Common Access Card (CAC)
The Common Access Card (CAC) is the standard identification card for active-duty military, DoD civilians, and eligible contractors. Beyond physical identification, the CAC contains digital certificates that enable two-factor authentication to DoD networks and systems, email encryption, and digital signatures.
The CAC is a smart card — it contains a chip with your PKI certificates. When you insert your CAC into a reader and enter your PIN, the system verifies your identity through the certificates on the card. This provides much stronger authentication than passwords alone.
Why It Matters
If your employees need access to DoD systems or facilities, they'll need CACs. Understanding CAC issuance requirements and planning for CAC-enabled infrastructure (card readers, middleware) is essential for contract execution.