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Digital Certificates
ECA certificates are required to access many online government websites and applications. Each government agency establishes guidelines pertaining to the "assurance level" that is required to access the agency system. Certificates issued under the ECA program provide the mechanism for entities to securely communicate with the DoD, authenticate to secure DoD information systems and for protection of confidential emailed communications.
Use Your IdenTrust Digital Certificate Across Key DoD Applications
IdenTrust DoD ECA certificates are designed to support secure digital interactions across defense-related environments. These certificates help organizations meet compliance requirements for CMMC and NIST 800-171 standards, while enabling trusted communication and data protection.
Document Signing
Apply a legally binding digital signature to sensitive documents using your IdenTrust DoD ECA certificate. These digital signature certificates ensure non-repudiation and integrity, making them ideal for contracts, reports, and official submissions within defense and government workflows.
Use Case: Defense contractors can digitally sign procurement documents, ensuring authenticity and compliance with DoD standards.
E-mail Security
Protect sensitive communications with email encryption powered by your IdenTrust DoD certs. These certificates enable secure messaging between defense contractors, government agencies, and DoD personnel, helping prevent unauthorized access and data leaks.
Use Case: A contractor can securely exchange classified project updates with DoD officials using encrypted email, maintaining confidentiality and trust.
Website Security
Secure your agency’s online presence with DoD-approved ECA SSL certificates from IdenTrust. These certificates authenticate your website and encrypt data in transit, ensuring compliance with federal cybersecurity mandates.
Use Case: A government agency can deploy an ECA SSL certificate to protect its public-facing portal, ensuring visitors and users interact with a verified and secure site.
What Are DoD ECA Certificates?
IdenTrust DoD certs are issued to individuals for secure system access and digital signature certificate use, and to servers for enabling DoD-approved website security. These certificates are trusted across defense and federal networks.
Certificate Specifications and Storage
Our DoD ECA certificates are rated at medium assurance and available in both software and hardware formats, including HID USB Tokens and Smart Cards. These options offer flexibility for secure credential storage and portability.
Use Cases for DoD ECA Certificates
DoD application sponsors determine the appropriate certificate type based on access needs. These certificates support secure login, digital document signing, encrypted email, and other defense-related functions.
Non-U.S. DoD ECA Certificates
IdenTrust also issues DoD ECA certificates to individuals in government-approved non-U.S. countries. These certificates enable secure collaboration and compliance with DoD certification standards for international partners.
The IdenTrust Difference
Order the Right ECA Certificate Fast & Easy
IdenTrust simplifies the process of selecting and ordering the correct DoD ECA certificate—whether you're applying for the first time or renewing an existing one. Our streamlined self-service model ensures that individuals and organizations can quickly obtain the appropriate digital signature certificate with all required components, including hardware and middleware.
We work directly with the DoD Program Office and application owners to ensure certificate compatibility, helping you meet DoD certification requirements with confidence.
Simplified Ordering Process
Through our intuitive ordering system, users can select the correct DoD certs for their specific application needs. Hardware options like smart cards and USB Tokens are included, and everything is delivered in one seamless transaction.
Organizational Purchasing Made Easy
Organizations can purchase bulk vouchers for employees, enabling centralized cost tracking, simplified reimbursements, and visibility into certificate usage. This approach supports efficient budgeting and compliance management.
Direct-to-User Hardware Fulfillment
Hardware is shipped directly to the certificate holder, eliminating the need for organizations to manage inventory or handle distribution logistics. This reduces overhead and ensures faster deployment.
Free Technical Support for Smooth Implementation
To ensure a smooth experience, IdenTrust provides expert technical support at no additional cost. Whether you're activating a new certificate or renewing an existing one, our team is here to help every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the DoD ECA program and why is it important?
The Department of Defense (DoD) External Certification Authority (ECA) program enables non-DoD entities—such as contractors and service providers—to securely access DoD systems and communicate electronically. ECA certificates ensure identity verification, secure email communications, and document signing.
2. Who needs a DoD ECA certificate?
DoD ECA certificates are required for individuals and organizations that interact with DoD systems but are not issued a Common Access Card (CAC). This includes defense contractors, suppliers, and foreign nationals working with U.S. government agencies.
3. What can I use an ECA certificate for?
ECA certificates support:
- Secure access to DoD websites and applications
- Digitally signing contracts and official documents
- Encrypting email communications with DoD personnel
- Securing websites with DoD-approved TLS/SSL certificates
4. What are the different types of ECA certificates available?
IdenTrust offers ECA certificates for:
- Individuals (for authentication, signing, and email)
- Servers (for website security)
- Non-U.S. individuals (in approved countries) Certificates vary by assurance level (e.g., software vs. hardware storage) and use case.
5. How do I choose the right ECA certificate?
Each DoD agency may require a specific certificate type and assurance level. IdenTrust provides a Certificate Selection Wizard to help users choose the correct certificate based on their agency’s requirements and intended use.
6. What is the difference between software and hardware ECA certificates?
- Software certificates are stored on your computer and are easier to deploy.
- Hardware certificates are stored on smart cards or USB tokens, offering higher security and required for some DoD applications.
7. How do I purchase and manage ECA certificates for my organization?
Organizations can buy ECA certificates in bulk using vouchers, which simplifies distribution and cost tracking. IdenTrust ships hardware directly to users and provides free technical support to ensure smooth deployment.