PIV

The PIV (Personal Identity Verification) card is an identification card issued by a federal agency that contains a computer chip, which allows it to receive, store, recall, and send information in a secure method. The main function of the card is to encrypt or code data to strengthen the security of both employees’ and Veterans’ information and physical access to secured areas, while using a common technical and administrative process. The method used to achieve this is called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology. PKI complies with all Federal and VA security policies, and is the accepted Global Business Standard for Internet Security. As an added benefit, PKI can provide the functionality for digital signatures to ensure document authenticity.