A fundamental shift in the national identity credential environment is giving a new face to government identity programs.
by Craig Sandness*
Global trends leading to a widespread shift from traditional identity credentials to electronic identity credentials (eIDs) are imperatives to provide effective defenses against large-scale counterfeiting attempts, while adopting diverse and holistic approaches in current projects.
In a bid to integrate efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness into multitasking electronic identity credentials, which perform far more functions than just serving as identification, the electronic identity credential industry faces enormous challenges. However, the impetus to move identity programs to an advanced and new level shows no signs of slowing down.
Heightened security concerns, high traffic at border crossings, and growing requirements for agile government service delivery are just some of the factors influencing this shift. Governments and national organizations are now increasing their preference for identification programs as an opportunity to increase efficiency, as well as to protect and secure user identity.
This has led to the emergence of projects for the application of multipurpose identity credentials that operate at different levels, maintaining the highest level of security, while covering additional objectives such as safe entry into facilities, faster border crossing or access to social and health services.
By 2015, 85% of all credentials issued per year will be electronic identity credentials (eIDs) and the countries that will issue them will exceed the use of additional identity credentials by four times. This is according to a recent report by the firm Acuity Market Intelligence.
These statistics emphasize our own findings based on more than 20 years of experience in the most important government identity projects focused on citizenship, including 28 e-passport programs and 49 electronic identity credential programs ranging from the national level, to foreign resident programs, identification of health services for workers and vehicle registration programs.
Government agencies around the world are prescribing applications enabled for intelligent credentials and documents based on IC processors in order to achieve their goals. The industry is responding with technological innovation: the demand for digital identity credential technology and scientific advances in materials have led to substantial progress in credential manufacturing, resulting in the emergence of multi-technology eID solutions that can better meet the requirements of each program, such as security, reliability, efficiency and the multiple functionalities delivered within a single credential.
Multifunctionality and Durability: Are they incompatible?
The cross-functional credential is becoming the norm, which means that end-to-end anti-counterfeiting and fraud prevention program implementation and integration expertise is now the priority of government identity program requirements. This is vital to eliminate the problems of technological interoperability, post-issuance problems of credentials, system updates, longevity of credentials, which can generate cost overruns.
But while the concept of a multifunctional, long-lasting credential is simple, in reality it can be a difficult thing to come by. Considerable design and extensive technical and manufacturing expertise must be employed to ensure that the end result meets international standards in terms of size, safety, operability and durability. The ability to update credentials without the need for a new issue has led to a strong industry debate about the viability of card programs intended to last ten years or more.
Built to last
An important factor of identity credentials is durability. Modern identity documents must be ready to withstand stress, different types of attempts at physical alteration, carelessness in handling, as well as the most adverse weather conditions. Due to its unique properties, polycarbonate has earned the trust of governments as the material of choice for its durability and tamper-resistantness.
Credentials built with polycarbonate are stronger than those made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Its main features include the extreme robustness, flexibility and strength of polycarbonate and its capabilities are ideal as a support platform for very high quality optical features and high security printing.
The use of this material, the incorporation of multiple technologies and security features within a single multi-layer identity platform requires considerable experience in laminating complex structures and the appropriate application of various materials. The industry has now found that the addition of technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) or contact or non-contact processors can create unexpected pressure on polycarbonate structures.
This has led to the creation of new and innovative technologies, in which HID Global is a pioneer, such as patented crack prevention technology that protects the structural integrity of the credential, while complying with international standards. Innovations like this help make use of polycarbonate to deliver on the electronic identity credential industry's promise to offer a lifespan of up to 10 years.
Such advances are vital in the long run. Hybrid credential programs are making great strides among government customers. Multifunctional credentials power a combination of different technologies including contactless and non-contact processors, RFID antennas, biometrics and optical variable equipment to deliver the required levels of functionality and security.
Layered hybrid solutions are used in programs such as the U.S. Green Card, Germany's national identity card, the multitasking credential used by the "carabinieri," Italy's national police, and Saudi Arabia's national identity credential. These credentials perform various tasks including access control, proof of identity, identification for health services and government payments, such as taxes.
Post-issue updates
Much of the debate about the return on investment of electronic identification programs revolves around the initial cost of the project versus the return on investment, which calculates not only according to the functionality, but also the life cycle of the card. Given the many variables that affect the life of credentials, the ability to apply updates after card issuance is a vital factor in program design and budget allocation. Why pay for a card that will be exchanged for a new one every twelve months?
In such scenarios, intelligent credentials, such as those based on processors or optical security media, are deployed as part of an end-to-end management system. The subsequent issuance of electronic credential management systems (such as HID's national identity credential, ActivID CMS) allows for updates that can be made after the credential has been issued. In response to events such as change of postal address or marital status, user data can be adjusted.
These systems also provide the ability to update credential information through new applications and services that are now available. The system can even manage the renewal of a public key infrastructure (PKI) that certifies the digital proof of identity of the credential bearer. Such systems give governments the ability to ensure the evolution of their programs even when the credential is in the hands of citizens and designed to operate remotely, centrally or through interaction with services of other agencies.
Optical security media (OSM) deserves special mention as the only technology capable of performing flexible and secure updates after the issuance of credentials. As has been proven in developments such as the American Green Card, OSMs can be combined with most commonly used reading machine technologies, such as barcodes, optical character recognition, contact processors, non-contact processors, RFID tags and magnetic stripes.
The high data storage capacity of OSMs allows the secure encryption of more than 2.8 Mbytes of digital information, allowing the user to have additional storage in digital and biometric data. The information contained in the magnetic stripe cannot be altered illegally, but can be updated by authorized sources with access to databases of government agencies without the need to replace the credential.
The realities about the documents of 10 years of validity.
The shift from traditional identity credentials to digital credentials, the integration of one or more technologies within smart credentials, and industry innovation about physical durability are all combining for tomorrow's future-proof credential. The challenges of longevity and updating advanced documents are being addressed with solutions such as integrated storage capacity for personal data, integration with central databases to maintain the flow of information, including updates after the issuance of the credential and improving the physical structure to ensure longevity.
Integration, Functionality and Flexibility
In our view, the next five years will see a new focus on improving the functionality of multi-technology credentials, increasing integration into card design, distribution systems, post-issue capabilities, and innovation in credential manufacturing. These and other factors will turn the concept of intelligent credentials lasting ten years into the reality of tomorrow.
*Craig Sandness is The Vice President of Government ID Solutions at HID Global
