SCM Microsystems Announces CHIPDRIVE(R) IT Security Kit for New German ID Card

Millions of people around the world today put their personal information out onto the Internet. Whether it’s through online shopping or logging into a personal bank account, extremely important information is now floating around out there. Naturally, this has created an increase in identity theft and has increased the need for information to be better protected. This article from Market Watch, an entity of The Wall Street Journal, discusses the German government’s response to this problem. They have developed electronic ID cards that will be useful in stopping information theft via the Internet, among other things. These electronic ID cards will provide electronic proof of identity (eID), which protects information transported over the Internet. In order to utilize the eID feature of these smartcards, you need the CHIPDRIVE ID security kit. The government is also making these packages easily affordable to their citizens. The article stated that they would be sold for 24.95 Euros, starting in November 2010.

This article talks about a very new technology that will hopefully spread throughout the world and be incorporated into ID cards everywhere. I feel that this is a very important technology in helping people to get the most out of the internet by making it a more trusted environment that people feel safe using in their everyday lives. In my opinion, more people will utilize the Internet if they know their information is safe, and by increasing people’s use of the Internet, we are taking a step in the right direction because the Internet and technology in general is out future.

While I do think that this revolutionary technology will significantly improve the safety of the information of all members of the Internet community, I do feel that some people will eventually find their way around this firewall just like they have in the past. The article mentions that passwords and usernames are the “most widespread and easily attackable security method used for online transactions.” This technology would significantly improve online security simply by eliminating the need for usernames and passwords as the primary way of accessing information.

This article is a prime example of why information technology is so important. IT constantly has to be ahead of the curve and always changing and working toward something better. In the context of this article, the second this technology is released, people will be working on finding ways around it. It is a continuous cycle that may never end.

In addition to cutting down on identity theft and easily accessible information on the Internet, these German ID cards will do much more. They will make it much harder for people to procure false forms of identification, making the country safer. They will also allow information to be transported in a matter of seconds. Many countries around the world could benefit greatly from this information technology because it would cut down on the number of man hours spent processing information, as well as reduce terrorism. In conclusion, this technology has a lot to offer Germany, and the rest of the world, in terms of Internet and homeland security.

"SCM Microsystems Announces CHIPDRIVE(R) IT Security Kit for New German ID Card - MarketWatch." MarketWatch - Stock Market Quotes, Business News, Financial News. 26 Oct. 2010. Web. 29 Oct. 2010. .