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July 20, 2009 By Dan Lohrmann
After a revolt over cost, timelines and a host of other difficult issues, the original "Real ID" appears dead. Secretary Napolitano testified this past week on why changes were needed to create a new "PASS ID" which will be partially funded by the federal government. PASS ID stands for "Providing for Additional Security in States' Identification Act." Washingtontechnology.com described the differences in this plan.
Calling it " Real ID Version 2 ," new legislation was introduced into Congress which would modify the Real ID Act of 2005. Implementation details from the original Real ID were opposed by many Governors, the National Governor's Association and numerous privacy activists.
Here's an excerpt from a Govtech.com article describing the National Governor's Association (NGA) position on this topic:
The NGA said in a release that PASS ID Act recommendations supported by the NGA included:
But critics of PASS ID claim that this new "scaled back Real ID" won't solve many of our driver license fraud problems. The Washington Post reported:
"The new plan keeps elements of Real ID, such as requiring a digital photograph, signature and machine-readable features such as a bar code. States also will still need to verify applicants' identities and legal status by checking federal immigration, Social Security and State Department databases.
But it eliminates demands for new databases -- linked through a national data hub -- that would allow all states to store and cross-check such information, and a requirement that motor vehicle departments verify birth certificates with originating agencies, a bid to fight identity theft.
...'The new plan would still let people get licenses with fake documents,' said Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.), who authored the 2005 legislation."
It remains to be seen if these modifications to Real ID become law. However, with state governments in difficult budget situations, there is no doubt that PASS ID, with federal funding, is a welcome sight for most cash-strapped states. The chances are very good that a similar new approach (with some modifications) will become the driver's license standard that is implemented across America.
What are your thoughts on PASS ID?
Building effective virtual government requires new ideas and hard work. Security professionals need to be enablers of innovation. From helpful Internet training to defending cloud computing architectures to securing mobile devices, Dan Lohrmann will cover what's hot and what's not in protecting your corner of cyberspace.
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This is ridiculous. There already is a system and secure identity document in place and available: a U.S. passport. There is no need for a budget busting, "gee-whiz isn't technology great" re-engineering of license documents across the country. "But then I would have to carry TWO things: a driver license AND a passport." Boo-hoo. Get over yourselves. Maybe the overwhelming burden of carrying around what amounts to a pamphlet, will make people realize that tagging all citizens as such isn't such a grand idea, especially in a place that likes to refer to itself as a 'free society.'
Hello Sir, I read your post and I appreciate your coverage of this license topic. However, I am tired of these arguments supporting illegals. We need tougher standards, not easier ones. Why is it that whenever a helpful piece of legislation comes along, forces try to undue the good or water down the meaningful part? Thanks for your for blogs.