Abstract : The U.S. Army has a growing need to control access to its systems in times of both war and peace. In wartime, the Army's dependence on information as a tactical and strategic asset requires the Army to carefully control its battlefield networks. From logistics flows to intelligence on enemy forces, the Army depends on confining access to its data to authorized personnel. This need for access control is also critical at the weapon system level. Access control issues are important to the peacetime Army because improving the efficiency of peacetime operations, including controlling access to facilities, computer systems, and classified information, depends on fast and accurate identification. The Army also operates a vast set of human resource services involving health care, retiree and dependent benefits, and troop support services. These services create the need for positive identification to prevent fraud and abuse.