Sending an IPAWS alert from your organization with Everbridge is a powerful tool to keep people safe and informed, however, this must be set up correctly by an administrator before you are able to send out IPAWS alerts over specific Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) channels. Once you are certified and authorized, FEMA issues the necessary credentials via email to access IPAWS within Everbridge.

FEMA provides two zip files; one for your live Collaborative Operating Group (COG) and one for your test profile. Each zip file contains a COG ID or unique collaborative operating group identifier, a digital certificate in a JKS file format, and a text file with a confidential private key and key store. The certificates and credentials need to be uploaded to Everbridge in order to activate and send IPAWS alerts.

Log in to the Everbridge Manager Portal and select your Organization.

Select "Settings".

Select "Organization".

Choose "Publishing Options".

Click on "CAP Channels".

Select "IPAWS".

Set up your Test profile first. Once fully configured and tested, you can set up your Live COG group in the same manner.

Under CERTIFICATE, Choose File.

Upload the certificate file. In this example the file name is "IPAWSOPEN120076.jks".

Enter the COG ID. The COG ID is the 6-digit numeric value that is part of the certificate filename. In this case it is "120076".

Enter the COG Alias. The COG Alias is the certificate filename without the file extension. In this case, "IPAWSOPEN120076".

Select the "Save" option.

Under CREDENTIALS, toggle the option "Store credentials to be used in places that require Private key and Keystore password". These credentials will be needed each time someone from your organization needs to send an IPAWS alert.

Using the information provided in the text file sent by FEMA, enter the "Private Key".

Enter the "Keystore Password".

Optionally click on the information button to see the Launch Passcode requirements.

Create a Launch Passcode and enter it into the "Launch Passcode" field. Depending on your organization's security preferences, you may opt to use the Launch Passcode instead of the Private Key and Keystore Password. As a best practice Everbridge suggests using the Launch Passcode for simplification.

Select the "Save" option.

Choose the "Get COG profile" option.

Enter the "Launch Passcode".

Select "OK."

This pop-up is a legend of everything your organization is licensed to do with this IPAWS certificate and provides the details to fill in your other IPAWS settings. Send a screenshot of this pop-up to your Everbridge Account Manager to have remaining CAP channels enabled for your organization with your certificates uploaded and credentials entered. Click "OK" when you are done reviewing the certificate.

Set up your Live profile the same way. It is important that you choose different launch passcodes for your test profile and your live profile to reduce chances of making a mistake when testing versus sending live notifications.

The guide covered the process of integrating IPAWS credentials into an Everbridge organization, including uploading an IPAWS certificate, storing credentials, creating a Launch Passcode, and accessing your COG profile. By following these instructions, users can seamlessly set up IPAWS integration within Everbridge.

Access the Everbridge Support Center from the top-right corner of the Manager Portal for more microlearning, release notes, documentation, knowledge articles, Everbridge University training, community Q&A and ideas, security bulletins, service advisories, system status, and for submitting and managing your support tickets.