China Launches Automatic Fingerprint ID System

A database of up to 50 million fingerprints can now be housed in a new Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) recently deployed by Public Safety Authority in China’s Anhui Province to help reduce its criminal investigations. In partnership with NEC Corporations, the AFIS, the largest of its kind in China can help increase the hit rate on latent fingerprint inquiries by tenfold.

Akhir Bulan Ini e-KTP Diberlakukan

Adanya berbagai kendala sehingga e-KTP (Kartu Tanda Penduduk elektronik) di Kabupaten Kubu Raya ditargetkan diberlakukan sejak awal Agustus, diundur menjadi akhir bulan ini.

“Namun, kita telah melakukan berbagai persiapan, baik teknis maupun nonteknis untuk program e-KTP ini,” ungkap Kepala Dinas Kependudukan dan Catatan Sipil Kubu Raya, Lilik Kurniasi kepada wartawan, kemarin.

Menurutnya yang menjadi pemicu utama keterlambatan penerapan adalah keterlambatan kedatangan logistik dari kementerian. Sampai saat ini baru enam dari sembilan kecamatan di Kubu Raya yang sudah selesai pemasangan I-Sat (satelit untuk elektronik KTP) tersebut.

MEDIA INDONESIA : Petugas melakukan uji
coba scan mata
pembuatan Kartu Tanda Penduduk elektronik

(e-KTP) di kantor kelurahan Cikoko,

Pancoran, Jakarta Selatan, Senin (1/8).

MEDIA INDONESIA : Scan sidik jari

"Saat ini enam kecamatan sudah terpasang satelitnya dan di Kantor Dukcapil juga sudah terpasang. Sehingga, keterlambatan tersebut tidak terletak di sini, melainkan karena alatnya datang terlambat dari kementerian," tuturnya.



Dalam penerapan e-KTP, Kubu Raya termasuk sebagai salah satu kabupaten di Indonesia yang mendapat jatah pada gelombang pertama penerapan KTP elektronik tersebut.

Ia menerangkan, dalam pembuatan KTP nanti diperlukan banyak persyaratan, antara lain sidik jari, kemudian mata, foto dan lainnya yang secara teknis nantinya akan disosialisasikan kepada masyarakat oleh petugas kependudukan kecamatan dan juga desa. secara umum untuk tingkat eksekutif dan petugas kecamatan dan desa serta legislatif telah dilakukan sosialisasi beberapa waktu lalu.

Dia menegaskan, Disdukcapil akan berusaha keras menyukseskan program pembuatan KTP elektronik. Sebagai kabupaten baru, Kubu Raya telah dipercayakan pemerintah pusat untuk menerapkannya.

"Kalaupun dalam pelaksanaannya nanti terdapat kekurangan, tentu itu akan menjadi masukan bagi kita. Dan akan kita perbaiki secara bertahap," katanya sembari menargetkan 80 persen dari 500 ribu lebih jumlah penduduk sudah menggunakan KTP elektronik pada tahun ini.

Sementara untuk penerapannya, tiap kecamatan akan diberikan peralatan untuk pembuatan elektronik KTP tersebut, sehingga masyarakat yang akan membuat KTP elektronik itu tidak perlu lagi datang ke ibukota Kabupaten.

"Sistem pembuatannya seperti membuat SIM. Jadi masyarakat langsung datang ke kantor camat, mendaftar, dan langsung difoto di tempat serta dibubuhkan sidik jadi dan tanda tangannya di KTP itu," katanya.

Dari kecamatan, data masyarakat diinput langsung ke Dinas Dukcapil Kubu Raya dan diteruskan ke Dinas Dukcapil provinsi, dan seterusnya akan diinput pemerintah pusat. Sehingga KTP berlaku secara nasional. Masyarakat tidak bisa lagi membuat KTP ganda. “Keuntungan lainnya, data kependudukan akan lebih akurat," pungkasnya.

Sementara Bupati Muda Mahendrawan, mengharapkan penerapan e-KTP yang akan dilakukan akhir Agustus nanti dapat menangkal identitas ganda yang kerap terjadi di masyarakat. "Dengan adanya e-KTP, banyak problem yang akan terselesaikan. Jangan ada pembiaran karena kita pun juga akan ikut salah," ungkapnya.

Dia bersyukur Kubu Raya dipercaya masuk dalam gelombang pertama bersama dengan 97 dari 497 kabupaten/kota dalam penerapan e-KTP yang penerapannya selama 100 hari.

Ditargetkan tingkat keberhasilan untuk di Kubu Raya minimal 80 persen dari jumlah penduduk sudah memiliki KTP elektronik.

