Secure Identity Framework
CSIR engineers a secure identity framework towards the development of the SMART ID card in South Africa
Responding to its objective to conduct research, development and innovation that supports the development of a capable state, the CSIR collaborated with the Department of Home Affairs to design and develop a secure identity framework that enabled the department to issue South Africans with a new Smart ID card embedded with security features aimed at significantly reducing potential forgery.
“This innovation is characterised by a multiapplication contactless card that securely stores the biographic and biometric data of the applicant during the personalisation and printing of the card,” explains CSIR information security expert, Samuel Lefophane. The secure identity framework enables identification, verification and authentication for e-government and e-commerce services, thus allowing the transition of government services from manual to digital.
The Smart ID card was adopted to reduce fraudulent activities that were prevalent in the era of the green ID book. Its development also presented benefits for both the public and private sectors, as they are now able to conduct identity verification for their customers employing improved and more reliable processes. The functionalities that are embedded in the Smart ID card are aligned with international standards, taking into consideration the unique needs of South Africa.
Some of the institutions that are likely to benefit from this CSIR technology within the private and public sectors are the Department of Health, Department of Community Safety, the South African Social Security Agency, the Traffic Department, Statistics South Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission, banks, insurance companies and many more.
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CSIR engineers a secure identity framework towards the development of the SMART ID card in South Africa
Responding to its objective to conduct research, development and innovation that supports the development of a capable state, the CSIR collaborated with the Department of Home Affairs to design and develop a secure identity framework that enabled the department to issue South Africans with a new Smart ID card embedded with security features aimed at significantly reducing potential forgery.
“This innovation is characterised by a multiapplication contactless card that securely stores the biographic and biometric data of the applicant during the personalisation and printing of the card,” explains CSIR information security expert, Samuel Lefophane. The secure identity framework enables identification, verification and authentication for e-government and e-commerce services, thus allowing the transition of government services from manual to digital.
The Smart ID card was adopted to reduce fraudulent activities that were prevalent in the era of the green ID book. Its development also presented benefits for both the public and private sectors, as they are now able to conduct identity verification for their customers employing improved and more reliable processes. The functionalities that are embedded in the Smart ID card are aligned with international standards, taking into consideration the unique needs of South Africa.
Some of the institutions that are likely to benefit from this CSIR technology within the private and public sectors are the Department of Health, Department of Community Safety, the South African Social Security Agency, the Traffic Department, Statistics South Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission, banks, insurance companies and many more.
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Lefophane’s research interest and expertise are in identity authentication, with a special focus on automatic identification and data capture technologies, embedded systems, Internet of Things and sensor node development.
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FAQ
Q: What other areas of the public and private sectors can benefit from the CSIR’s secure identity framework to enhance service delivery to South Africans?
A: From a public services delivery perspective, the Department of Transport, specifically the licensing department can benefit from the features offered by the Smart ID. The Independent Electoral Commission, Department of Health and the Retail Sector would also benefit from incorporating this framework into their systems to allow for seamless identification of individuals, linking their various data.
Q: Does the CSIR plan to collaborate with Department of Home Affairs to develop a Smart Passport in order create a more capable boarder control system?
A: The CSIR supports government and industry in responding to digital identity challenges, cyber threats and risks.
Q: Aside from the banking sector, in which ways can other financial institutions leverage off this technology to upgrade digital security in their operations?
A: By employing an improved and secure identity process, various financial institutions (e.g., Insurance companies) can conduct reliable identity verification and authentication for their customers.
Q: Is this framework suitable for the digital communication industry and compatible with mobile cell phones, tablets and other gadgets?
A: Yes, the CSIR supports collaboration where research and innovation of home-grown identity management; cyber and information security solutions and approaches to securely identify, protect people and systems against vulnerabilities, threats and risks is realised. The communication industry can certainly benefit from this capability.