” to access the data
The user is not using an email address ending in “pointblue.org” to access the data
Can I opt out of using login.gov?
No, you can not opt out of using login.gov, as it is a new security requirement from the Department of Interior (DOI), who advises USFWS security policy.
You can, however, be removed from all USFWS projects, which would also remove your account from the requirement. Please talk directly to your project leader for the projects you would like to be removed from.
How to create a new account
First, enter your email to begin signing in:
If your account has access to an FWS project, you’ll see a button to “Sign in with login.gov”:
Clicking the button will redirect your browser to secure.login.gov:
https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email
Choose the “create an account” tab to begin.
Enter your email address and read and confirm the rules of use. Please make sure to use the same email address as your AKN account. If the email address used for login.gov doesn’t match, you will not be able to sign in.
https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/verify_email
You will receive a message from login.gov prompting you to confirm your email address:
Follow the link to confirm. After confirming, create a strong password that is at least 12 characters long
https://secure.login.gov/authentication_methods_setup
Choose an authentication method for two-factor authentication:
Follow the instructions to validate your account’s two-factor authentication method. Note: This will differ based on the authentication method you choose. The screenshot below shows the option for “Text or voice message”
https://secure.login.gov/auth_method_confirmation
https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/completed