Muda, mengaku akan menemukan beberapa kendala dalam penerapan e-KTP karena kondisi geografis Kubu Raya yang terbilang relatif sulit, sebagai daerah perairan. Karena itu dibutuhkan kerja keras dari semua pihak.

"Saya akan turun dan kawal langsung program ini. Kita harus sukses dan dilakukan secara massive serta bekerja secara massal," tegasnya.

Apalagi ada sidik jari yang harus diambil. Karena itu penguatan pembuatan e-KTP tersebut akan dimulai dari RT, desa, camat dan instansi terkait mesti bekerja keras untuk mencapai target itu.

Meski demikian, Muda optimis jika itu terealisasi maka pembuatan KTP tidak lagi menunggu berhari-hari, namun melainkan hanya dalam hitungan jam sudah selesai.

Menurutnya, penerapan e-KTP tantangan bagi dirinya. Karena banyak effect domino yang bakal muncul ketika identitas tidak tertib. Apalagi telah melakukan kerja sama dengan Mendagri untuk pelaksanaan program nasional tersebut.

equator-news.com

Qatar Selects Gemalto Solution to Secure eGovernment Services

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, announces it has been selected by Qatar’s Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR), to deploy the Coesys eGov 2.0 solution for eGovernment in Qatar. Using Qatari citizens’ national eID card as a strong authentication token, the solution will boost usage and enhance access security of their national eGovernment services portal – the Hukoomi. Qatar plans to expand the existing service to integrate more than 50 eGovernment initiatives over the next years.

Qatari citizens, as well as residents holding an electronic identity document, will enjoy considerable ease of access to their national eGovernment services from the comfort of their homes, and perform administrative procedures such as visa application, commercial registration, electricity bill payment or health card renewal. In addition, users will be able to digitally sign official documents and forms on the web. Gemalto is also providing the associated services including software integration, training, support and maintenance.

The Gemalto solution requires no additional software installation by the end-user, they simply use their eID card as the single credential and a personal code to authenticate themselves. This pioneering technology allows web applications running in a standard web browser to seamlessly access a smart card connected to the user’s computer, thereby enhancing the security and usability of web applications. This also enables the Hukoomi portal to dynamically deploy and update its services in a transparent way for the citizens.

“Gemalto is a long-standing trusted partner with a strong presence in the Middle East and has a proven track record of eGovernment solutions all around the world,” commented Mohannad Oman Naim, Service Delivery Manager from ictQATAR. “The Coesys 2.0 solution is a key enabler to modernize our government services.”

“Building on the successful deployment of eID cards in Qatar, Gemalto is pleased to continue supporting the Qatari government to deliver new citizen-centric solutions,” added Hisham Surakhi Sales Director Middle East Government Programs at Gemalto. “Qatar is a pioneering country spearheading the eGovernment services of tomorrow, with convenience and security which open more access to eGovernment services for a greater number of citizens.”

businesswire.com

Britons to get 'smart' passports

A new breed of "smart" passports containing detailed personal information would require tight security to be successful, a civil rights group warned today.

Soon all UK passports will
bear chips with biometric data- BBC

The chief executive of the UK Passport Service said Britons could be using passports with information stored on microchips within four years.

Bernard Herdan told the weekly magazine Computing that his plans would fit well with Home Secretary David Blunkett's proposals for a compulsory national identity card, indicating the two projects could be merged to create multi-purpose passports.

But Liberty said the Government would have to ensure the data, such as fingerprints or benefit entitlements, was not misused.

Liberty's Mark Littlewood said he had serious concerns about the Government building up such a detailed data base of personal information on the population.

"The crucial thing is the safeguards they will put in place to ensure this information is kept secure and not abused for any reason," he said.

"The authorities in general have a pretty shoddy record on keeping data secure, so we have concerns about them creating a data base of these proportions.

Liberty also expressed concern over the reasons behind proposals to increase change the way people's personal information is held.

"It's worrying that they also keep chopping and changing the precise reasons for introducing the scheme," said Mr Littlewood.

"Last April, they were saying it was to speed up check-ins at airports, then after September 11 it was to fight terrorism and now it's to help prevent identity fraud."

The "biometric" cards, each with an ultra-slim microchip, could hold digital images of the holder's face, as well scans of the iris of their eye and a full set of fingerprints.

New biometric passports will
contain a security chip

Scanning stations could be set up at post offices or other designated centres, Mr Herdan said.

