Access Management

Supported by Becta and JISC, and operated by JANET(UK), the UK Access Management Federation (‘the UK federation’) provides Schools, Further and Higher Education and Research sectors with a framework for accessing online learning resources.

The UK federation is made up of ‘identity providers’ (IdP) such as Local Authorities, Regional Broadband Consortia, Universities and Colleges, and ‘service providers’ (SP) such as publishers of online resources. Members of the UK federation agree to a set of policies for exchanging information about users enabling access to, and use of, online resources and services while protecting the privacy of the individuals.

The UK federation recommends the use of software called Shibboleth, which is a framework for federated access management and is capable of granting individual learners with secure ‘anytime, anywhere’ access to educational resources.

The standards-based technology deployed in federated access management allows for a simplified sign-on improving the user experience by providing fewer login credentials for them to remember, offering seamless transition between education delivery partners.
Becta’s Harnessing Technology: Next Generation Learning strategy highlights the importance of simplified sign-on in supporting ongoing 14-19 reforms:

“As the new diplomas are introduced, more learners in the 14-19 age range will be studying in multiple settings: at school, in college and in the workplace, technology is essential in co-ordinating delivery across these settings, providing learners with the continuity they need through remote access to information, resources and support…”

Further information about the UK Access Management Federation can be found at http://www.ja.net/development/middleware/uk-federation.html and www.ukfederation.org.uk