NIH Enterprise Directory (NED) Services
To order or inquire about this service, please contact the NIH IT Service Desk.
Service Hours: Monday-Friday, 8AM to 5PM
NIH Enterprise Directory Services (NED) provide a meta-directory that joins identity data from a number of disparate sources and binds these identities to an HHS ID, the public key that permits global linking of NIH identities. NED is the authoritative source for identity information at NIH and a key component of identity management processes throughout the enterprise.
NED provides the administrative and self-service interfaces to the directory that permit staff to initiate, monitor, and manage NED records and the workflows associated with the authorization and auditing of access to NIH services and resources. NED also provides a browser-based interface to the public at large to access work locator information of NIH staff.
Customer Benefits
NED data is used by applications across the enterprise through its web services, Oracle, DB2, and public search interfaces.
Customer Market
This service is available to all NIH customers and to other customers outside of NIH.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can NED help my Business Process?
A: NED has impacted a number of NIH business processes by eliminating formerly paper-based processes for the authorization of ID badges, Library privileges, and requests for listings and updates in the NIH Telephone and Services Directory. These services are now requested by NIH administrative staff using browser-based interfaces for directory registration and update services. Active Directory (AD) accounts, Exchange mailboxes and VPN remote access can also be provisioned (requested) via the browser-based interfaces by administrative staff working in ICs. Numerous enterprise and IC-specific applications across the NIH rely on NED as an authoritative data source and for determining whether a person is entitled to various NIH services and access to resources. For example, the NIH Parking and Transhare System (PARTS) uses NED data to assess a person's eligibility for an NIH parking hanger and participation in the NIH transportation incentive program (TRANSHARE).
Q: How is NED Data Maintained?
A: NED data is maintained by administrative personnel in each of the ICs using a web-based application to register new workers in NED, update existing records, and deactivate records when people leave NIH. NED also offers web-based self-service update capability whereby record owners can view all, and update some of their own NED information. NED also obtains data from external "authoritative sources" such as payroll systems and other enterprise directories.
A: What are the Privacy and Security Issues in NED?
Q: Most data contained in NED is public information (e.g., contact and organization information). Some private information is collected and used for facilitating the Federal PIV badging process and background checking as well as identity binding when registering new people in NED and to reduce the likelihood of duplicate records being created. The collection of private information is covered by the NED Privacy Act clearance under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 301 and 302, 44 U.S.C. 3101 and 3102 and Executive Order 9397.
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