DoD-Approved External PKIs
Commercial PKI Certificates
Interoperability FAQ

In addition to the DoD PKI, the PKIs listed below are approved for use within DoD at the Federal PKI medium hardware equivalent assurance level or higher. Some of the PKIs listed in this section are operated by DoD partners exclusively to serve their own organizations, while others act as Federal Shared Service Providers (SSPs) or commercial Non-Federal Issuers (NFIs). The DoD External Certification Authority (ECA) program provides an alternate method for DoD partners to obtain DoD-approved PKI credentials and is also included.

The DoD External Interoperability Plan (EIP)DoD Instruction 8520.02 Appendix 3B: Mission Partner External PKI Approval Process defines six types of PKIs that can be submitted for DoD approval on unclassified networks:

  1. Federal Executive Branch Department and Agency PIV PKIs are operated by individual federal agencies for issuance of PIV PKI credentials to their own personnel.
  2. Federal Executive Branch Shared Service Provider (SSP) PIV PKIs contract PKI services under the GSA PKI SSP Program for issuance of PIV credentials to Federal Executive Branch departments and agencies.

    Note: See https://playbooks.idmanagement.gov/fpki/pivcas-and-agencies/ for a listing of type 1 & 2 PKIs used by various federal agencies.

  3. Commercial Medium Hardware PKIs are typically operated by large DoD industry partners for issuance of PKI credentials to their employees and contractors; they may also issue PKI credentials to other organizations if permitted by their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DoD.
  4. Commercial Personal Identity Verification-Interoperable (PIV-I) PKIs issue PIV-I PKI credentials to entities that may include employees and contractors of their own organization, other commercial organizations, non-executive branch Federal entities (e.g., the United States Senate), State and local governments as permitted by the PIV-I PKI’s MOA with DoD.
  5. Combined Communications-Electronics Board (CCEB) Partner PKIs are unclassified PKIs operated by CCEB partner nations to issue credentials to their personnel.
  6. Other Mission Partner External PKIs on Unclassified DoD Networks are PKIs serving DoD mission partners that do not align with any of the other listed types (e.g. non-CCEB foreign governments, group or multinational organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)).

The DoD Approved External PKIs Master Document contains the authoritative list of approved partner PKIs (as reflected in the table below), including Certification Authorities (CAs) and assurance levels. The DoD Approved External PKI Certificate Trust Chains zip file contains the corresponding CA certificates. You can find information for a particular PKI by clicking on the PKI’s name in the table.

DoD-Approved External PKIs

TypePKIHighest Assurance LevelDate TestedDate Retested
DoD SponsoredDoD External Certification Authority (ECA) ProgramPIV-IN/A
Type 1Department of State PKI PIVSep 2008May 2020
Type 2
Agencies include, but are not limited to:

Department of Energy

Department of Justice

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Health and Human Services
PIV









PIV
Feb 2010









Oct 2013
Jul 2024










Type 2
Agencies include, but are not limited to:

Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration
PIV



PIV
Dec 2008



Jun 2024
Jul 2014




Type 2
Agencies include, but are not limited to:

Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration

PIV



PIV
Nov 2008








Oct 2021
Type 2
Agencies include:

Department of Homeland Security

Fiscal Services

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Social Security Administration

U.S. Treasury Department-OCIO

Department of Veteran Affairs
PIV



PIV

PIV

PIV

PIV

PIV

PIV
Sep 2008



Mar 2009

Mar 2009

Mar 2009

Jan 2009

Sep 2008

Mar 2020




Mar 2020



Jun 2019






Type 2
Agencies include:

Department of Veteran Affairs

PIV



PIV

Oct 2009









Apr 2019

Type 3Boeing PKIMedium HardwareMay 2012Jul 2019
Type 3Exostar LLC PKIMedium HardwareSep 2009Mar 2021
Type 3Lockheed Martin PKIMedium HardwareMar 2009Dec 2022
Type 3Raytheon PKIMedium HardwareMar 2009Mar 2021
Type 4Carillon Federal Services PKIPIV-IDec 2015Sep 2021
Type 4Carillon Information Security PKIPIV-ISep 2021
Type 4Entrust Managed Services NFI PKIPIV-IOct 2011Apr 2019
Type 4IdenTrust NFI PKIPIV-IMar 2016
Type 4Northrop Grumman PKIPIV-INov 2008Jun 2023
Type 4
Organizations include:

