VIENNA, Va., 20 Dec. 2006. Representatives from NetCentrics Corporation, a technology consulting firm, announced the company's involvement in deploying one of the first enterprise-wide Common Cryptographic Log-in (CCL) using Common Access Cards (CAC) solutions to improve the security of the network at Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA).
This implementation was a pilot to identify challenges that could occur while deploying CCL to computer systems and secure email systems throughout the entire US Army. This level of effort was put forth in order to comply with Homeland Security and Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12).
Presidential Directive HSPD-12 directs all government agencies to improve the security of their physical locations, and to increase security to computer networks and systems. The Common Access Card is now in use to provide physical access to buildings, and will increasingly become the preferred method of access to computer networks and other secure communication systems. Since it uses a two factor authentication method (something you have AND something you know), it will replace the standard user's log-in ID and password.
"NetCentrics, as part of the L3 team at HQDA did an outstanding job deploying the technology necessary for HQDA to achieve its security goals," said Michael E. Shea, VP/Program Director for L3 Services Group supporting IMCEN. "NetCentrics demonstrated an excellent understanding of the challenges and issues and is in the forefront of securing our vital information assets and systems."
"We're proud to have supported IMCEN (Information Management Center) to make HQDA one of the first agencies in the federal government compliant with HSPD-12 for system access and security," said Bob Dixon, Senior Network Strategist at NetCentrics. "Supporting over 10,000 users, we've learned a lot about the challenges and issues facing large organizations tasked with implementing Cryptographic Only Log-in and two factor authentications."
As part of the L3 team supporting IMCEN, NetCentrics worked with HQDA to identify the appropriate hardware, readers and terminals and integrated the solution into the existing Microsoft-based Active Directory network. The 10,000+ individuals accessing the HQDA system now use their CAC cards and a PIN number to identify themselves to log-in to the network and secure email, rather than a simple user name and password.
