Smart Card Alliance Gives Advice

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J. -- Security directors and those responsible for physical access control systems (PACS) within government agencies have a new resource to help them choose the right path to accept FIPS 201 compliant credentials – a new white paper, developed by the Smart Card Alliance Physical Access Council in collaboration with the Open Security Exchange (OSE), Security Industry Association (SIA) and International Biometric Industry Association (IBIA).

The white paper, “Physical Access Control System Migration Options for Using FIPS 201-1 Compliant Credentials,” directly addresses the challenges unique to PACS when transitioning to FIPS 201-1 compliant credentials (the Personal Identity Verification card, known as the PIV card). It describes key elements of a typical PACS, identifies migration considerations relative to each, and outlines different migration options and their benefits and challenges. The white paper also discusses options for integration, PACS enrollment and registration, and biometrics.

“The PIV credential enables agencies to implement a range of identity authentication methods, allowing the appropriate method to be used based on an agency's unique security requirements,” said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. “This white paper allows security directors, facilities managers or systems managers to understand the changes introduced by PIV cards, what migration options are available, and how to manage the transition to guarantee success.”

Smart Card Alliance