U.S. Senate

PIV-I



PIV-I
Mar 2012



Jul 2023
Jul 2021
Type 4
Organizations include:

CSRA (Formerly Computer Sciences Corporation)

Eid Passport

SureID

U.S. Senate
PIV-I



Medium Hardware

PIV-I

PIV-I

PIV-I
Apr 2011



Jan 2013

Feb 2013

Mar 2017

Sep 2018




Jul 2016

Aug 2014



Jan 2022
Type 5Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) PKIMedium HardwareJun 2013Oct 2022
Type 6Netherlands Ministry of Defence PKIMedium HardwareSep 2012Feb 2020

Interoperability Tools and Documents

This table contains DoD PKI interoperability policy, implementation guidance, and PKE tools that can help facilitate various aspects of configuring DoD systems to support DoD-approved external PKI credentials.

  Title Size Updated
  X.509 Certificate Policy for the U.S. Federal PKI Common Policy Framework X.509 Certificate Policy for the U.S. Federal PKI Common Policy Framework
This Certificate Policy (CP) defines policies for Certification Authorities (CAs) that issue and manage certificates under the Federal Common Policy CA on behalf of federal executive branch agencies.
2023 03 10
  X.509 Certificate Policy for the Federal Bridge Certification Authority (FBCA) X.509 Certificate Policy for the Federal Bridge Certification Authority (FBCA)
This Certificate Policy (CP) defines certificate policies for use by the Federal Bridge Certification Authority (FBCA) to facilitate interoperability between the FBCA and other Entity PKI domains. The FBCA enables interoperability among Entity PKI domains in a peer-to-peer fashion. The FBCA issues certificates only to those CAs designated by the Entity operating that PKI (called Principal CAs). The DoD Interoperability Root Certificate Authority (IRCA) is one such Principle CA.
2023 03 10
  Using Commercial PKI Certificates Using Commercial PKI Certificates
This slick sheet addresses questions regarding how and where commercial PKI certificates may be used within the DoD.
129.77 KB 2024 08 05
  Update to DoD CIO Memo on Commercial Public Key Infrastructure Certificates on Public-Facing DoD Websites Update to DoD CIO Memo on Commercial Public Key Infrastructure Certificates on Public-Facing DoD Websites
This memorandum, signed on November 8, 2021, updates and replaces DoD CIO Memorandum "Commercial Public Key Infrastructure Certificates on Public-Facing DoD Websites" dated November 6, 2020. It provides guidance on the use of commercial TLS and code signing PKI certificates on public-facing DoD websites and services.
254.16 KB 2023 03 10
  Trust Anchor Constraints Tool (TACT): 1.2.6 User Guide Trust Anchor Constraints Tool (TACT): 1.2.6 User Guide
This guide provides usage instructions for TACT.
2.26 MB 2018 11 30
  Trust Anchor Constraints Tool (TACT): 1.2.6 Installation Instructions Trust Anchor Constraints Tool (TACT): 1.2.6 Installation Instructions
This guide provides installation instructions for TACT.
784.07 KB 2018 11 30
  The DoD PKI External Interoperability Landscape - Version 5.5 The DoD PKI External Interoperability Landscape - Version 5.5
This diagram provides an overview of the Federal PKI Interoperability Landscape and illustrates the cross certificate trust relationships between DoD PKI and External PKIs.
747.58 KB 2018 11 30
Raytheon PKI Technical Information Raytheon PKI Technical Information
2019 03 13
  PKI Interoperability Test Tool (PITT): 2.0.6 User Guide PKI Interoperability Test Tool (PITT): 2.0.6 User Guide
This guide provides usage instructions for PITT.
1.88 MB 2018 11 30
ORC ECA Support ORC ECA Support
2019 03 01
  OMB Memorandum 11-11, Continued Implementation of HSPD-12 OMB Memorandum 11-11, Continued Implementation of HSPD-12
OMB M-11-11 requires that all federal agencies continue implementing the requirements outlined in Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12 to enable agency-wide use of the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card. This includes enabling agency IT systems, applications, and facilities to be capable of using the PIV card as the mechanism for granting user access.OMB M-11-11, Continued Implementation of HSPD-12
2019 02 21
  OMB Memorandum 04-04, E-Authentication Guidance for Federal Agencies OMB Memorandum 04-04, E-Authentication Guidance for Federal Agencies
