A method begins by a requesting entity sending a distributed storage network (DSN) access request to a request verification entity, wherein the DSN access request includes a signed certificate and DSN accessing information. The method continues by a request verification entity sending a signed DSN access request to the requesting entity when the request verification entity signs the DSN access request after verifying the signed certificate and the DSN accessing information. The method continues by the requesting entity sending the signed DSN access request to a DSN accessing entity. The method continues by the DSN accessing entity sending an authorized DSN access request to the DSN via a network connection when the DSN accessing entity verifies a signature of the request verification entity, wherein the authorized DSN access request includes, at a minimum, the DSN accessing information.