Information for CAC and PIV card holders
All SCB Solutions smart card readers have been fully tested and are compatible with CAC and PIV cards.
1. Install your smart card reader
- Plug the reader into your computer.
- Follow the operating system's prompts, if any.
- That's it - the driver installs automatically. On USB readers a green light confirms the driver is installed and running.
The driver doesn't show a smart card icon in the system tray: that comes with the CAC/PIV middleware (step 2). In rare cases the computer doesn't recognize the reader - get the driver from its manufacturer on ourSupport page.
2. Get the CAC/PIV middleware
Your CAC or PIV card identifies and authenticates you. To use it on your computer you need a piece of software called the CAC/PIV card middleware: it connects the certificates on your card to your browser, email and VPN for login, signing and encryption.
On government computers, your IT support provides the middleware. For CAC cards, only the local command can decide to provide it for home (non-government) computers; if it does, the installation's IT office (DOIM) provides the software. Contact your local Director of Information Management or IT support about your installation's licenses.
No middleware license from your organization?
HID ActivClient, the primary middleware for DoD CAC authentication, is available here as a download right after purchase:
Using a CAC on a Mac
macOS needs CAC/PIV middleware to use a CAC or PIV card. If your organization did not provide it,ActivClient for macOS works with CAC and PIV cards. Some versions of macOS include partial built-in support for CAC cards - depending on your card and macOS version you may not need extra middleware.
Still need help?
For questions or setup problems with your reader, send us a message. For more tips from the military community, seeMilitaryCAC.com (opens in a new tab)by Michael J. Danberry.