Personal Identity Verification(PIV)
A federal standard for secure credentialing that uses smart cards for physical and logical access to federal facilities and systems.
Overview
Personal Identity Verification (PIV) refers to the federal credentialing standard established by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). PIV cards are smart cards that combine physical identity verification with cryptographic authentication for access to federal buildings and IT systems. Contractors performing on federal sites often require PIV credentials.
Why It Matters in GovCon
Many federal contracts, particularly those involving classified or sensitive work, require contractor personnel to obtain PIV cards. The sponsorship and vetting process can take weeks or months. Proposals must account for PIV requirements in staffing plans and schedules. Lack of PIV-ready staff can disqualify otherwise qualified teams.
Key Details
- HSPD-12: Mandates a common identification standard across federal agencies.
- Sponsorship: A federal agency must sponsor contractor employees for PIV issuance.
- Background Check: Requires a favorable National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) or equivalent.
- Logical Access: PIV cards enable two-factor authentication for federal IT systems.
- CAC: The DoD equivalent is the Common Access Card (CAC).
Related Terms
- Common Access Card (CAC)
- HSPD-12
- Facility Clearance
- Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
More Security Terms
The government official with the authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts on behalf of the U.S. government.
A government employee designated by the contracting officer to monitor contractor performance and serve as the technical point of contact.
Federal law establishing a framework for securing federal information systems and protecting government data.
A government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment and authorization for cloud services.
A sensitivity designation for unclassified information that requires protection from unauthorized disclosure.
Policies and technologies that control who can access systems and data and what they can do.
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