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RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CALGUARD PORTAL
Common Access Card (CAC) Purchase Information
With the recent DOD policy changes concerning use of CAC Cards from home personal computers, the demand for CAC Card Readers has been greatly increased.
Calguard recommends viewing CAC Reader product comparisons at CDW.com to assist you with your purchase.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUTLOOK WEB ACCESS USERS:
Effective 1 June 2007, DoD directives require two-factor authentication (DoD Common Access Card and PIN) to access email using Outlook Web Access (OWA or “WebMail). For security reasons, OWA will no longer be available using traditional usernames and passwords.
To ensure you are ready for this new procedure, OWA users should take the following actions NOW:
1) Obtain a CAC (Military ID Card) and verify that you remember your PIN. To reset your PIN, go to any DEERS/RAPIDS site. For a list of sites, click here: http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home
2) Purchase a CAC-reader for home use. Several low-cost CAC readers are available from local computer hardware stores such as CompUSA, Fry’s, Best Buy, Staples, etc.
3) Go to the AKO CAC Resource Center (click here to view pdf) and follow the step-by-step instructions for downloading and installing CAC reader software (“middleware”) for your home computer. This software is available at no cost to you.
4) Follow the AKO instructions for registering and logging in to AKO using your CAC. Once you can successfully log in to AKO *FROM YOUR HOME COMPUTER* you are ready to access the CNG’s WebMail (OWA) on June 1st.
