Identity Federation and Its Importance for NASA's Future: The SharePoint Extranet Pilot

My project at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) during the spring 2013 Project Management and Systems Engineering Internship was to functionalJy test and deploy the SharePoint Extranet system and ensure successful completion of the project's various lifecycle milestones as described by NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 7 120.7. I worked alongside NASA Project Managers, Systems Integration Engineers, and Information Technology (IT) Professionals to pilot this collaboration capability between NASA and its External Partners. The use of identity federation allows NASA to leverage externally-issued credentials of other federal agencies and private aerospace and defense companies, versus the traditional process of granting and maintaining full NASA identities for these individuals. This is the first system of its kind at NASA and it will serve as a pilot for the Federal Government. Recognizing the novelty of this service, NASA's initial approach for deployment included a pilot period where nearby employees of Patrick Air Force Base would assist in testing and deployment. By utilizing a credential registration process, Air Force users mapped their Air Force-issued Common Access Cards (CAC) to a NASA identity for access to the External SharePoint. Once the Air Force stands up an Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) instance within their Data Center and establishes a direct trust with NASA, true identity federation can be established. The next partner NASA is targeting for collaboration is Lockheed Martin (LMCO), since they collaborate frequently for the ORION Program. Through the use of Exostar as an identity hub, LMCO employees will be able to access NASA data on a need to know basis, with NASA ultimately managing access. In a time when every dollar and resource is being scrutinized, this capability is an exciting new way for NASA to continue its collaboration efforts in a cost and resource effective manner

Rebecca Baturin

Rebecca Baturin is a Project Engineer for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Rebecca supports the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program working on both Construction of Facilities and Ground Support Equipment development projects. Rebecca started her career at KSC as a Pathways intern in 2012, and was converted to full-time employment in 2015. Since 2015, she has supported a variety of projects within EGS, including upgrades to the Crawler Transporter and Vehicle Assembly Building High-Bay 3 in support of NASA’s new heavy lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS). Rebecca is currently supporting the development efforts for Mobile Launcher 2. Mobile Launcher 2 will interface with the more-powerful Block 1B SLS vehicle, which will bring astronauts beyond low earth orbit. Rebecca is a graduate of the 2018 NASA Women in STEM Leadership Development Program and currently serves as the co-chair of the Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) at KSC and as an officer for Launching Leaders, KSC’s Early Career ERG. Rebecca holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys travelling and volunteering in the community as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida and with NASA’s education and outreach programs.https://commons.erau.edu/space-congress-bios-2019/1041/thumbnail.jp