Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

California RFID Day Dreaming

By Bill Zalud
August 1, 2005
A California Assembly bill targets the use of contactless and RFID identification documents.
It’s called the Identity Information Protection Act of 2005. It’s a California State Assembly bill. And it’s working its way to the “Govanator’s” desk.

The aim of the legislation is to set in place certain requirements for identification documents using contactless integrated circuit or other radio wave approaches created or issued by California-based public entities. It would also set punishments for a person or organization that knowingly or willfully remotely reads or attempts to read the ID without the person’s permission.

The act fits into the state’s right of privacy that’s itself part of the California Constitution. It also plays off the growing identity theft concern roiling through the state and country.

The author of Senate Bill 682, Joe Simitian, believes that more than 43,000 Californians reported being victims of identity theft in 2004. He feels that there are current and future threats from bad folks or out-of-control government officials who would intercept and misuse personal information flying from an identification document to a reader. It is important to also note that analysis of past and current national identity theft incidents shows that most are really old-fashioned credit card events.

If signed into law as it now exists, the act would cover California driver’s licenses and ID cards; ID cards for government employees and contractors; ID cards issued by state educational institutions; health insurance and benefits cards; and even library cards.

It also requires shield devices, unique identifier numbers, encryption and mutual authentication, among other protections.

It is no surprise that electronics and security industry leaders are working with the California Assembly concerning further amendments to the bill as well as educating legislators to the advantages and protections inherent in contactless and RFID approaches. There also is no doubt that the California action could influence other states, especially those with privacy rights included in their state constitutions.

According to Holly Sacks of HID, Irvine, Calif., security and technology firms in the state have been working to educate about the misconceptions and erroneous information about the use of contactless and RFID technologies. “Legislating against technology is not useful. Legislating against misuse of technology is appropriate,” she told the Zalud Report.

Also playing an education role related to SB 682, AeA, formerly the American Electronics Association. The group is a nationwide non-profit trade association that represents all segments of the technology industry.

At the time of the writing of this Zalud Report, it is unclear as to the final destination of SB 682.

But the discussion mirrors a national debate between crime prevention and privacy rights. States and schools need to better identify folks coming into their facilities and into their networks. The U.S. government needs to better identify people entering the country. Law enforcement and home security officials see a valid need to view and review security video images from cameras at seaports, in airports and even on city streets.

Most U.S. citizens are reassured when seeing electronic security in action.

“Big Brother” still is a powerful phrase, of course. But in today’s world of terrorism, identity theft and child molestation, among other threats, it’s as obvious that most folks – excepting some legislators and media talking heads – look at security as more essential than privacy. And that the proper application of security, in fact, can better provide privacy protection.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Zalud 2016 200px

Bill was the editor emeritus of Security Magazine, and he can be reached at (773) 929-6859.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity Education & Training
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Red spiderweb

From Retail to Insurance, Scattered Spider Changes Targets

blurry multicolored text on black screen

PowerSchool Education Technology Company Announces Data Breach

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

What do zebras, school groups and high-tech surveillance have in common? They're all part of a day’s work for the security team at the Toledo Zoo.

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Day Dreaming: What’s This World Coming To?

    See More
  • Passengers purchase the RFID bag tags which provide convenience and unique services for passengers as well as operations data for airlines.

    Just How Versatile is RFID Technology?

    See More
  • RFID: The 'Almost Everything' Tool

    RFID: The 'Almost Everything' Tool

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • school security.jpg

    School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing