CAC Reader / Smart Card Reader

The IOGEAR GSR202 is a TAA compliant USB Common Access Card Reader for military, government and even private sector workers who need everyday access to secure systems. Common Access Card (CAC) or Smart Card readers are used as a communications medium between the Smart Card and a host (e.g. a computer, point-of-sale terminal, network system, etc.) in secure systems such as those used by government, banking and health care.

IOGEAR's USB Common Access Card Readers require the card to be inserted directly into the reader where electrical contacts retrieve the data stored in the card’s chipset. IOGEAR’s physical contact readers are less prone to misalignment, which helps to eliminate the possibility of being misread.

What is a Smart Card or Common Access Card?

Often referred to as a Smart Card, the Common Access Card (or CAC) is the shape of a credit card, and is embedded with a data chip allowing specialized access. In addition to the embedded chip, Smart Cards are usually programmed with a PIN to ensure security for both the card holder and the system being accessed. Having reached tremendous adoption rates outside of the U.S., Smart Cards are now rapidly growing in this country to combat credit card fraud, while also providing the next generation of secure and user friendly identification. The federal government issues Common Access Cards programmed with a Personal Identification Verification (PIV) chip containing the data necessary for the cardholder to be properly identified and granted access to secure federal facilities and information systems. Smart Cards have been in use by the federal government in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) since 2006, and now the technology is rapidly spreading to banking, healthcare and other areas requiring identity verification and secured access.

What is FIPS 201?

FIPS 201 is a set of United States federal government technical standards and issuance policies specifying the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) requirements for federal employees and contractors. These standards dictate the manner by which authorized persons are granted physical and/or logistical access to federal government facilities and networks. IOGEAR’s Smart Card/Common Access Card readers are FIPS 201 compliant.

What is TAA Compliance?

TAA compliance indicates that a specific product follows the requirements outlined in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, basically stating that the product is made in either the United States or a designated country. The designated country list includes those entered into free trade agreement with the U.S., those that take part in the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement, those listed as a Least Developed Country (LDC), and others. Government purchase contracts, especially those for the Department of Defense, generally stipulate a product be TAA compliant in order to be considered for purchase. All of IOGEAR’s TAA compliant products meet the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule requirements for government procurement. Additionally, several of these products are already listed on the GSA Approved Products List so government contractors, distributors and buying offices may refer to the following APL numbers listed below. Please also note that TAA compliance is not mandatory for all government agencies, so IOGEAR also offers a similar non-TAA compliant version of some products in order to provide lower pricing when TAA compliance is not required. For more information or questions about TAA compliance products, please contact us directly.

For a list of all IOGEAR TAA compliant products click here.

The following IOGEAR products are already listed on the GSA Schedule:
GSR202 USB Smart Card Reader: GSA APL #579
GSR203 Portable Smart Card Reader: GSA APL #693
GKBSR201 Keyboard w/Built-in Common Access Card Reader: GSA APL #612