The General Services Administration released its draft document of solutions available for federal agencies to verify the identities of employees Aug. 26.
GSA’s list of Identity, Credential and Access Management (ICAM) offerings was released in response to a May memo from the Office of Management and Budget that mandated new policy at federal agencies. The directive required GSA to publish “a consolidated catalog of existing ICAM solutions and shared services.”
Agencies must develop an agencywide ICAM office, use best-in-class, tier two or shared services contracts to procure the ICAM products. GSA — along with OPM, DHS and the National Institute of Standards and Technology — will develop road maps for agencies. GSA will ensure that acquisition options comply with OMB’s ICAM policy.
The draft catalog includes several solutions listed within GSA’s IT Schedule 70 and 84, both of which are being consolidated under the GSA’s new multiple-award schedules IT consolidation.
In a Aug. 27 blog post, Bill Zielinski, the assistant commissioner for the Office of Information Technology Category at GSA, said the ICAM policy comes at a “crucial time.”
“Identity is now more than just a person; it is a unique representation of a subject and can include devices like cellphones, tablets, TVs, or any network-connected item,” Zielinski wrote. “Ensuring the right people (or device) have the right credentials and access are paramount.”
ICAM technology touches files, computer systems, server rooms and even buildings, Zielinski wrote.
The GSA is looking for feedback on the document.
Andrew Eversden covers all things defense technology for C4ISRNET. He previously reported on federal IT and cybersecurity for Federal Times and Fifth Domain, and worked as a congressional reporting fellow for the Texas Tribune. He was also a Washington intern for the Durango Herald. Andrew is a graduate of American University.
