Picture Perfect
Using photo ID cards as smart cards
is an emerging trend as the technology
becomes more prevalent and affordable.
The following article appeared in the August, 1999 issue of Security Products magazine.
"Wizardry" might be the best single word to describe the new photo ID card that utilizes the technology of an integrated circuit chip embedded within to create a multifunctional smart card. A miracle of camouflaged complexity, the photo smart card could ultimately prove to be the magic bullet in the information age. Perhaps all the commotion is merely a signal that after years of enchantment with their potential, smart cards have finally arrived. This notion that, "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," is an idea first explored by Arthur C. Clarke in his book, The Lost Worlds of 2001. Regardless of the intrigue, as the ultimate repository for personal data, the smart card has finally made the transition from being considered a new technology to a legitimate business tool.
In the months ahead, photo smart cards are poised to go well beyond the typical applications of ID verification, security access, authentication for network security, loyalty programs and transactions such as on-line banking with debit and credit features. These miniature sandwiches of plastic and silicon are on the brink of bringing about a revolution in the way we conduct our daily lives.
The Future is Now
Areas where photo smart cards have already gained a major foothold are on college campuses, hospital grounds and high-security government compounds. Admittedly, controlling smart card technology in a closed environment is relatively easy, but many settings in the public or private sector could benefit from the technology. The academic community has been uncharacteristically bold in its quest to implement the promising functions that exist. Just one year ago, Dustin Parker, manager of card services at Pepperdine University, mapped out a plan to upgrade not just security and network access on campus, but everything from food services and vending machines to library copies and laundry facilities.
Now fully operational, the new technology has been well received and has been labeled by students and faculty alike as an "unqualified success." Parker stated, "There are enough standards in place now, that even if the technology changes, nobody is going to get hurt bad." However, he also admits, "The first thing I do every morning is look at the new smart card Web pages to see what advancements or changes happened in the last 24 hours." Such is the magic of technology.
Meanwhile, students on the Malibu, Calif. campus use their photo smart cards to quickly document their chapel attendance with a bar code scanner, gain access to buildings with the help of mag stripe readers, and electronically transact business via contact smart chip devices.
The Advantages
Colleges and universities across the country are only the flash point for expansion. The reasons why photo smart cards are destined to become a part of your life are many. Here are just a few obvious arguments - They offer a quick, easy and personal way to verify the identity of a user.
- They are more secure and durable than magnetic stripe cards and more difficult to tamper with than bar code cards.
- They can store more data and physically separate the data into a multipartition file system, so that many applications can safely run on a single card.
- They can control who has access to files on the card as well as in a computer network.
- They can carry unlimited monetary value. The electronic manipulation of the card can add or subtract value.
- They can store biometrics for complete security.
- They can be designed with their own levels of cryptographic algorithms.
- They offer the flexibility of inexpensive read-only capabilities to the elaborate mini-laptop reprogrammability of a chip.
- They can accommodate and upgrade all current technologies in piggy back fashion instead of replacing the standard 39 bar code or the three-track, high energy stripe systems.
- They can carry a photo, text, mag stripe, bar code and embedded computer chip all on one standard-sized card.
The Obstacles
According to a recent research report from SJB Research, the smart card business has been growing at the rate of 50 percent per year and will issue a projected 2 billion cards to new users this year alone. With the entry of Microsoft's Window Card and the continued development of Java Card and MultOS as operating systems, it's no longer a question of "Will the smart card be a success?" The only unknown is how long it will take. Even though the prospects for the photo smart card are bright, a number of obstacles still must be overcome.
Cost.
The cost of photo smart cards has dropped precipitately in the past year, but at $3.00 to $20.00 per card, they are still at least ten times more expensive than magnetic or bar code cards.
Interoperability.
Since the ability to read all types of cards is a must, the lack of platform standards within the industry restricts growth in the market. Fortunately, structured query language (SQL) is the only database model, and there are only two options for retrieval - Java database connectivity (JDBC) and open database connectivity (ODBC).
Planning.
The needs assessment, selection and implementation of a photo smart card system require a coordinated effort that involves top management, users and others who will maintain the system. Decisions about which practical applications to start with are critical. Usually this process requires expert product and service consultants and skilled systems integrators.
Education.
As the late Carl Sagan observed several years ago, "We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology." Consequently, a continuous program of instruction and awareness is necessary to properly engage a photo smart card program and maintain the level of morale that supports continued use. This is an ongoing expense to consider, but as Derek Bok said, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."
Privacy.
With all the personal information that can be stored on a card and the ability of contact and contactless readers to track consumer activity, many Americans fear that the photo smart card is actually the high-tech stand-in for Big Brother. To meet the demands for the high levels of security, developers are working on perfecting cards with cryptoprocessors to offer public key encryption.
The Simple Truth
Challenges not withstanding, the emergence of digital imaging has simplified the entire process of issuing photo smart cards. Users need a digital camera, a PC with software that coordinates all activity and a badge printer.
The variable ID data, computer-based photo, personal data and selected applications can be permanently stored in the system for future re-issues and updates, More importantly, this multifunctional data can be shared by all systems with no need to re-enter information. Advanced modules can be added as needed or as technology develops.
Following several years of thoughtful extermination, the bugs are few. In fact, at the source of every error that is blamed on a photo smart card system, you will usually find at least two human errors, including the error of blaming it on the photo smart card system. It certainly is not a system without flaws, but in the warp speed world of technological change, the photo smart card is rapidly approaching a bullet proof status. Some have even called it "picture perfect." For more information, click here or call 800-233-0298. |