"This is about allowing people to assert their own identity, preventing fraud and stopping identity theft. This is not about Big Brother," he told the magazine.

"This would allow us to link a person's identity to a biometric such as an iris scan, facial recognition or a fingerprint.

"That would be a big step, but many countries are considering it."

The chief executive added that the smart card would supplement the paper version for the foreseeable future because many countries rely on stamps at border control.

Mr Blunkett announced earlier this month that there would be a consultation about so-called "entitlement cards" - his new phrase for a compulsory national ID card - which would carry detail about the State services each holder was entitled to use, such as the NHS, social security and education.

The technology is already being used for asylum seekers, who have been issued with biometric cards since January 31.

Computer chips embedded in the cards carry details of each refugee's family members, nationality, date of birth, the languages they speak and several serial numbers.

The cost of introducing a national ID card is an estimated £1 billion, so the Treasury would be keen to see Mr Blunkett's proposal merged with passports to save spending cash on two identical cards for each member of the population.

Mr Herdan said: "That's the direction we are going in and it chimes with the entitlement card.

"Our advice is that if you want a very secure identity, a database linked to a biometric system is the way to go, but it's up to the Government to decide."

Any cards would be based on probably two of the three types of identification techniques, the magazine reported.

Mr Herdan said he wants the new system introduced by 2006 but the UKPS has not decided if it will phase it in in stages or move straight to the biometric model.

Mr Blunkett wants an ID card to crack down on illegal workers by spotting social security scams, income tax dodgers and illegal immigrant workers.

It would also help cut identity fraud, such as credit card crime.

The Home Secretary is due to publish a consultation paper on entitlement cards in the spring or summer.

There has also been speculation that the entitlement cards could also double as a driving licence, carrying electronic details of endorsements, to replace the current paper system which costs £55 million a year to run.

dailymail.co.uk

‘Unique ID card should include medical data’

"The Union government's Biometrics Unique Social Identification card should also include basic medical data of an individual. This will help doctors to treat emergency cases better, without wasting any time during the crucial golden hour, especially in accidents and trauma cases," said Shailesh Niyogi, board director, Lokmanya Hospitals.

Niyogi was speaking during a panel discussion on "The Impact of IT revolution on healthcare" at the 2nd Annual Healthcare Expansion Summit India, organised in Goa on June 2 and June 3. The panel included experts from Hinduja Healthcare, Raheja Hospital and Fortis Healthcare.

"Transformation and growth of healthcare industry can happen with the support of IT. India has become a superpower in the software industry and can also become super power in medical industry and medical tourism. In order to reach there, it is very important that we add lot of value in terms of implementation of maintaining E-medical record systems (EMR)", Niyogi said.

EMR not only help in maintaining records in organised way for future references, but also reduces cost and saves time, resulting in better patient care, he added.

While discussing implications of cloud computing (which refers to the on-demand provision of computational resources data, software etc on internet) for the healthcare sector, and the role cloud computing can play in providing a unified portal for healthcare provider, Niyogi said, "Revolution in IT in terms of cloud computing will make treatment cheaper and faster. IT will help improve efficiency of the hospital for patients delight, starting from admission to rehabilitation, in his normal life."

"However, healthcare industry should not forget that automation and transformation should not lose the human interface with patient," he added.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Iris Scanning Set To Secure City in Mexico, Then the World

GRI's eye scanning devices are set to launch in Mexico.
You can bet they'll be coming to you, soon.

The million-plus citizens of Leon, Mexico are set to become the first example of a city secured through the power of biometric identification. Iris and face scanning technologies from Global Rainmakers, Inc. will allow people to use their eyes to prove their identify, withdraw money from an ATM, get help at a hospital, and even ride the bus.

GRI’s eye scanning systems aren’t more secure than others on the market, but they are faster. Large archway detectors using infrared imaging can pick out 50 people per minute, even as they hustle by at speeds up to 1.5 meters per second (3.3 mph). The first phase of the Leon iris and face scanning project has already begun. It is estimated to cost around $5 million and focuses on law enforcement agencies’ security check points. Over the next three years commercial uses will be rolled out with banks leading the charge. Check out the videos below to see GRI’s wide range of iris scanning stations in action. Whether you’re jealous or intimidated by Leon’s adoption of widespread eye identification you should pay attention to the project – similar biometric checkpoints are coming to locations near you. Some are already in place.