OMB M-04-04 requires requires agencies to review new and existing electronic transactions to ensure that authentication processes provide the appropriate level of assurance. It establishes and describes four levels of identity assurance for electronic transactions requiring authentication.OMB Memorandum 04-04, E-Authentication Guidance for Federal Agencies OMB M-04-04 requires requires agencies to review new and existing electronic transactions to ensure that authentication processes provide the appropriate level of assurance. It establishes and describes four levels of identity assurance for electronic transactions requiring authentication.OMB Memorandum 04-04, E-Authentication Guidance for Federal Agencies
2019 02 21
  NIST SP 800-78-4, Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Sizes for PIV NIST SP 800-78-4, Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Sizes for PIV
NIST SP 800-78-4 specifies the cryptographic algorithms and key sizes for PIV systems and is a companion document to FIPS 201.NIST SP 800-78-4, Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Sizes for PIV
2019 02 21
NIST SP 800-63-3 NIST SP 800-63-3
2019 02 24
IdenTrust ECA Support IdenTrust ECA Support
2019 03 01
  HSPD-12, Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors HSPD-12, Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors
HSPD 12 is a presidential directive requiring all Federal Executive Departments and Agencies to implement a government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification for employees and contractors, for access to Federal facilities and information systems.HSPD-12, Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors
2019 02 21
  FIPS PUB 201-3, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors FIPS PUB 201-3, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors
FIPS PUB 201-3 specifies Personal Identity Verification (PIV) requirements for Federal employees and contractors. This standard specifies a PIV system within which a common identity credential can be created and later used to verify a claimed identity. FIPS PUB 201-3, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors (Download Link)
2023 03 10
  FIPS PUB 201-1, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors​ FIPS PUB 201-1, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors​
FIPS PUB 201-1 specifies Personal Identity Verification (PIV) requirements for Federal employees and contractors. This standard specifies a PIV system within which a common identity credential can be created and later used to verify a claimed identity.FIPS PUB 201-1, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors (Download Link)
2019 02 21
  FAQ: DoD Cross-Certificate Chaining Problem FAQ: DoD Cross-Certificate Chaining Problem
This FAQ discusses the issue of DoD certificates chaining improperly via cross-certificates to the Federal Common Policy Certification Authority (CA) and other partner roots cross-certified with the DoD and provides steps to resolve the issue.
175.7 KB 2023 11 01
  Editing CRLAutoCache Source Locations Editing CRLAutoCache Source Locations
This Quick Reference Guide (QRG) describes how to edit source location and DNLookupTable URLs used by CRLAutoCache for Windows to fetch and cache CRLs.
326.54 KB 2019 08 23
  DoD Memorandum - Department of Defense Requirements for Accepting Non-Federally Issued Identity Credentials DoD Memorandum - Department of Defense Requirements for Accepting Non-Federally Issued Identity Credentials
This DoD Memorandum provides Federal Government Guidance on acceptance and use of Non-Federal Issuer (NFI) identity credentials and specific DoD policies and practices for accepting credentials for logical access to DoD applications and websites.
2.41 MB 2018 11 30
  DoD Memorandum - Department of Defense Acceptance and Use of Personal Identity Verification-Interoperable (PIV-I) Credentials DoD Memorandum - Department of Defense Acceptance and Use of Personal Identity Verification-Interoperable (PIV-I) Credentials
