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The CAC and the importance of PII The department of defense starting using the Common Access Card or CAC in the spring of 2001. The CAC is used to enable physical access to building, installations, and controlled spaces, and is used to securely access unclassified information systems and applications that link the Department’s computer networks.
It also allows users to log on to their computer, encrypt e-mail, or digitally sign documents. Which if that that was not enough to insure the fact that it needs to constantly accountable for the CAC holds various forms of PII. The CAC contains a soldier’s first, middle, and last names, person designator code, rank, Social Security Number, Geneva Convention Category, date of birth, organ donor information, and blood type.
Not to mention the chip is embedded with such information as , organ donor information, Public Key Infrastructure, certificates such as ID, e-mail, and encryption, private authentication materials, date of birth, meal entitlement code, exchange code, commissary code, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation code (in order to distinguish ability to use specific athletic facilities), end date for your CAC non-medical benefits eligibility end calendar date, entitlement condition code, benefit end date, branch of service, personnel category (such as civilian, active duty, etc. , Government Agency Code, pay category, pay grade, three-digit service short name, and card management information like when it expires. With all that information there is no question that if it falls into the wrong hands the results could be rather hazardous which is what the CAC is embedded with a verification code which has the be at least 6 numbers long. This code must be input every time you log into a computer or if your CAC has been removed for the computer. I have always believed that in order to know the importance of something you first have to know what it is that you have.
I have been in possession of a CAC card for the past three years and never even knew what CAC stood for. Which is why I am glad that I got this assignment. I have had time to do some research and really realized what’s at stake and just how important the accountability of my PII really is. After all it is my identity. When someone has you identity that have your life just without all the responsibility. With all that information someone could get a credit card in my name ruin my credit which in turn could ruin my security clearance which in turn could ruin my job.
The possibilities are endless what one could do. There is a lot more at stake then the little card that takes like ten minutes to make and replace. It’s my life that I carry around in my pocket. It’s more important than had even imagined and I have learned a real lesson. I am no good at essays or English and I hope know that I have learned my lesson and it won’t happen again. I tried really hard to fulfill my requirements for this essay but I really have nothing more to say on the subject other than I’m sorry. I realize that I was in the wrong and it will not happen again.