When it comes to biometric identification, fingerprints are the most widespread and trusted technology. Yet they only contain a few dozen data points to link to your ID. Irises, in contrast, have around 2000 points of reference – enough to uniquely identify every person on Earth. Many companies have developed the means to take an iris scan and use these reference points to match them quickly to a database of scans. The problem has typically been that getting the image of the iris itself is slow and requires people to come very close to the scanning device. GRI has focused on improving the iris acquisition side of the technology, increasing the speed and range of their devices. Not only that, but they are bringing the costs down. A 30 person per minute device (the HBox Mini) costs around $48,000. Yet smaller devices, ones suitable for ATMs or desktop computers are falling below $2000. As they become faster and more affordable, the adoption of iris scanners is seemingly becoming more inevitable as well.

Here’s a demo of the larger devices from GRI. Notice that masks and sunglasses are generally not going to deter a scan:




The HBox V provides rapid access to restricted areas for those in cars at a rate around 12 people per minute.


Smaller devices like the EyeSwipe and EyeSwipe Mini could work for secured locations in an office. According to Fast Company, this scale of iris scanning tech is in place in Bank of America’s headquarters in Charlotte.





The HCam would provide a means of iris identification for computers and ATMs.


My apologies for showing so many different videos of GRI technology but I wanted to give you an idea of how completely the company has encompassed the application space for iris and face scanning. From large foot trafficked areas, to automobiles, to home use they’ve got it covered. They don’t have a handheld portable scanner that I’ve seen…but give them time and they’ll probably develop that as well.

This makes me believe GRI’s implementation in Leon is eventually going to exceed anything we’ve seen before. Every other means of access (license, credit card, keys, etc) has the potential of being augmented or replaced by iris and face scanning. Get on a bus, pass security on the way into work, pay for a meal, order packages online – all without using anything besides your eye. The Leon project could make this futuristic world appear in just 3 to 5 years. That’s incredible.

We have to put this in a larger context, too. India just launched its enormous effort to digitally identify more than a billion residents using fingerprints, face, and iris scans. Japan already uses finger scans during entry into the country. The EU is working on a variety of passive scanning technologies to help secure airports and other public spaces.

To some these emerging applications must seem like the sign of a privacy apocalypse. Government and commercial institutions will endeavor to create enormous shared databases of biometric data and scan huge numbers of private citizens everywhere they go. The first phase of the project in Leon is going to help track the movements of ‘watch-listed individuals’. Rapid scanning face and iris scanning technologies will redefine our sense of privacy in ways that make Big Brother seem like a little sissy.

Jeff Carter, chief business development officer of GRI, didn’t make any of this sound less threatening in his interview with Fast Company’s Austin Carr:

“…we’ve even worked with three-letter agencies on technology that can capture 30-plus feet away. In certain spaces, eventually, you’ll be able to have maybe one sensor the size of a dime, in the ceiling, and it would acquire all of our irises in motion, at a distance, hundreds–probably thousands as computer power continues to increase–at a time.”

“…If you’ve been convicted of a crime, in essence, this will act as a digital scarlet letter. If you’re a known shoplifter, for example, you won’t be able to go into a store without being flagged. For others, boarding a plane will be impossible.”

For commercial applications it’s just as incredible:

“Right now, we can determine how many eyeballs are on a Web page. And what you look at and click. For the first time, we can do that in a physical world. If you look at this or that advertisement, and then go purchase the product advertised, we can tie those two things together.”

“When you get masses of people opting-in, opting out does not help. Opting out actually puts more of a flag on you than just being part of the system. We believe everyone will opt-in.”

Does that vision sound ominous to you? It does to me, and I’m pretty biometric friendly. Yet I’m also fairly cynical. People already have a pretty good handle on my information. Google reads all my emails, albeit in an anonymous way. My bank knows most everything I buy, ditto for credit card companies. As Carter points out, I already deal with these commercial trackers every day. And I’ve opted into these systems. I could pay for everything with cash, but I find the convenience of plastic too great to ignore. While I’m worried about being verbally assaulted by billboards that try to identify me, they’re going to arrive whether I want them to or not.

Rather than fight the advent of biometrics, I’d rather focus on controlling how such data is used. We can pressure governments to insure that people are not unjustly placed on watch-lists. We can require businesses to divorce our identities from collected data to make advertisements anonymous even as they are personalized. We can limit who can use these technologies, and how, even as we accept that they will be widely adopted in the future. Now is the time, as the first cities test the feasibility of biometric ID systems, to ensure that they will be used to benefit rather than restrict the individual. The crucial moment to guide the path of this emergent technology has arrived. Blink and you could miss it.

[image credits: Austin Carr/Fast Company]
[video credits: Global Rainmakers Inc]
[source: GRI, Fast Company]

/singularityhub.com