The new generation of ID cards will be purely contactless, and will store personal data and biometric information such as fingerprints on a digital chip embedded in the card. The IDs can be used as conventional IDs, providing sophisticated visual and electronic proof of identity, but will also allow citizens to carry out transactions with the government electronically, saving time and effort.
The contactless system will also provide faster data transfer rates while card reading, useful especially for the large number of people who use their IDs in regular travel between Macau, Hong Kong, and China, as the processing time for travellers will significantly reduce. The new national ID card will also support contactless electronic signatures.
A security protocol developed by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security will be used to ensure the security of data on the cards and during contactless transactions. Named PACE (Password Authenticated Connection Establishment), the protocol will create a secure connection between the chip in the card and a card reader, and encrypt data before the transfer.
The contract for the manufacture and delivery of the cards was awarded to Munich-based technology company, Giesecke & Devrient. In addition to development and manufacture of the cards, G&D will develop the required smartcard applications and modify the existing infrastructure according to the needs of the new technology.
The government will also receive an advanced operation system platform for smartcards, which will be ready to support additional features in the future, such as contactless payment. The new set of ID cards is expected to be introduced in October 2013.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Sumedha Jalote
Quelle/Source: futureGov, 02.04.2013
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