by Brianna Crandall — August 18, 2014—Gallagher Security, New Zealand-based international provider of integrated access control, intruder alarms management and perimeter protection technology, has announced that its security management platform is now approved by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for sale in the United States.
Gallagher explains that the development of the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 has driven forward the establishment of the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as the standard credential for federal employees and contractors for access to federal information systems and controlled facilities.
The Gallagher solution, thoroughly researched and purpose-built for the U.S. federal market, is an end-to-end system with integrated Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) compliant functionality from a single manufacturer that leverages existing components. The PIV solution is said to be the first to be approved without the use of a PIV Authentication Module.
The solution is also reportedly the first to meet the reader range requirement—its technology reads cards at a 3.5+cm distance, providing the utmost flexibility for the user. Further benefits include significant cost savings compared with non-integrated solutions, minimized device footprint, and ease of installation and maintenance.
The highly effective system combines Gallagher’s Command Centre and Controller 6000 (High Spec) PIV to deliver a single, scalable security management platform. The Command Centre software works seamlessly with the user’s Public Key Infrastructure and information technology network. Gallagher’s powerful access control, intrusion detection, and perimeter security system also integrates with video and building management systems.
According to the company, the Gallagher Controller 6000 (HS) PIV incorporates all the authentication capabilities demanded by the FIPS 201-2 standard, including meeting the federal enterprise-wide need for strong contactless authentication at electronic access control points and the provision of both role and attribute-based authorization. The system reportedly supports multiple devices and interfaces, including mobile, and works with PIV, PIV-I, CAC, and TWIC cards.
