3M Cogent, Pasadena, Calif., a global provider of biometric identification solutions to government agencies and commercial enterprises, announced that its MiY-ID Gov biometric access control reader is the first product to be certified as an approved biometric authentication system by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) in accordance with FIPS 201 standard. At a high-level, the Biometric Authentication System performs 1:1 biometric match, validation of the biometric signer’s certificate and interfacing with Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) and Server-based Certificate Validation Protocol (SVCP).

FIPS 201 is a U.S. federal government standard that encompasses specific Personal Identity Verification (PIV) requirements for federal employees and contractors for access to federal facilities and information systems. FIPS 201 was mandated by the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD12) to enhance security, increase government efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and protect personal privacy by establishing a mandatory, government-wide standard for secure forms of identification issued by the federal government to its employees and contractors. All devices used to read, validate, or authenticate the FIPS 201 PIV credentials must be an approved product as certified by GSA.

MiY-ID is 3M Cogent’s award-winning, multi-functional biometric access control reader. As new security standards emerge, organizations are looking for a security product that meets current Physical Access Control System (PACS) standards for PIV, CAC, TWIC, and others. 3M Cogent’s MiY-ID-Gov allows them to meet current standards and adapt to changing standards without having to replace their PACS readers.

“The evaluation testing for the Biometric Authentication System product category is one of the most extensive tests in the GSA FIPS 201 evaluation program. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to solving our customers’ operational challenges by aligning our biometric technology with government requirements,” commented Christopher Crump, director of commercial business of 3M Cogent. “In addition to FIPS 201 PIV credentials, MiY-ID Gov supports other government identity credential programs such as Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC), and Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC).”

For more information, visit www.cogentsystems.com/pacsoverview.asp.