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Publications – RF / RFID

• Best Practices for the Use of RF-Enabled Technology in Identity Management
  The Smart Card Alliance Identity Council developed this statement and FAQ to describe the industry position regarding recommended security and privacy best practices when using RF-enabled technology for identity management and to position RF-enabled contactless smart cards vs. RFID tags. Download report. View full executive summary.

• The Consequences to Citizen Privacy and National Security in Adopting RFID Technology for Border Crossing Identity Documents
  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is incorporating radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in several border crossing documents that will be used to verify the identity of citizens re-entering the United States. The Smart Card Alliance Identity Council developed this white paper to discuss the security, privacy and operational issues with using RFID in human identification systems. The paper provides an overview of the use of RFID for supply chain applications, describes how RFID is proposed to be used in the DHS program, identifies key vulnerabilities with RFID systems that could be exploited, and proposes an alternative secure smart card-based solution for these border crossing identity programs. Download report. View full executive summary.

• ePassport Frequently Asked Questions
  The new electronic passports (ePassports) include digital and physical security technologies that are integrated together to provide significantly higher levels of security. ePassports use advanced technologies that secure identities and new processes throughout the entire chain of trust – from manufacturing to use of the ePassport. This frequently asked questions (FAQ) document was developed by the Smart Card Alliance Identity Council to answer questions about how the ePassport works and what technology is used to protect an ePassport holder’s personal information. Download FAQ. View document.

• EPC Gen 2 RFID Tags vs. Contactless Smart Cards: Frequently Asked Questions
  The Identity Council developed this frequently asked questions document to discuss the differences between EPC Gen 2 RFID tags and contactless smart cards. The FAQ has a specific focus on how each technology supports security. Download FAQ. View full FAQ.

• Privacy, Identity, and the Use of RFID and RF-Enabled Smart Card Technology – A Smart Card Alliance Brief for State and Local Governments.
  State policy makers are looking carefully at the use of RFID technology in identity cards and the implications that holds for protecting privacy and personal information in identity applications and systems. This brief was developed by the Smart Card Alliance Identity Council to examine best practices for privacy-secure identity systems from the point of view of card technologies. Download brief. View document.

• Questions and Answers about the Proposed Use of RFID for U.S. Border Crossing Documents
  The Identity Council developed this Q&A document to accompany the white paper, “The Consequences to Citizen Privacy and National Security in Adopting RFID Technology for Border Crossing Identity Documents.” Download report.

• RF-Enabled Applications and Technology: Comparing and Contrasting RFID and RF-Enabled Smart Cards
  This Smart Card Alliance white paper compares RFID technology and RF-enabled smart cards and describes key requirements in RF-enabled applications. Download white paper. View full executive summary.

• Smart Card Alliance Response to WHTI Passport Card Federal Register Notice
  The Identity Council developed and submitted a response to the Department of State Federal Register notice, “Card Format Passport; Changes to Passport Fee Schedule,” Docket ID DOS-2006-0329. This notice announced the DHS and Department of State plan to use “vicinity read” RFID technology compliant with ISO/IEC 18000-6 Part C instead of contactless smart card technology for the proposed passport card. Download response. View full executive summary.

• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative PASS Card: Recommendations for Using Secure Contactless Technology vs. RFID
  The Identity Council developed this position paper to provide support for the use of ISO/IEC 14443-based technology for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative PASS card system and to recommend a technology trial to evaluate the performance of both EPC Gen 2 and ISO/IEC 14443-based technologies before DHS makes a final implementation decision. Download position paper. View full executive summary.