HID Global Facilitates Secure Network Access For More Than 85,000 U.S. Government Employees

HID Global, provider of solutions for the delivery of secure identity, recently announced it has secured an 85,000-unit order from a major U.S. government agency for the company’s OMNIKEY contact smart card readers for network authentication. 

“This significant order from a major U.S. agency re-asserts HID Global’s position as one of the premier providers of physical and logical access control solutions for the government,” said Anthony Ball, senior vice president, Identity and Access Management (IAM) with HID Global.  “With our growing product family and recent acquisitions of ActivIdentity and LaserCard, we now offer one of the industry’s broadest security product portfolios for government and enterprise customers. Our offering includes RFID cards and readers used for physical access, as well as smart cards, readers and middleware used for secure identity assurance and network authentication, plus secure card printing and issuance solutions.  HID products are trusted by millions of government employees, across hundreds of agencies, worldwide.”

HID Global will be providing the U.S. government with 85,000 OMNIKEY USB contact-based smart-card readers.  The readers will be used in conjunction with an individual’s identity card, which incorporates a contact smart card module to authenticate the user during network logon. 

The OMNIKEY readers support the U.S. Federal Government’s smart card program, including Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards that are mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), and the commonly used Common Access Card (CAC) credential.  Both cards address requirements for federally issued credentials that U.S. Government employees and contractors must use to gain physical access to secured buildings and logical access to government computer resources.  More than 5 million credentials have been issued by the government, to date.

HID Global’s government offerings are designed to help federal agencies defend against security threats and meet compliance requirements while streamlining their infrastructures and simplifying the user experience.  The company’s OMNIKEY solutions feature the industry’s longest warranties and highest reliability specifications, and include both RFID- and contact-based readers for use with desktop and mobile devices.

OMNIKEY readers are also used with a variety of contact and contactless smart cards by security-conscious businesses and organizations in commercial enterprise applications and in heavily regulated industries including utilities and healthcare.  By enabling the re-use of physical access credentials in IT authentication scenarios, OMNIKEY readers facilitate simple and cost-effective while highly secure two-factor PC authentication.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.