Gemalto VP Testifies on Privacy and Security of Government IDs

  • Nov 20, 2007

Gemalto's vice president of business development and government affairs, Neville Pattinson, testified before the U.S. House Government Oversight Subcommittee on Government Management, urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and congress to make privacy and data security the highest priorities in identification programs such as REAL ID and the WHTI card. Pattinson also sought to explain to lawmakers the differences between insecure RFID tags and secure, microprocessor based and RF-enabled contactless smart card technology. The electronic passport and FIPS 201 Personal Identity Verification federal employee ID programs, two successful programs Pattinson held up as shining examples of getting it right, already use contactless smart card technology.

"The U.S. momentum to add digital security to government IDs and documents is fantastic, but to achieve their policy objectives lawmakers should select the most secure and proven technology," said Pattinson.

At issue is how well the RFID technology being considered for enhanced driver's licenses, REAL ID and the WHTI PASS card initiatives provides security and protects privacy for citizens.

"The digital security technology in an identity document or credential must be able to prove authenticity, protect its information and secure any communication. Secure contactless document technology meets these requirements, using an onboard computer and software to authenticate the credential, challenge other devices before providing information and encrypt any communication. RFID tags do not have any of these capabilities; they just do not compare to secure contactless personal devices," he said.

One strategy Pattinson proposed to lawmakers is to charter the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop standards for government issued identity cards. "NIST did an excellent job creating secure and privacy sensitive standards for the ID card that all federal employees are now getting, the PIV card. They can do an equally good job for us citizens. They understand the technologies and the issues, and would help to ensure these programs move in the right direction," said Pattinson.

Pattinson sits on the board of the Smart Card Alliance, chairs its Identity Council and was honored with an Outstanding Individual Award for his contributions to the industry last year. He is presently serving a three-year appointment as a special government employee to the Department of Homeland Security's "Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee."

Pattinson testified to congress on behalf of the Secure ID Coalition, an industry association of which Gemalto is a founding member.

Featured

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.