Government ID, Smart Cards, Identification and Authentication

Biometric smart card for Social Security proposed

Thursday, February 14, 2008

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) is proposing a new Social Security card that would be based on the same technology the U.S. Department of Defense uses for the Common Access Card.

The new Social Security card would have a photo, magnetic stripe, bar code and microprocessor chip that would contain users biometric. Exactly how individuals would obtain the card and which biometric would be stored on it were not specified.


Kirk is proposing the legislation and high-tech ID to help prevent identity theft. The card would also enable employers to validate the Social Security number.

The legislation would require anyone older than 15 to obtain a new card. It’s estimated that the new card would cost almost $8 each, compared to the 50 cents they now cost.

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The U.S. Social Security Administration contracted with Experian to add fraud prevention services for secure authentication to access the new online Social Security Statement.

The new online Social Security Statement provides Social Security earnings and benefit information, as well as estimates to help people plan for retirement. It also gives estimates for disability and survivors benefits. With the online statement, users can see whether their earnings are accurately posted to their Social Security records.

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A high school in Tarpon Springs, Fla. recently sent out a mass email bearing student Social Security numbers. The school’s guidance counselor sent the email to Tarpon’s entire senior class of about 400 students and parents regarding the Bright Futures Scholarship program.

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Social Security numbers and credit card information of 2,818 users of a University of Maine computer server may have fallen into the hands of hackers, according to university officials.

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The April meeting of the influential Government Smart Card Interagency Advisory Board (IAB) was recently held in Washington D.C. FIPS201.com was on hand to cover the event and has provided, as a service to the IAB and the smart card community, an audio recording of the presentations. Click on the link below to access a list of audio and accompanying PowerPoint slides (in pdf format).

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A new report created by the Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Law & Social Policy at UC Berkeley School of Law predicts a price tag of at least $40 billion for a mandatory biometric employment verification card for all U.S. workers that would utilize either fingerprint or fingervein scans.

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Key Source International announced GSA approval for it’s biometric keyboard and stand-alone biometric pod. KSI products are approved under FIPS 201 for Federal Employees and civilian contractors.

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