A User must have a valid InfraLink account and must authenticate with the system to access InfraLink tools and data.

Depending on the operational requirements and security policy for the particular Instance, one or multiple authentication modes may be available to Users. InfraLink supports multiple methods for authenticating its Users:

• Username and password
• Username and password with enterprise integration
• OpenID Connect
• PKI certificate-based

Based on the security policy established by the Instance owner, the administrator configures one or multiple authentication providers. Each has a user-friendly name that identifies the authentication mode and additional mode-specific parameters. 

This article will cover the following topics and features related to accessing InfraLink.

Requesting a User Account

To access an InfraLink Instance, you must have a User Account specific to that instance. If you do not have a User Account, follow the guidance below to request one.

1. Open a web browser and navigate to the InfraLink instance (i.e., URL) supporting your project, business unit or company.
   1. Note: If you are unsure of the instance URL, request guidance from your supervisor or Instance Administrator.
2. The instance sign-in page displays an option for each authentication method supported by that instance.
3. Select the authentication method that will apply to your new InfraLink user account.
   1. The appropriate option often specifies your company/agency name and the identity verification method.
   2. See the guidance that corresponds with your selection below.

Using an Enterprise Account Option

1. Upon making your selection, you will be directed to the corresponding Identity Provider (IDP) and prompted to enter credentials.
   1. Note: If you currently have an active IDP session, your identity will be verified without entering credentials.
2. Once your identity is verified, you will be directed back to InfraLink for authentication.
3. If you do not have a User Account for the InfraLink instance, you will be prompted with the question, "Would you like to request a user account?"
4. Click Yes. 
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5. You will be presented with the New User Account Request form.
   1. Some form fields will be pre-populated with data from the enterprise IDP. Leave each prepopulated entry as is.
   2. Any fields with an asterisk * are required.
      
      1. Notes: Specify your project and responsibilities for correct account configuration. A brief description will suffice.
         
6. Click on Request at the bottom right corner of the window.
7. A message will confirm that your request was successfully submitted.

Using the Internal Account Option

1. Upon making your selection, you will be directed to the 
2. Click the Request Account link.
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3. The New User Account Request form will appear.
4. Populate all required fields, which are marked with an asterisk (*) and any optional fields that apply.
   1. Authentication/Provider Domain: Select the correct provider dependent on your company.
      1. Following this selection provide a Login Name for your account.
      2. Enter a Password for your account. The Password must meet complexity requirements:
         1. 8 to 50 characters;
         2. one (1) lower case character;
         3. one (1) upper case character;
         4. one (1) digits; and
         5. one (1) special character. 
      3. Re-enter that same Password.
   2. Notes: Specify your project and responsibilities for correct account configuration. A brief description will suffice.
   3. Email: Enter your company email.
   4. First Name: Enter your first name.
   5. Last Name: Enter your last name.
5. Click on Request at the bottom right corner of the window.
6. The application will provide a confirmation that your request was successfully submitted.
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Using the PKI Credential Option (e.g., Government-issued CAC)

Users who will rely on a PKI/CAC credential for instance authentication should follow these steps for InfraLink User Account initiation.

1. Ensure your PKI/CAC credential is properly seated in your device.
2. Open a new web browser window and navigate to the instance url (i.e., sign-in page)
   1. If you are unsure of the instance URL, request support from your supervisor or Instance Administrator.
3. From the available authentication options, select "I have a PKI credential" 
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4. You will be prompted to select the appropriate certificate and enter your PIN, if necessary.
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5. InfraLink will scan existing User Accounts for a matching identity. 
6. If no identity match is found, you will be prompted with the message, "Would you like to request a user account?"
7. Click Yes.
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8.  InfraLink will present the New User Account Request form.
   1. Some required form fields (e.g., first, middle and last name) will be automatically populated from PKI/CAC information.
9. Populate, at minimum, the remaining required fields, marked with an asterisk ( * ):
   1. Notes - Summarize your need for instance access, including your contract/project association and position/role.
   2. Email - Enter the desired email address for contract/project-related communications and InfraLink notifications.
10. Select the Request button at the bottom right corner of the request form
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11. InfraLink will provide a confirmation message upon successful User Account Request submission.
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12. All New User Account Requests must be reviewed by an Instance Administrator.

User Account Approval and Activation

All New User Account Requests must be reviewed by an Instance Administrator.

Upon the approval of your New User Account Request, you will receive an email notification. This notice will be sent to the email address specified within the New User Account Request form.

InfraLink Sign In with a User Account

Once your InfraLink User Account has been approved and activated by an Instance Administrator, you will receive email notification. You can then sign in to InfraLink.

1. Using any browser, navigate to the URL for the desired InfraLink instance.

2. From the sign-in page, select the correct authentication method for your User Account.

   1. This will be the same selection made when you requested your User Account.

3. Based on your selection you will be redirected for identity verification:

   1. Enterprise account users will be redirected to the enterprise Identity Provider (IDP).
      1. Enter enterprise credentials when prompted.
         1. Note: Users with an active IDP session will not be prompted to enter credentials.
         2. Successful identity verification via the enterprise IDP will direct you back to InfraLink and complete your User Account login.
   2. Internal account users will be directed to a sign-in page
      1. Enter Login Name and Password when prompted.
      2. Click Sign In.
   3. PKI Credential users must have their PKI/CAC credential properly seated in their device.
      1. The user may be prompted to select the appropriate certificate and enter their PIN.
      2. If certificate selection and PIN are cached, the user will be automatically authenticated.

Functionality Available Within InfraLink and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

The functionality available within InfraLink to an authenticated User depends on the permissions granted to the User by the Instance Administrator via the Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). Based on the nature of the projects supported by the Instance and the associated security policies, the User Permissions may be granted globally at the Contract level:

• Global permissions apply across all Contracts configured on the Instance. 
• Contract-level permissions give the User access to certain data and/or actions only within the scope of the specific Contracts. 

Based on the permissions granted by the Instance Administrator, some of the functionality and/or data may not be available to you within the InfraLink User Interface. If you believe the permissions granted to you are insufficient, please contact your Instance Administrator to adjust the access level.   

Logging Out, Ending and Extending Your InfraLink Session

To prevent unauthorized access and / or changes to the information maintained in InfraLink, it is recommended that you use the Logout function, available via the User Menu, to terminate your session.

If you do not use the logout function, InfraLink will terminate your session automatically after a certain period of inactivity. The automatic logout period is configured by your Instance Administrator and may be different from one Instance to another. Typically, it is set to 15-20 minutes. One minute before the session termination a banner that shows remaining time will appear on your screen, notifying you that session termination is approaching. At this point you may let the session expire, or use the Continue button to extend it.