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:
- Federal Executive Branch Department and Agency PIV PKIs are operated by individual federal agencies for issuance of PIV PKI credentials to their own personnel.
- 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://www.idmanagement.gov/fpki/notifications/#piv-issuer-information for a listing of type 1 & 2 PKIs used by various federal agencies.
- 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.
- 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.
- Combined Communications-Electronics Board (CCEB) Partner PKIs are unclassified PKIs operated by CCEB partner nations to issue credentials to their personnel.
- 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
| Type | PKI | Highest Assurance Level | Date Tested | Date Retested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DoD Sponsored | DoD External Certification Authority (ECA) Program | PIV-I | N/A | |
| Type 1 | Department of State PKI | PIV | Sep 2008 | May 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 | Oct 2024 Oct 2024 Oct 2024 Oct 2024 Oct 2024 |
| Type 2 | Agencies include: Department of Veteran Affairs | PIV PIV | Oct 2009 | Apr 2019 |
| Type 3 | Boeing PKI | Medium Hardware | May 2012 | Jul 2019 |
| Type 3 | Exostar LLC PKI | Medium Hardware | Sep 2009 | Mar 2021 |
| Type 3 | Lockheed Martin PKI | Medium Hardware | Mar 2009 | Dec 2022 |
| Type 3 | Raytheon PKI | Medium Hardware | Mar 2009 | Mar 2021 |
| Type 4 | Carillon Federal Services PKI | PIV-I | Dec 2015 | Sep 2021 |
| Type 4 | Carillon Information Security PKI | PIV-I | Sep 2021 | |
| Type 4 | Entrust Managed Services NFI PKI | PIV-I | Oct 2011 | Sep 2024 |
| Type 4 | IdenTrust NFI PKI | PIV-I | Mar 2016 | |
| Type 4 | Northrop Grumman PKI | PIV-I | Nov 2008 | Jun 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 5 | Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) PKI | Medium Hardware | Jun 2013 | Oct 2022 |
| Type 6 | Netherlands Ministry of Defence PKI | Medium Hardware | Sep 2012 | Feb 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
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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.
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10 Mar 2023
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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.
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10 Mar 2023
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Using Commercial PKI Certificates
This slick sheet addresses questions regarding how and where commercial PKI certificates may be used within the DoD.
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03 Dec 2024
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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.
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10 Mar 2023
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Trust Anchor Constraints Tool (TACT): 1.2.6 User Guide
This guide provides usage instructions for TACT.
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30 Nov 2018
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Trust Anchor Constraints Tool (TACT): 1.2.6 Installation Instructions
This guide provides installation instructions for TACT.
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30 Nov 2018
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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.
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30 Nov 2018
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Raytheon PKI Technical Information
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13 Mar 2019
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PKI Interoperability Test Tool (PITT): 2.0.6 User Guide
This guide provides usage instructions for PITT.
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30 Nov 2018
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ORC ECA Support
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01 Mar 2019
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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
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21 Feb 2019
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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
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21 Feb 2019
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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
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21 Feb 2019
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NIST SP 800-63-3
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24 Feb 2019
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IdenTrust ECA Support
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01 Mar 2019
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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
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21 Feb 2019
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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)
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10 Mar 2023
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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)
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21 Feb 2019
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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.
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01 Nov 2023
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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.
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23 Aug 2019
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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.
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30 Nov 2018
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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.
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30 Nov 2018
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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)
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21 Feb 2019
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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
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21 Feb 2019
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DoD CIO Memo: Curtail Issuance of Entrust Non-Person Entity, Public Key Infrastructure Certificates
This DoD CIO memo, dated 29 Oct 2024, provides guidance that Entrust NPE PKI certificates issued after 11 Nov 2024 should not be used to credential DoD public websites.
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03 Dec 2024
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DoD Approved External PKIs Types 5 & 6 Certificate Trust Chains (Foreign, Allied, Coalition Partner and Other PKIs) - Version 1.5
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09 Dec 2024
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DoD Approved External PKIs Types 3 & 4 Certificate Trust Chains (Non Federal Issuers) - Version 1.18
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09 Dec 2024
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DoD Approved External PKIs Types 1 & 2 Certificate Trust Chains (Federal Agencies) - Version 1.13
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09 Dec 2024
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DoD Approved External PKIs Master Document - Version 11.4
This document provides Certification Authority (CA) certificate trust chain and assurance level information for all Department of Defense (DoD) approved Public Key Infrastructures (PKIs).
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11 Apr 2025
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DoD Approved External PKI Certificate Trust Chains - Version 11.4
This zip file contains certificate trust chains for DoD Approved External PKIs.
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11 Apr 2025
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DoD Approved External OCSP URLs - Version 1.19
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09 Dec 2024
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DoD Approved External CRL Distribution Points (CRLDPs) - Version 1.21
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09 Dec 2024
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DoD Approved Assurance Levels from External Partner PKIs - Version 1.17
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09 Dec 2024
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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.
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11 Apr 2025
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