CAC military refers to the Common Access Card, which is the standard identification card used by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). It is a "smart" card issued to active duty uniformed service personnel, Selected Reserve members, DoD civilian employees, and eligible contractor personnel.
Understanding the CAC
The Common Access Card serves multiple purposes beyond basic identification. It's about the size of a credit card and contains an embedded microchip that enables various functionalities:
- Visual Identification: Displays the cardholder's photograph, name, rank (if applicable), and other identifying information.
- Physical Access Control: Grants access to military installations, buildings, and controlled areas based on pre-defined permissions.
- Logical Access Control: Enables secure access to DoD computer networks, systems, and applications through authentication procedures.
- Digital Signatures: Allows users to digitally sign documents and emails, ensuring authenticity and non-repudiation.
- Encryption: Facilitates secure communication and data protection through encryption capabilities.
Who Uses the CAC?
The CAC is issued to a wide range of individuals affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense:
- Active Duty Military Personnel: Soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen on active duty.
- Reserve Component Members: Members of the Army Reserve, National Guard, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Marine Corps Reserve.
- DoD Civilian Employees: Civilian personnel working for the Department of Defense.
- Eligible Contractors: Contractors who require access to DoD facilities and systems.
Functions of the CAC
The CAC provides authentication and access control features which includes:
-
Physical Access is granted using the CAC to allow access to military installations and restricted areas.
-
Computer Access is granted by using a PIN and the chip on the CAC card that then will grant access to protected government networks and computers.
The Common Access Card is a critical component of the DoD's security infrastructure, ensuring controlled access to facilities, systems, and information.
