EyeLock biometric software suite adds format for US federal government ID credentials

EyeLock has added a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential format used primarily by the U.S. Federal Government for access to federal facilities and information systems at the appropriate security level to its flagship EyeLock Identity Suite (EIS).

A U.S. Federal Government Agency contacted EyeLock in August to design, engineer and embed its 200-bit PIV card format into the EIS software, according to the announcement.

PIV credentials are typical access cards issued by governments which contain at least one security feature to reduce counterfeiting and make them tamper-resistant by providing visual evidence of any changes with specialized inks, laser etching, holographic images and watermarks. The certificates and key pairs associated with PIV credentials use unique identifiers like biometrics to provide multi-factor authentication capabilities for networks, applications and buildings.

EyeLock says a typical PIV credential supports a minimum of 200 bits of data, compared to between 26 and 40 bits for a typical access card.

“With our support of the U.S. Federal Government’s standard PIV card format, we now have the right platform and tools in place to meet Federal Government requirements. More agencies have expressed interest as well, and we are focused on expanding our business within this channel,” said Jeff Carter, CEO of EyeLock.

The company also explained in a Biometric Update guest post in August how small and medium-sized businesses can put biometrics and temperature screening in place to safely reopen amid the ongoing pandemic.

Article Topics

access management  |  biometric software  |  biometrics  |  credentials  |  EyeLock  |  PIV cards  |  U.S. Government