This DoD Memorandum permits acceptance of PIV-I credentials for authentication and access when DoD relying parties, installation commanders, and facility coordinators determine that granting access is appropriate and the appropriate vetting requirements are met.
654.83 KB 2018 11 30
  DoD Instruction 8520.03, Identity Authentication for Information Systems DoD Instruction 8520.03, Identity Authentication for Information Systems
DoDI 8520.03 is a new instruction that requires that all authentications of users be conducted with an appropriate credential that is approved for use by a DoD authority and has been verified as active (not revoked) and not expired by the credential issuing authority. It defines four levels of data sensitivity granularity for sensitive but unclassified information, and three levels of data sensitivity granularity for Secret or Confidential information. It then provides specific requirements for authentication credentials based on these levels of sensitivity. Policy related to authentication requirements was previously found in DoDI 8520.2 which has been obsoleted by DoDI 8520.02.DoD Instruction 8520.03, Identity Authentication for Information Systems (Web Link)
2019 02 21
  DoD Instruction 8520.02, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Public Key (PK) Enabling DoD Instruction 8520.02, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Public Key (PK) Enabling
DoDI 8520.02 is a re-release of DoDI 8520.2 that establishes the availability of the Coalition PKI for Combatant Commands (COCOMS), refers to the SIPRNET PKI that will be transitioned to operate under Committee for National Security Systems (CNSS) authority, provides specific guidance on issuance of alternate logon tokens (ALTs) to Flag-level officers or Senior Executives, and incorporates the DoD CIO "Approval of External PKIs" memorandum (circa July 2008) into the instruction. It also contains two other major changes. The first is that all policy related to authentication requirements has been moved to DoDI 8520.03. The second major change impacts pursuing waivers to DoDI 8520.02. Previously, Component CIOs had the authority to approve waivers to the instruction
2019 02 21
DoD Approved External PKIs Types 5 & 6 Certificate Trust Chains (Foreign, Allied, Coalition Partner and Other PKIs) - Version 1.4 DoD Approved External PKIs Types 5 & 6 Certificate Trust Chains (Foreign, Allied, Coalition Partner and Other PKIs) - Version 1.4
26.84 KB 2024 08 21
DoD Approved External PKIs Types 3 & 4 Certificate Trust Chains (Non Federal Issuers) - Version 1.17 DoD Approved External PKIs Types 3 & 4 Certificate Trust Chains (Non Federal Issuers) - Version 1.17
81.03 KB 2024 08 21
DoD Approved External PKIs Types 1 & 2 Certificate Trust Chains (Federal Agencies) - Version 1.12 DoD Approved External PKIs Types 1 & 2 Certificate Trust Chains (Federal Agencies) - Version 1.12
65.95 KB 2024 08 21
  DoD Approved External PKIs Master Document - Version 11.1 DoD Approved External PKIs Master Document - Version 11.1
This document provides Certification Authority (CA) certificate trust chain and assurance level information for all Department of Defense (DoD) approved Public Key Infrastructures (PKIs).
1.1 MB 2024 08 21
  DoD Approved External PKI Certificate Trust Chains - Version 11.1 DoD Approved External PKI Certificate Trust Chains - Version 11.1
This zip file contains certificate trust chains for DoD Approved External PKIs.
242.49 KB 2024 08 21
DoD Approved External OCSP URLs - Version 1.18 DoD Approved External OCSP URLs - Version 1.18
3.23 KB 2024 08 21
DoD Approved External CRL Distribution Points (CRLDPs) - Version 1.20 DoD Approved External CRL Distribution Points (CRLDPs) - Version 1.20
6.2 KB 2024 08 21
DoD Approved Assurance Levels from External Partner PKIs - Version 1.16 DoD Approved Assurance Levels from External Partner PKIs - Version 1.16
12.1 KB 2023 09 27
  DoD and ECA CRL Distribution Points (CRLDPs) DoD and ECA CRL Distribution Points (CRLDPs)
This file provides a listing of all DoD and ECA CRLDPs. CRLDPs are represented by HTTP URLs that are asserted in the CRL Distribution Points certificate extension. CRLDPs are one of the mechanisms used by DoD relying party applications to validate certificates.
3.7 KB 2024 06 18
Interoperability Topics

Type