Final answer:
CAC (Common Access Card) and PIV (Personal Identity Verification) are secure forms of identification containing digital certificates used for authentication, digital signing, and data encryption for U.S. federal employees and contractors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding CAC/PIV Certificates
The CAC (Common Access Card) and PIV (Personal Identity Verification) are forms of secure identification used by the United States federal employees and contractors. These cards serve as both physical access badges and digital cards for accessing computer networks and systems. The CAC/PIV cards contain digital certificates that are used for a number of functions, including authenticating to systems and services, digitally signing emails and documents, and encrypting data to ensure its confidentiality. These certificates are essentially electronic credentials, confirming the identity of the cardholder and granting them access to resources based on their permissions.
CACs are generally used by the Department of Defense, while PIV cards are used by other federal employees. Both types of cards are closely controlled and are considered secure forms of identification due to the embedded certificates and the processes in place for issuing them, which includes verifying the identity and eligibility of the individual.