Step One toward a National ID

This is part of some federal programs that have been underway for several years, mostly below the radar — at least this is the first I have heard of it despite being an avid reader of tech publications. But apparently a lot of people have been working on this — some of the relevant Web sites and information sources are listed below.

The Federal Cloud Credential Exchange (FCCX) is designed to enable individuals to securely access online services —such as health benefits, student loan information, and retirement benefit information—at multiple federal agencies without the need to use a different password or other digital identification for each service. The first federal agency to use it will be the Veterans Administration.

www.forbes.com...#!

Many government agencies are moving toward multi-factor authentication methods for logical access control/employee logins. It was only a matter of time before they implemented some sort of secure login for consumers, as well.

For those who don't know what multi-factor authentication is.... It is a method of computer security to authenticate you are really who you say you are because you have some physical token (smart card ID (usually with a contact chip), key fob, etc...) combined with something you know (PIN, password, software token, etc...). Multi-factor authentication is harder to hack (although it can be done).

Of course, there will be lawsuits challenging such a requirement so we shall see who ultimately wins....

The mark of the beast, one less reason to be concerned about voter ID laws, government finally has the tool it needs to gain complete control of its subjects. Good points and bad. Mostly bad.

Not secure. If there is a computer system anywhere then there is an access code or key to grant access. Engineers debugging and officers need access no matter where they are . If it has a code key, then it is hackable.

There is no fooling Biometrics as far as personal access is concerned. And even that is still hackable.

I was at some store the other day that required a re-ring. I observed the store manager place their thumbprint on a reader on top of the flat screen monitor the cashier used . Each item in turn was authorized by pressing the thumb on the reader. The reader was quick. They were all authorized in a few seconds with the reader reading the managers thumbprint in a second or so for each item.

reply to post by intrptr


Biometrics has a lot of issues in its own right.

As for multi factor not being secure... It can be hacked although it takes more time and technology to do so. However, as you alluded, it is unnecessary to hack it if they can simply sneak in the back door. Hackers have many ways to access a network or database.

The purpose of this plan is to remove the username and password technology which is very easily overcome by hackers these days. The intentions are good which is why the potential for what this means is so slippery.

Double post