Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12)

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12)mandates a standardized, secure method for federal employees and contractors to obtain identification credentials. It requires the issuance of a government-wide Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card that securely verifies an individual's identity and grants access to government facilities and information systems. This initiative enhances security by reducing the risk of identity fraud and unauthorized access, ensuring that trusted personnel are properly identifiable across all federal agencies through a consistent, reliable identification process.