FIPS 201 refers to a set of standards drafted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States, and subsequently published by the latter in early 2005. FIPS 201 sets out the minimum requirements of a secure means of identification for federal government employees and contractors.

The standards, entitled ‘Personal Identity Verification for Federal Employees and Contractors' (PIV), are a response to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), a directive issued by the White House in August 2004 with the aim of enhancing security and improving efficiency in government agencies, protecting personal privacy and reducing identity fraud.

The directive, which is (indirectly) a result of the events of September 11^th 2001 and subsequent security concerns, identifies the need for a ‘strong means of authentication', which implies secure and reliable means of identity verification. PIV in turn seeks to respond to this by specifying the architecture and technical requirements for a common identification standard for federal employees and contractors. The overall goal, in NIST's own words, is to achieve appropriate security assurance for multiple applications by efficiently verifying the claimed identity of individuals seeking physical access to federally controlled government facilities and electronic access to government information systems.

Bell ID's ANDiS4FIPS201 has been on the Approved Products List since 2006, as a key part of a partner's solution. However, since April 2008 the solution is now listed under the Bell ID name. For more information please click here .

References

• General Services Administration (US government agency)
• TWIC Phase III (US)

 
Click here to return to the Government ID page