Homeland Personnel Security Initiative

The Homeland Personnel Security Initiative is a Department of Defense (DoD) program managed by the DoD Human Resources Activity (DHRA) and funded under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E), Defense-Wide appropriation. The initiative's primary objective is to enhance the security, standards compliance, and operational effectiveness of personnel identification and credentialing systems across the DoD. This program supports the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) and aligns with federal mandates for secure and interoperable identification solutions for military personnel, civilian employees, and contractors.

A key component of this program element is the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) Initiative. Its goal is to ensure compliance with HSPD-12 and the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Publication 201, which require federal agencies to issue Personal Identification Verification (PIV) cards for rapid electronic authentication. Within the DoD, this is implemented through the Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS), which issues the Common Access Card (CAC) and updates the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). The initiative focuses on research and development to improve the security and standards compliance of the CAC, including enhancements to the physical cardstock and electronic authentication capabilities.

In fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the HSPD-12 Initiative will continue to fund research aimed at adapting the CAC to evolving security requirements and standards. Planned activities include investigating new security features, updating compliance criteria, and refining test plans for credential issuance. These efforts are driven by the need to maintain robust security for DoD personnel and ensure interoperability with other federal systems. The acquisition strategy utilizes existing contract vehicles, primarily through the General Services Administration, to efficiently manage development and implementation activities.

Identity Credential Management (ICM) represents the second major line item within the Homeland Personnel Security Initiative. The ICM program establishes DHRA/Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) as the Enterprise Identity and Credential Registration Service Provider for the DoD. Its objectives are to develop and deploy improved identity federation solutions for both the CAC and the Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card, which serves personnel not eligible for the CAC. The program supports the DoD Chief Information Officer's Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) initiatives, aiming to modernize and streamline credential issuance and management processes.

In FY 2025, the ICM program is scheduled to reach Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for its modernized identity and credentialing solution. This milestone will demonstrate the system's ability to issue CACs and USIDs using updated processes and technologies. In FY 2026, the program will focus on evaluating the issuance of credentials from the modernized solution, ensuring compliance with the latest security standards and verifying that access requirements are met.

The anticipated decrease in funding from FY 2025 to FY 2026 reflects the transition from development to evaluation and sustainment, as the modernized solution reduces the need for ongoing development of evaluation criteria and test plans.

The Homeland Personnel Security Initiative is justified by the ongoing need to protect DoD personnel and assets through secure, standardized, and interoperable identification systems. The program supports the issuance of CACs and USIDs annually, with similar rates expected through FY 2026. By investing in research and development for both the CAC and USID card systems, the initiative aims to address emerging security threats, comply with federal mandates, and ensure that DoD personnel have reliable access to facilities and networks.