Keeping your identity secure from fraud

Al Daheri's comments were made at the Security & Safety-Middle East Exhibition and Conference held in Abu Dhabi.

"The key to keeping a person's identity safe is the application of three different technologies in one card," Al Dhaheri said. "Smart cards, biometrics and Public Key Infrastructure when implemented together on the National ID Card can provide secure and accurate identity verification, enhance the security of the system and protect the integrity and confidentiality of information.'

"According to recent polls, over the past 15 years, more than 33 million Americans have complained that their identities have been misused by others either to obtain government or commercial services to commit fraud or to establish a new identity. The unapproved use of personal identities, especially over the internet, is by far the largest and fastest growing segment of the many criminal activities that constitute fraud in the US and other western countries,' he added.

As the population of the UAE grows the government is taking steps to ensure residents are carrying the latest, most comprehensive security system against fraud and identity theft in their purses and wallets. The Emirates ID Authority (EIDA) is now designing and testing the new ID Card system that will give all citizens and residents over 15 years of age the necessary protection from losing their identities to the acts of unscrupulous criminals.
Al Dhaheri said the technologies can be thought of as three simple concepts—
• 'Something you have': the possession of a Smart Card that has an integrated circuit or even a sophisticated computer chip and includes as many as 11 physical security layers included on the actual card such as micro text, ghost images, hidden writing, holograms and others.
• 'Something you are': an irrefutable means of proving your identity such as iris scan, facial scan or in the case of the UAE ID Card, finger prints that are unique to the cardholder.
• 'Something you know': a password that could be a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or perhaps a digital signature that is encrypted and only decipherable by you and EIDA. This allows electronic transactions to be carried out on levels that are significantly more sophisticated than any credit card or bank card now in circulation.

Al Dhaheri noted that each technology is not perfect in itself, but when properly designed and implemented as part of an integrated ID card system, they can provide secure and accurate identity verification, enhance the security of the system and protect the integrity and confidentiality of information. Forgery of the cards will be exceedingly difficult, if not virtually impossible at the current time, and the card security features will continue to be enhanced as the newest technology becomes available.

He said that the UAE is proud to be at the leading edge of ID card technology and the Population Register and ID Card Project will enhance the country's reputation as an innovator and user of the latest technologies for the betterment of the population.