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Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors: Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201 Approved by the Secretary of Commerce

Published

Author(s)

Shirley M. Radack

Abstract

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors, was approved by Carlos M. Guitierrez, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, on February 25, 2005. The standard specifies a system based on the use of smart cards, which will be issued by all federal government departments and agencies to their employees and contractors who require access to federal facilities and information systems. Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12, issued by President Bush on August 27, 2004, directed the development of the standard for a government-wide identification system that would enhance security, increase government efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and protect personal privacy. NIST developed the standard, working in conjunction with private industry and with other federal agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Departments of Defense, State, Justice and Homeland Security. FIPS 201 specifies the technical and operational requirements for interoperable PIV systems that issue smart cards as identification credentials and that use the cards to authenticate an individual's identity. Information about the standard, how it was developed, and related publications is available on NIST's web site.
Citation
ITL Bulletin -

Keywords

authentication, biometrics, certification & accreditation, Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), information system security, Personal Identity Verification, PIV

Citation

Radack, S. (2005), Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors: Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201 Approved by the Secretary of Commerce, ITL Bulletin, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=150230 (Accessed March 18, 2024)
Created March 1, 2005, Updated February 19, 2017