Smart Card Alliance Highlights Significant Policy Considerations for Access Control in OMB Circular A-130 2016 Update

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Sept. 12, 2016 -- The Smart Card Alliance released today a paper in response to the 2016 update to the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, “Managing Information as a Strategic Resource,” which defines federal policy and establishes guidance for management of federal information resources. In the response, the Smart Card Alliance highlights major changes in the policies governing federal use of PIV credentials for access control in the 2016 update to A-130, discusses the impact of these changes on the federal government and commercial industry, and outlines issues to be considered in complying with A-130 for selected topic areas.

The response paper, “Smart Card Alliance Commentary: OMB Circular A-130 – Managing Information as a Strategic Resource,” was developed by the Smart Card Alliance Access Control Council and can be downloaded at http://www.smartcardalliance.org/publications-smart-card-alliance-commentary-omb-circular-a-130-managing-information-as-a-strategic-resource/.

“The Smart Card Alliance supports the updates to the OMB Circular A-130 and believes it provides more clarity for how federal agencies implement identity and information security systems more efficiently and effectively,” said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. “In just a few pages, this paper summarizes the major policy highlights from the 85-page OMB Circular A-130 that impact the implementation of access control systems. The commentary incorporates inputs and perspectives from Smart Card Alliance members representing a variety of different stakeholder groups to discuss the impacts and opportunities for securing government information systems.”

The Alliance’s paper provides commentary on the impact of the update on the access control industry and on government agencies procuring and implementing access control systems. In the response, the Smart Card Alliance addresses how the updated guidance:

• Provides a continued strong focus on the need for implementing updated federal information systems that address information security and privacy
• Reinforces the requirements of HSPD-12 and FIPS 201 and the use of the PIV credential for federal employees and contractors
• Defines the physical access control system (PACS) as an information system that is under the jurisdiction of the CIO and IT departments
• Assigns responsibility to specific agency staff for modernization of IT resources
• Requires agencies to prioritize funding for modernization of IT resources

For more information on the Smart Card Alliance Access Control Council, visit http://www.smartcardalliance.org/alliance-industry-councils/.

About the Smart Card Alliance
The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for-profit, multi-industry association working to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread application of smart card technology.

Through specific projects such as education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations and open forums, the Alliance keeps its members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S. and Latin America. For more information please visit http://www.smartcardalliance.org.

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