Stating the case for Big Brother

Cast your mind back to last September, a time when the Government saw fit to promote the possibility of compulsory national identification (ID) cards for all of us here in UK plc. Seen as an immediate response to the terror attacks on the US, there was much rumbling in Westminster about cutting across fundamental civil liberties.

Why? Potentially, it could allow people from the ethnic minorities, for example, to be singled out by the police in a return of the 'sus laws' – the stop-and-search powers that opponents claimed were predominantly used against blacks. There's also an argument to suggest that if terrorists can forge passports then they can forge ID cards. But could they?

If such a scheme were to be introduced – and there certainly seems to be a willingness on the part of the Home Secretary to do so – what would be the likely cost and timing implications? And how might such a system work in practice?

Capture, manufacture and input
The identity card process will comprise four parts – capturing or collecting the data, manufacturing cards in a secure environment, inputting personal data on each card and making every card completely secure. This may sound like a considerable undertaking and indeed it is, but other countries have implemented similar schemes and all the technologies involved are already in use.

Advances in technology have now made it possible to store up to 264 kilobytes of information on a silicon chip that's smaller than a fingernail. Two decades ago, you'd have needed a computer to store the same amount.

At present, there are 47.7 million people aged 16 or over in the UK. We'd expect something in the region of a 15% ongoing annual turnover to account for those reaching 16 years of age, immigration, mortality and cards that have been lost or stolen.

On that basis, it would probably take 12 months to implement such a scheme, preceded by a three-month accreditation process.

Production and delivery costs would probably work out at around £10 per card. A phased introduction programme – with cards delivered region by region – would be recommended to minimise distribution costs.

As stated, much has been made of the perceived threat to individual liberty presented by a system of national identity cards. While we wouldn't wish to question the validity of such concerns, there is also a danger that we might overlook some of the considerable benefits. Properly implemented, a personal card system would restore a measure of control to individuals about information held on them by others. It would provide such people with access to data which is effectively barred by cost or time considerations.

Cardholders will be able to access their personal files online using smart card readers. The cards would be invaluable to those wishing to access their own individual files, kept either by Government departments or perhaps credit reference agencies.

Personal cards are a modern, increasingly widely-accepted form of universal security validation, and as such offer considerable net benefits that will be welcomed by many as concerns rise over security-related crime

There's no doubt that personal cards are a modern, increasingly widely-accepted form of universal security validation, and as such offer considerable net benefits that will be welcomed by many as concerns rise over security-related crime – whether in business transactions, access to buildings or in the wider society.

Proven 'secure' walls
The identity card system would involve a series of proven secure 'walls' in the chip on the card separating information groups dedicated (for example) to international travel, where it could serve as a passport, health and social security card.

In practice, the card would feature the bearer's photograph, fingerprint image and a personal, computer-readable barcode. Though less secure than encrypted data (ie information on a chip), these are useful for spot checks. For example, in the US an individual cannot cash cheques or use a credit card without photo id.

Personal data would include name, date and place of birth, a record of the bearer's DNA and his or her educational/professional qualifications (useful for hospital security). DNA is the most complex and therefore accurate means of identification known, yet the information required for encryption can be obtained by a simple oral swab.

The cards themselves could be verified by the police or Customs and Immigration officers, if necessary using mobile devices based on GSM networks.

Health details would include name of doctor, blood group, allergies and next of kin. Your National Identity Number, social security data and a tax reference number would be included.

There would also be provision for an electronic purse for health and education benefits (such as learning credits), as well as a digital version of your photograph and fingerprints. The security involved makes the risk of interception minimal – cards are rendered useless as any would-be thief could not adopt the identity of the rightful bearer.

Like other transaction system manufacturers, we're a signatory to ISO 9001, an internationally-accepted Code of Practice setting bank-style security standards. Indeed, the rigorous methods adopted by all who adhere to this standard make the misuse of information extremely unlikely.