Add and Update IPAWS COG Configurations and Certificates

  • Updated on Aug 8, 2025
  • 4 minute(s) read
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This article will explain what an IPAWS Collaborative Operating Group, or COG, is and how to add or update their configurations and certificates in the system.

Collaborative Operating Groups Overview

A COG is a term used by IPAWS to designate an organization that is responsible for emergency alerting. A COG is established with IPAWS when a Federal, State, local, or tribal alerting authority executes an MOA with FEMA in order to use IPAWS. Further information regarding this process may be found in our Apply for Access to IPAWS article.

Types of COGs

  • Demo COG: Demo COGs are used to carry out FEMA-required training and tests, as well as carrying out internal training and testing beyond FEMA requirements.

  • Live COG: A Live COG is required to send out live WEA and EAS alerts.

Add a COG to IPAWS

Once you have received IPAWS COG information for your Live COG, Demo COG, or both, you can configure them and add their certificates to our system using the following steps:

  1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already

    Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.The Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options in the Mass Notification system dashboard navigation menu.

  2. Navigate to the Admin tab, then click the Configurations option The IPAWS dashboard top menu with the Admin dropdown and configurations option highlighted.

  3. Click the Create New link to create a new configuration A Create New link below the IPAWS Configurations page header.

  4. You will be taken to the Create an IPAWS Configuration page The full Create an IPAWS Configuration page with Name, IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint, and Certificate (JKS) sections.

  5. Enter a name for the configuration in the Name field, if desired The Name field, which is used to determine the name that is shown on the IPAWS message creation form.

    Note: This name will be displayed on the message creation form.

  6. Fill in the IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint fields The IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint section with fields that help define the COG.

    • IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint: Choose 'Live' if your COG ID begins with a 2, or choose 'Demo' if your COG ID begins with a 3

    • COG ID: Enter the six-digit number associated with your COG

    • COG Username: Enter the name of the agency associated with your COG

  7. Fill in the Certificate (JKS) fields The Certificate (JKS) section with fields that define the COG certificate.

    • Cert Alias: Enter the filename of the certificate (.JKS file) sent to you, minus the .JKS file extension

      • Example: IPAWS120028

    • Keystore Password & Key Password: These values are stored in a text file in the same zip file that contains the certificate

    • Cog Certificate: Click the Choose File button to locate and attach the .jks file that matches the details entered

      Note: These values must match or the certificate configuration will be invalid.

  8. Click the Create button to save the configuration A green, rectangular Create button below the Certificate (JKS) section.

    Note: Click the Back to List link to return to the IPAWS Configurations page.A Back to List link below the Create button at the bottom of the Create an IPAWS Configuration page.

Update a COG Configuration

This section will show you how to update the configuration and certificates for your Live COGs and Demo COGs.

  1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already

    Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.The Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options in the Mass Notification system dashboard navigation menu.

  2. Navigate to the Admin tab, then click the Configurations option The IPAWS dashboard top menu with the Admin dropdown and configurations option highlighted.

  3. Click the name of the configuration you want to update An existing example Demo link below the Create New link on the IPAWS Configurations page.

  4. You will be taken to the Edit an IPAWS Configuration page The full Edit an IPAWS Configuration page with Name, IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint, and Certificate (JKS) sections.

    Note: The Upload new certificate link in the IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint section must be clicked to expand and display the Certificate (JKS) section.

  5. Enter or edit the name of the configuration in the Name field, if desired The Name field, which is used to determine the name that is shown on the IPAWS message creation form.

  6. Edit the IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint fields, if desired The IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint section with fields that help define the COG.

    • IPAWS-OPEN Endpoint: The Live or Demo endpoint for the configuration

    • COG ID: The six-digit ID associated with your COG

    • COG Username: The name of the agency associated with your COG

    • Certificate Issue Date: Auto-fills with the date the certificate was issued

    • Certificate Expiration Date: Auto-fills with the date the certificate will expire

    • Certificate Alias: Auto-fills with the filename of the certificate (.jks file) sent to you, minus the .jks file extension

      • Example: IPAWS120028

    • Upload new certificate: Click this link to reveal or hide the Certificate (JKS) section, which is where you can replace an expiring configuration with a new certificate

    • View Permissions: Click this button to retrieve and display the current configuration of this certificate from the IPAWS servers

    • Update Permissions: Click this button to retrieve, update, and display the current configuration of this certificate from the IPAWS servers.

    • Delete Configuration: Click this button to remove this configuration from IPAWS entirely

  7. Fill in or edit the Certificate (JKS) fields to replace the existing configuration with a new certificate, if needed The Certificate (JKS) section with fields that define the COG certificate.

    • Cert Alias: The filename of the certificate (.jks file) sent to you, minus the .jks file extension

      • Example: IPAWS120028

    • Keystore Password & Key Password: These values are stored in a text file in the same zip file that contains the certificate above

    • Cog Certificate: Click the Choose File button to locate and attach the .jks file that matches the details entered above

      Note: These values must match or the certificate configuration will be invalid.

  8. Click the Save button to save all changes A green, rectangular Save button below the Certificate (JKS) section.

    Note: Click the Back to List link to return to the IPAWS Configurations page.A Back to List link below the Save button at the bottom of the Edit an IPAWS Configuration page.

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