Over the next several years, the Department of Defense is phasing in smart cards to replace old DoD identity badges for all of its personnel. The new cards, called common access cards (CACs) will still hold the picture and name of . . .
Over the next several years, the Department of Defense is phasing in smart cards to replace old DoD identity badges for all of its personnel. The new cards, called common access cards (CACs) will still hold the picture and name of the bearer, but will also contain electronic information, such as digital certificates that, along with biometric information like a fingerprint and/or a pin number, can be used verify the bearer.

CACs are becoming required for access to buildings and secure spaces, and will support things like food service and healthcare access. Taking the idea a step further, CACs are now also being used to give their bearers private keys for access to workstation desktops and specific applications or databases, and to sign or encrypt email too sensitive for the eyes of administrators or other curious parties. In this case, qualified users insert their CAC into a reader located at the PC, and enter a pin number for access.

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