Smart Card Alliance Adds New Certification Program

The Smart Card Alliance recently announced an additional smart card certification program for government identity and security professionals, the Certified Smart Card Industry Professional/Government (CSCIP/G) designation. The Alliance also announced its first two CSCIP/G exams, which will be held on June 29 and November 19 in Washington, D.C.

“The use of smart card technology has become a mainstay in the U.S. federal government, securing identities in programs like the FIPS 201 PIV card for all government employees, the DoD’s Common Access Card, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and the First Responder Authentication Credential,” said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. “We recognized that there is a pressing need for more detailed training about the government smart card market than the present CSCIP program provided. In response, we developed this intensive curriculum to train government professionals, contractors and security industry experts on the role of smart cards in future rollouts of the government standards for identity management and security technology.”

Part of the Alliance’s Leadership, Education and Advancement Program (LEAP), CSCIP/G is an extension of the Certified Smart Card Industry Professional (CSCIP) designation. The body of industry knowledge covered by the CSCIP/G certification includes the same fundamentals as the CSCIP certification, and adds in-depth content about U.S. government identity credentialing programs and technologies.

Leading smart card industry professionals have developed the series of educational modules forming the CSCIP/G certification body of knowledge. These educational modules prepare applicants for the CSCIP/G exam administered by the Smart Card Alliance. The CSCIP/G certification exam will cover:

  • Smart card fundamentals.
  • Smart card security features.
  • Smart card application and data management.
  • Smart card usage models.
  • FIPS 201 and common identity, security and privacy requirements.
  • PIV card, physical attributes, data elements, logical credentials and cryptographic specifications.
  • PIV card issuance and lifecycle.
  • FIPS 201 and biometrics.
  • Assurance levels.
  • Use cases for physical and logical access.
  • Federal PKI infrastructure.

Information about the CSCIP/G training materials is now available on the Smart Card Alliance Web site. Instructor-led training courses will be held in Washington, D.C. on June 28 and November 16 prior to the CSCIP/G. For more information, visit the Smart Card Alliance LEAP Web site at http://www.smartcardalliance.org/pages/activities-leap.

Featured

  • UL Solutions Launches Artificial Intelligence Safety Certification Services

    UL Solutions Inc., a global leader in safety science, today announced the launch of artificial intelligence (AI) safety certification services, enabling comprehensive assessments for evaluating the safety of AI-powered products. Read Now

  • ESA Announces Initiative to Introduce the SECURE Act in State Legislatures

    The Electronic Security Association (ESA), the national voice for the electronic security and life safety industry, has announced plans to introduce the SECURE Act in state legislatures across the country beginning in 2025. The proposal, known as Safeguarding Election Candidates Using Reasonable Expenditures, provides a clear framework that allows candidates and elected officials to use campaign funds for professional security services. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.