Some background, : http://news.com.com/faq+how+real+id+will+affect+you/2100-1028_3-5697111.html
--"What's going to be stored on this ID card?
At a minimum: name, birth date, sex, ID number, a digital photograph, address, and a "common machine-readable technology" that Homeland Security will decide on. The card must also sport "physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or duplication of the document for fraudulent purposes."
Homeland Security is permitted to add additional requirements--such as a fingerprint or retinal scan (and even RFID). We won't know for a while what these additional requirements will be."
..."The Real ID Act says federally accepted ID cards must be "machine readable," and lets Homeland Security determine the details. That could end up being a magnetic strip, enhanced bar code, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chips.
In the past, Homeland Security has indicated it likes the concept of RFID chips. The State Department is already going to be embedding RFID devices in passports, and Homeland Security wants to issue RFID-outfitted IDs to foreign visitors who enter the country at the Mexican and Canadian borders."
States are being left hanging wondering just what is required (similar to States tying to understand HAVA voting system requirements) :
"Lack of information stymies ID plans ...here's just one example (and don't forget the Coalition formed to "educate" states ...see last item below)
© July 15, 2006
A state panel has begun efforts to improve security of driver's licenses and identification cards but is stonewalled because the federal government has yet to issue regulations for the congressionally mandated Real ID Act, passed more than a year ago.
"We don't know what's going to be required," said Lisa Wallmeyer, a staff member of the Virginia Joint Commission on Technology and Science"
Also groups are forming to pressure States to adopt their technology... sure sounds like the way the machines were "pushed" example: http://www.secureidnews.com/news/2006/07/19/smart-cards-can-protect-privacy-strengthen-security-for-drivers-licenses-says-alliance/
Smart Card Alliance formed to "help" states in decisions ... boy, doesn't that sounds familiar!
"
Smart cards can protect privacy, strengthen security for driver's licenses, says alliance
Wednesday, July 19 2006
Promoting the security and reliability of smart cards, the Smart Card Alliance is urging states to consider using this technology when it comes time to issue new driver's licenses to comply with the Real ID Act. To back up this premise, the alliance has issued a white paper, available as a free download, titled "Why Real ID Cards Should Be Based on Smart Card Identification Technology,"
PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ -- State governments should strongly consider using smart card technology to comply with the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act, the Smart Card Alliance Identity Council states in a new position paper. The reason: smart cards are highly secure, privacy-sensitive and reliable, advantages that have been proven in numerous existing ID programs worldwide.
"Considering all of the requirements of the REAL ID Act, and the importance of protecting our country from terrorist acts, smart cards represent the most realistic, proven and reliable technology for verifying the identity of individuals while also protecting their vital personal information," said Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance. "We created this position paper to set down in one place all of the advantages smart card technology would bring to the states issuing driver's licenses to comply with the REAL ID Act."
"The REAL ID Act of 2005 stipulates that federal agencies cannot accept a driver's license or any other state-issued card for identification purposes after May 11, 2008, unless the state meets the requirements of the Act. These include verification of supporting documentation for ID issuance, use of a common machine-readable technology in the IDs and use of physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting or duplication for fraudulent purposes. To meet these goals, smart cards have a number of advantages over other ID and authentication technologies, such as magnetic stripe, printed bar code, optical, or radio frequency identification.
...Membership in the Smart Card Alliance includes a wide range of identity technology providers and end users from all industry segments. Organizations contributing to this position paper include: Gemalto, Identification Technology Partners, Integrated Engineering, nCryptone, Philips Semiconductors, Saflink, Texas Instruments, Viisage, Unisys and Visa Canada"
REAL ID is REAL Danger ... and we are asleep and 2008 closing fast. What is your state doing?
Mary Ann Gould
Coalition for Voting Integrity
http://www.coalitionforvotingintegrity.com/
