Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12

Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) is a directive issued by the United States government to enhance security and improve identity management practices within federal agencies. It was signed by President George W. Bush on August 27, 2004.

The main objective of HSPD-12 is to establish a common identification standard for federal employees and contractors. This standard is known as the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) system. By implementing a standardized PIV system, the directive aims to increase security, reduce identity fraud, and provide a more secure and efficient way for individuals to access federal facilities and information systems.

HSPD-12 requires all federal agencies to issue PIV cards to their employees and contractors, which contain biometrics and identity information. These PIV cards serve as a secure form of identification and authentication for accessing government facilities and systems. The directive also calls for interoperability among different agencies’ identity management systems, ensuring that PIV cards can be recognized and used across different federal organizations.