HID Global has announced that its Fargo HDP5000-LC ID card printer/encoder is now formally certified as FIPS 201 compliant by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). This certification means that organizations and government agencies can use the HDP5000-LC printer to meet the government-wide standard for ID cards for all federal employees and contractors. This standard was mandated by the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12.

Since the FIPS 201 standard went into affect, multiple federal agencies have integrated Fargo’s HDP card printing technology into their operations, and now that the technology is GSA certified, others will surely follow. The Fargo HDP5000-LC uses a high definition printing process, which is the preferred technology for producing high-security ID cards with embedded electronics. This makes the printer ideal for government agencies that must issue technology-based ID cards, such as proximity cards and smart cards, to workers and contractors.