​A PIV smartcard

A PIV smartcard, or Personal Identity Verification smartcard, is a secure identification card used primarily by U.S. federal government employees and contractors. Here are some key points about PIV smartcards: 

1. Purpose: They provide secure, standardized identification for physical and logical access to federally controlled facilities and information systems. 

2. Features: - Embedded microchip storing personal information and biometric data - Digital certificates for encryption, digital signing, and authentication - Printed information including photo, name, and agency affiliation 

3. Security: - Resistant to tampering and counterfeiting - Requires PIN or biometric verification for use 

4. Standards: - Complies with FIPS 201 (Federal Information Processing Standard) - Part of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) 

5. Uses: - Building access - Computer and network login - Digital signatures for documents - Secure email communication