Federal Ruling Gives States Power to Set Higher Standards for REAL ID Driver's License, Says Smart Card Alliance
Adding Chip Technology Would Pave the Way for Secure, Efficient Online E-Government Services for States
Jan. 14, 2008 07:58 PM
PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/14/08 -- In its final ruling on minimum
security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification
cards last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security left the door
open for states to decide for themselves if they want to set higher
standards for secure REAL ID driver's licenses and e-government services.
"Imagine the impact a state could have on protecting citizens' identities
and improving government services if every driver's license they issued was
capable of strongly authenticating online and in-person transactions," said
Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. "That
opportunity is before states now as they define their REAL ID plan to
comply with the federal standard, which includes only minimum technology
requirements since it faced significant opposition from some states due to
costs."
"Smart Card Technology: The Right Choice for REAL ID," a new brief issued
by the Smart Card Alliance, explains the benefits that smart card
technology can bring to states for improved security and cost-efficiency in
the delivery of state-operated programs. Smart card technology, which is
required for all federal employee identification cards, provides added
identity fraud and privacy protection by supporting PINs, biometrics and
encryption of sensitive data on the credential and during communication
with a reader. A state-issued driver's license enhanced with this chip
technology would enable strong authentication for e-government
applications, giving citizens secure, cost-effective and convenient access
to services such as electronic filing of forms and online identity proofing
for licenses and registrations. In addition, it would reduce fraud and
administration costs for state benefits programs.
States can choose to incorporate such e-government services by
chip-enabling its official "state ID" and combining these services with the
REAL ID driver's license. These services can both generate cost savings
and establish potentially new revenue sources.
"States have a golden opportunity to leverage the federal funding available
for REAL ID implementation and, by adding a few additional dollars per
license, both meet the federal guidelines and provide immense benefits to
citizens and the state for the future," concluded Vanderhoof.
The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for-profit, multi-industry association
working to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread
application of smart card technology.
Through specific projects such as education programs, market research,
advocacy, industry relations and open forums, the Alliance keeps its
members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance
is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion
on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S. and Latin America. For
more information please visit http://www.smartcardalliance.org.
Media Contact:
Deb Montner
Montner & Associates
203-226-9290 dmontner@montner.com
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