The growing global demand for security, technological advancements and e-government is driving smart-card solutions. The guiding principles seek to ensure that citizens have easier access to government and private-sector services. The microchip is globally regarded to be very secure, hence the move towards chip-based IDs and passports that are readable in more than one country and are a secure means to identify people presenting themselves anywhere, including ports of entry.
Inevitably, when SA turns towards the smart ID card, it would also have to introduce the e-passport, using the same technological infrastructure and database. The e-passport is approved and favoured by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and other international bodies.
Given global security concerns between and within countries, the certain identification of people has become important. Countries realise that one form of biometric identification is not enough, as is the case with the current nonsmart documents that use only facial recognition for verification. It is now preferred that the face must be used along with fingerprint and/or iris identification. Smart-card technology enables a fast and reliable way to verify whether a person is who they claim to be. This is because it has three levels of security: the simple visual check, offline verification and online verification.
The growth in e-government in many countries is fast leading to smart solutions for the provision of government services, for the convenience of citizens. This means that in addition to producing a smart ID card, many countries — Malaysia, China and Finland among others — have multipurpose cards, which can be used for identification, electronic signature, access to government services, banking, credit, telephone, transport and club services. The obvious effect is convenience for citizens and improvement in e-government solutions.
The smart ID card provides a platform for government departments to add their own applications.
We will follow a phased approach to the introduction of other applications when the smart ID card is launched next year, though some applications may be introduced instantly if they are ready.
Some people have raised the concern that the smart card will be inappropriate in a country where there are still high numbers of people who are illiterate. This, of course, supposes that to be illiterate is to be stupid. The fact that illiterate people use bank and other cards seems to be forgotten. Whether we introduce the smart ID card now or wait until we have achieved full literacy, we eventually have make this move. In fact, the green ID book, the passport and government and private-sector services are paper-based and thus inconvenient for the illiterate, whereas the smart ID card and the e-passport will reduce tedious paperwork for citizens. They will make access to government services by illiterate people more convenient.
Concerns raised by the financial sector are largely irrelevant because the smart ID card will be more secure and convenient than a bank’s automated teller machine cards, and increasing numbers of countries are either already using or intend to use smart ID cards for banking purposes.
The introduction of the smart ID card will bring about economies of scale. We have to develop and acquire the technological infrastructure and the skills to be able to meet the requirements of the smart ID card. And, once this technology is in place, we can develop it to suit our needs.
Autor: Malusi Gigaba
Quelle: Business Day, 20.05.2005
