Department of State Meets HSPD-12 FIPS 201 Deadline
Used XTec's AuthentX™ Credential Management System
Miami, FL, October 27, 2005 -- XTec Incorporated, a longtime support contractor to the State Department, has assisted the State Department in meeting the October 27, 2005 Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) mandate for implementing a FIPS 201 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) system (Part 1).
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Security Technology (DS/C/ST) used smart card technology to enhance the security posture of the Department of State for physical and logical access control. Smart card technology has provided a method to streamline the daily operations and needs of other bureaus within the U.S. Department of State. Since the Presidential Directive was issued, the State Department has been in the process of updating its smart card program to be FIPS 201 compliant. All U.S. Department of State employees, contractors, and affiliates who work within the Department are issued smart ID cards by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security to be used for physical access. The Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM) uses the cards for logical access with PKI and biometrics. The Department of State was one of the first federal agencies to use a smart card for wide scale physical access, as well as logical access and PKI.
"We are excited to support the State Department in the convergence of logical and physical access now made mandatory by HSPD-12," said Kevin Kozlowski, Vice President of Government Initiatives at XTec. "Once again, the State Department is leading by example by being one of the first agencies to meet the Presidential Directive."
The AuthentX™ Credential Management System is leading the market in credential management and authentication systems. This state-of-the-art enterprise system has the ability to issue and manage smart cards in a distributed or centralized card production capacity. AuthentX™ products were chosen by the State Department for their ability to manage large-scale programs, built-in security, and for its cost-effectiveness. The AuthentX™ System is also being deployed for the Maritime Administration's MAC program, the General Services Administration, and the Navy's ENABLER project.
In addition to the AuthentX™ Credential Management System, the Department of State uses the secure, programmable access control readers provided by XTec. The readers support the Government Smart Card Interoperability Specification (GSC-IS), RS-485 interface, the FIPS 201 specification, and the PAIIWG High Security Profile.
About XTec
XTec is a leader in secure, interoperable authentication and verification systems. XTec develops, produces, and licenses enterprise level security solutions for Credentialing, Access Control, Information Systems, and Electronic Commerce for a wide range of government and commercial uses. XTec's focus is on providing a secure foundation from which customers can build secure enterprise web-based applications and cryptographic systems. XTec has a long-standing relationship with the Department of Homeland Security (formerly the United States Secret Service or USSS) for document security using XTec equipment to assist in the forensic tracing of counterfeit cards. XTec is a recognized leader in both government and commercial circles for its expertise and products for credentialing, identity, secure payment, and access control.
