Yes it is true.  Here is the email I received.

 

Tina

 

 

This message applies to ALL Users of the ONR AwardWeb, AdminWeb, and PayWeb Systems.

 

On September 26, 2006, the Naval Network Warfare Command (NETWARCOM) directed that all Naval Web Servers hosting applications accessed by external users must implement Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) electronic authentication of users. 

 

This was to be accomplished by October 4, 2006; however, we were able to obtain a 90 day delay in implementation until January 4, 2007. 

 

What this means is that the users of these systems will need to purchase a PKI certificate from an approved source in order to obtain access.  These certificates cost between $99 and $115 per year for each user.

 

The approved sources of these certificates are as follows:

           

            * ORC at http://eca.orc.com

 

            * VeriSign, Inc. at http://www.verisign.com/gov/ieca

 

Beginning on January 4, 2007, all of the ONR web sites will be PKI enabled.  We sincerely apologize for the short notice, but hope that you will understand that increased security is becoming a significant issue, and we are attempting to preserve/protect our ability to interchange information with you electronically.

 

The enclosed email provides further information on this effort which was originally to be accomplished in July 2006.  If you have questions or require technical assistance in implementing PKI, the following telephone numbers should prove helpful.

PKI Technical Questions - Navy PKI Help Desk 1-800-304-4636

DAWN LEYMEISTER/CIV/NETWARCOM N33/LOC:NORFOLK VA /TEL:757-417-7929

Please do not delay in taking action to get your  PKI certificates. The
process entails face-to-face identification in front of either a Registration Authority or a Notary Public prior to the request being processed.  It can potentially take several days from certificate request to certificate issuance, so please act early.