DHS to use Entrust’s PKI

Entrust says its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology will now provide the unified security infrastructure for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components.

The Entrust deployment, which will be facilitated by XTec Inc, will provide PKI services and digital certificates for all DHS components and their employees.

The two-year implementation will use Entrust’s PKI architecture, Entrust Authority, as well as Entrust Entelligence Security Provider and Xtec’s AuthentX platform for the management and secure distribution of the agency’s internal digital certificates. These certificates will provide DHS smartcard login, network authentication, as well as encryption for email and desktop environments.

“PKI technology remains such a valuable and versatile tool, regardless of the scope or type of environment it secures,” says Bill Conner, president and CEO, Entrust.

“XTec has years of experience as a security solutions provider for the US government, and opting for a strong, proven PKI will help DHS meet their immediate and long-term security needs,” says Albert Fernandez, CEO, XTec. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with Entrust on this critical government project, and our team innovation will serve as a strong security model for other US agencies to follow.”

XTec provides the knowledge, products and experience to help US federal departments and agencies deploy solutions to comply with HSPD-12 and PIV requirements, as defined in FIPS 201 and related NIST standards. The specific solution, Xtec’s AuthentX Identity Management System, includes all required components for an HSPD-12 PIV II solution.