Which memorandum is designed to force implementation of HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification criteria along with M05-24, M06-06, M-06-18, M08-01 and M11-11?

• A. M-04-04 E-Authentication Guidance for Federal Agencies
• B. M-06-15 Safeguarding PII
• C. M-07-16 Privacy and Privacy Reporting
• D. M-03-19

Answer: (A)

Understanding this item starts with how federal identity and access are governed. HSPD-12 sets the requirement for sturdy Personal Identity Verification for access to federal facilities and systems, and agencies need a consistent approach to electronic authentication to implement that standard.

The memorandum titled E-Authentication Guidance for Federal Agencies provides the framework that agencies must follow to verify identities electronically and to use PIV credentials as the basis for access to federal information systems and facilities. It directs the adoption of PIV-based authentication and aligns with related directives, including the ones listed in the question, to create a cohesive, government-wide approach to identity and access management. That is why it’s the best choice here.

The other memoranda focus on privacy protections and handling of personal data rather than mandating a PIV-based authentication framework aligned with HSPD-12. While important, they do not mandate the PIV/identity verification approach in the same integrated way.