By Vicky Falcón
NAVAIR Public Affairs

April 14 is the cut-off date for SIGMA users who access their time card from outside the NMCI network. Users of applications such as ESS (to perform timecard functions) and E-Power (for workflow and documentation management) who do not have a valid, properly loaded Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate on their computer will not be able to access the sites.

This could cause problems on Wednesday, April 16 – when timecards are due.

“We suggest that users (of ESS) try to access their time card on Monday to test whether they have a valid PKI,” said Darryl Allen, deputy Chief Information Officer and division head for Information Assurance at NAVAIR. “That gives us two days to help validate and properly load PKIs for those who haven’t yet gone through the process.”

“If you access SIGMA or E-power from an NMCI computer on an NMCI network, you shouldn’t see any changes,” said Allen. However, individuals who access those sites from any computer not on an NMCI network will be required to have a PKI identity certificate installed in their Internet Explorer to have access to the applications.

A PKI certificate is an electronic “document” that uses a private/public key pair to electronically identify an individual. An identity certificate is used to digitally sign documents or electronic forms and to authenticate the user to applications. The user has to provide credentials for the certification and sign a “Subscriber Certificate Acceptance and Acknowledgement of Responsibilities” form before being issued instructions for downloading/installing their PKI identity certificate.

A test program has been installed on the effected Sigma Web sites to check the validation of PKI certificates already issued. Using the laptop, legacy or NMCI computer on which you have registered or installed your PKI certificate, go to one of the following SIGMA sites: https://ess.navair1.navy.mil, https://erpwdm.navair1.navy.mil/epower/, or https:\\erpgui.navair1.navy.mil. Click on the red test link located at the top of the site’s home page. If your PKI is valid, you will be able to access the site.

Fail messages will occur if your PKI certificate is not installed properly or not installed on the appropriate browser. Instructions and guidance for correcting problems are available on all fail messages. And the help desks are ready to assist.

PKI certificates may be requested from the NAVAIR and NMCI help desks. NMCI portable (laptop) users should call the NMCI National Help Desk at 1-866-843-6624 for assistance.

Military and DOD civilian non-NMCI users, and contractors or others not working from NMCI computers (but who do work inside the DOD network) should contact the NAVAIR National Help Desk at 1-888-292-5919 or 301-342-3104.