Identity, Security, Payments, Biometrics, Smart Cards and Authentication News

Government smart card leaders unanimously approve key smart card "PIV" specification

Friday, March 4, 2005

The Interagency Advisory Board (IAB), made up of smart card leaders from major U.S. federal agencies, unanimously voted to approve SP800-73 – a key specification for the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) project. PIV refers to the implementation of smart card and biometric-enabled ID credentials for all government employees. It was mandated by the President in a document titled, Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD12).

On March 3, the IAB met with representatives from the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST) responsible for drafting SP800-73, the 87-page document that defines the smart card interface for the credential.

This is a major achievement considering the wide gap that existed in the discussions just months ago. Ten agencies were represented from the IAB, enough to reach a quorum for the action. The agencies were DHS, DOD, GSA, Interior, Justice, NASA, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs.

The approval of the document enables the progression of Federal Information Processing Standard 201 (FIPS201) as well the meeting of requirements set forth in HSPD12–both documents impacting the government-wide credential.

The outcome will be the implementation of a standardized Federal Identity Credential to all employees and contractors.

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