No, it is not advisable to share your SAM (System for Award Management) login credentials with others in your organization. SAM accounts are intended to be accessed and managed by authorized individuals with specific roles and responsibilities. Sharing login credentials can lead to several security and compliance risks:
- Security Risks: Sharing login credentials increases the risk of unauthorized access to your SAM account. Unauthorized users may compromise sensitive information or make changes without proper authorization.
- Account Integrity: Each SAM account is associated with a specific entity and its registration details. Sharing credentials can lead to unintentional or unauthorized modifications to your entity’s information, potentially causing data inaccuracies.
- Compliance Issues: SAM accounts often have designated roles, such as Entity Administrator, Entity Registration Delegate, or Financial Assistance Certification roles. Sharing credentials can lead to non-compliance with SAM’s role-based access control requirements.
- Audit Trail Confusion: When multiple individuals use the same login credentials, it becomes challenging to establish a clear audit trail of actions taken within the SAM account. This can complicate efforts to track and document account activity.
Instead of sharing login credentials, SAM provides mechanisms to assign specific roles and permissions to authorized individuals within your organization. Here’s what you should do:
- Entity Administrator: Designate an Entity Administrator responsible for managing your SAM registration. This person can create additional user accounts with appropriate roles and permissions.
- Assign Roles: Utilize SAM’s role-based access control to assign roles such as Entity Registration Delegate or Financial Assistance Certification as needed. Each role has specific responsibilities and access rights.
- Create Separate User Accounts: If multiple individuals within your organization require access to SAM for different purposes, create separate user accounts for each person. This ensures accountability and a clear audit trail.
- Implement Strong Authentication: Encourage all authorized users to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for their SAM accounts. 2FA adds an extra layer of security.
- Train Staff: Provide training to individuals with SAM access, ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities, as well as best practices for cybersecurity.
By following these practices, you can maintain the security and integrity of your SAM account while ensuring that authorized personnel have the necessary access to perform their roles effectively. Sharing login credentials should be avoided to protect your organization’s sensitive information and comply with SAM’s security and access policies.
Need Help?
Contact the FPR Help Desk through the following methods:
- Phone: 1-866-717-5267 (toll-free)
- Email: help@federalprocessingregistry.com
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https://federalprocessingregistry.com/register-online/