Thursby releases DoD-certified CAC software
updated 05:50 pm EST, Mon February 28, 2011
Simplified version of enterprise ADmitMac PKI
Government and military employees and contractors who need to access secure U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or civilian federal websites on a Mac - which usually requires a login with a Common Access Card (CAC) -- now have a simpler method of doing so. Thursby Software Systems has released PKard for Mac software. PKard is short for Public Key Card and pronounced P-card, and the software works with all current types of CACs and the hardware readers, including the next-generation "Oberthur" and "Gemalto" type cards.
PKard for Mac is a home/remote version of the company's enterprise-level ADmitMac PKI line of software, used by the US Army and other branches of the U.S. government to allow Macs full access to secured sites and networks. All that is required is a Mac running Leopard (10.5) or Snow Leopard (10.6), a valid CAC smart card, a CAC reader with the latest firmware, and internet access using Safari. The program uses Thursby's own Tokend "driver" technology, and allows easy installation taking less than a minute -- with specific choices for U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy and DoD.
PKard for Mac is priced at $30 on Thursby's online store.
