12 Security Guidelines from SIA

SIA - the Security Industry Association released its draft of a 12- point Privacy Framework for identity information security this week. Read more on this important plan here

One of the points in the framework is "Implementing privacy-enhancing solutions during the design phase of products, when possible."

A simple, low tech way to do just this is the use of an RFID shielded badge holder for personal ID cards that are RFID enabled. As many government employees are carrying a PIV, and CAC as their primary form of photo identification, these shielded badge holders protect the person's valuable private data that  can be encoded on the card's RFID chip.


Read more on protecting your card with RFID shielded secure badge holders here.

ID Card for Workers is at Center of Immigration Plan

From the Wall Street Journal -Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have introduced an immigration reform bill that creates a system that aims to preventing U.S. companies from hiring illegal immigrants. Under the system, all legal U.S. workers would be issued an ID card embedded with biometric information like fingerprints or scans of the veins in the tops of their hands. When workers go to apply for a job, the cards would be scanned by the employer using a $700-$800 machine. Small employers unable to afford the cost of the scanners could instead choose to take applicants to a government office to have their hands scanned, Schumer said. Schumer and Graham's plan calls for the cards to be phased in. Workers who have jobs now would not be required to obtain the card until they leave their current position. In addition, industries that typically rely on illegal workers would be required to check the cards first, with other industries to follow later. The system is being criticized by privacy advocates like the American Civil Liberties Union, which says that the cards could become national ID cards that the government could use to track citizens. However, Graham says that the system would simply make current forms of identification, such as Social Security cards, tamper-proof.

We say: A few years ago some people thought biometric technology would replace ID cards. At that time we thought physical verification would not go away. This has become evident with the increased use of multi-technology cards.

"How does it feel?"

Hey, even Bob gets asked for a photo ID every now and again. Looks like some of the kids need to dig a little deeper into the D section of their iTunes libraries. Read the AP story here.

Our favorite quotes from the story:

Police: "...what are you doing here?"
Dylan: "I'm on tour."

Thankfully everyone was apparently cooperative and the whole thing ended up a nonevent. Can you feel the love? We can. Mr Dylan will no doubt get a song or two out of it.
For the rest of us less socially-recognizeable citizens, keep on carrying that ID. It helps the good guys do their jobs more easily.

Half Card Holder

As the year winds down we are hard at work on catalog updates with easy-to-use pricing. There are several new accessories that we developed this year that will be part of our 2009 offerings. We'll be showing a few of them to you in the next several weeks.

One new product is a hard plastic vertical or horizontal half card holder. Both models securely hold a 30 mil credit card size ID. The clear plastic allows for viewing card, but the smooth front also allows for a custom imprint. The horizontal model is designed to allow the user to swipe the card through most magnetic stripe or barcode readers without removing the card from the holder.

As usual, samples are FREE.

How far we have come.

Our friends and partner at Digital Imaging Solutions will soon release this desktop high security ID card printer with retransfer and laser engraving technology. How big is this? It is like comparing an old IBM mainframe computer that filled a large room to a modern desktop PC that has many more times processing capability.

I was in a meeting this morning and it was pointed out that combined we had over 100 years of ID card making experience in the room from our company. It reminded me of how labor intensive and unsecured photo ID cards were back in the day. Today we can make a card faster, for less money, many times more secure, and with a number of intelligent technologies on-board. Yes, we have come some distance.

New Wristband Printer from Zebra

Zebra’s reliable HC100 Wristband Printing Solution makes wristband issuing easier and more cost-effective than laser solutions.

This solution combines the reliable HC100 direct thermal printer with easy-to-load cartridges containing the industry's only antimicrobial-coated wristbands—Zebra’s Z-Band® wristbands.

Minimal training! Pop the wristband cartridge into the HC100 printer—print individual wristbands on demand. Compare these two simple steps with laser printing, which often requires staff to load forms into a special tray, print labels, apply a label to the band, and fold a laminate over the band.

The HC100 printer automatically detects the loaded wristband size and automatically calibrates its settings for optimal print quality. Print names, bar codes, even monochrome images at the click of the mouse.

We Say: Zebra designed these with hospitals in mind, but schools are also finding these wristbands useful for visitors, sporting events, tardy ID, field trips, and more.

Available for purchase here!

ID Cards Keep Kids Safer - for Free

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  Kids need photo ID in the case that they are missing and a recent photo is not available. I would guess grandparents would be the first source of such pictures (insatiable photo-consumers in my experience) but what about the personal data? I think this is a great service and I'd like to see more community organizations and Police Departments taking part in programs like this around the country.
• As a parent, would you want / allow a fingerprint and photo to be stored on police record for the child?
• Would you take advantage of this service?
  
• If so, would you be willing to pay for it?

Thanks to the local police in Syracuse, you don't have to. Syracuse Police are issuing photo ID cards to all children in the area as part of their "SafeKids" program. This program allows parents to get two printed copies of a photo ID card with their child's picture and data, at no charge.

Way to go SPD! Keep up the good work.