I don't know if you've been following the story on Real ID, the Department of Homeland Security's controversial plan for the first national ID system. I've been watching it, especially with neighboring states like Maine already rejecting the bill and Massachusetts considering it. In all, 38 states are in the process of passing legislation against this bill, according to an article in eWeek.
I have to tell you - I find it incredible that the Department of Homeland Security is behind this bill. First, the track record of the Federal Government demonstrating strong information security practices is...not good. Remember the small problem the VA had with 26.5 million veterans records? How about those sterling FISMA grades?
This biggest flaw with this act, which managed to get pushed through without a single hearing, is what a huge target it is for identity thieves. Apparently I'm not alone in that opinion, as other analysts are starting to speak up. One of the fastest growing targets for these thieves are state Departments of Motor Vehicles - and there's 50 of them! What happens when all that data is in one place?
You've created the Perfect Storm of data insecurity - the Federal Government managing a single database containing an entire country's personal information.
Who came up with this idea again, Homeland SECURITY?
Comments