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25/02/04

Intellect says, "ICT Industry Will Deliver ID Cards"

Intellect, the trade association for the UK hi-tech industry, has spoken out in support of the UK technology industry, and its ability to meet the technological challenges created by proposals to introduce a national ID Card scheme.

Giving evidence to the Home Office and the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday, Intellect also took the opportunity to constructively argue the case for early supplier involvement in the delivery of a national ID Card Scheme. Stating that success will only be achieved if government continues to maintain its open dialogue with industry and engages suppliers effectively.

This is something, which the Home Office, to its credit, has already undertaken, and something which Intellect continues to welcome and encourage.

Speaking at the Select Committee Intellect also warned the Government of the risks of engaging in an isolated ID card scheme, and recommended that steps be taken to ensure that the proposed project contains long-term objectives to integrate the initiative with other Government programmes such as the NHS IT Strategy.

Intellect's Director General, John Higgins comments, "Intellect members and the wider UK technology industry (suppliers of cards, security technologies and integration services) have the ability to meet the technological challenges created by the Government's ID Card proposals. However, it will only be through open dialogue with all interested stakeholders that the right technical solutions will be developed and subsequently implemented."

In its evidence Intellect argued the case for Government proposals which address the twin perspectives of citizens (citizen/consumer and citizen/taxpayer) and focus especially on citizen centric needs, including:

• The value of the card to citizens – these need to be tangible and compelling;
• The trust of citizens in government – this must be earned and safeguarded;
• The security of personal data – the integrity of the programme depends on this; and
• The openness and visibility of government intentions – to overcome negative perceptions

Intellect also highlighted that more information is needed if the ICT industry is to meet the expectations of politicians and citizens alike. This includes:

• The manufacture, issuing and delivery of cards.
• If the option of a single, central database is chosen to store biometric data, will anti-terrorism measures be employed to protect such a sensitive asset?
• Further details on the instances where ID will be checked, for what purpose, and how long it is estimated it will take to establish these?
• How will the personal ID cards of those individuals who disappear from their domestic/work situation be treated? Will cards be operational for those not considered officially dead – i.e. those missing for less than the required period of time to be considered dead.

John Higgins concluded, "this is the beginning of the process, but it is already clear that success will only be achieved if open dialogue with industry is maintained. Only through a comprehensive understanding of the industry, its capacity and its capabilities will the Government be in a position to develop an ID card scheme capable of delivering on its promises to citizens."

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