Schneier on security's 'people problems'
May 02, 2006
Tom Espiner
ZDNet UK
Q The UK government claims identity theft will be cut by the upcoming UK ID card scheme. Will it actually mitigate the threat?
ID cards will make identity theft worse. I'm not sure what they are supposed to solve. Having a single ID is much more dangerous [than multiple IDs]. The risks are severe, as it makes ID much more valuable. Identity theft is fraud due to impersonation, and a centralised ID card is that much more valuable to criminals.
Identity can be hijacked, and cards can be faked. All of the 9/11 terrorists had fake IDs, yet they still got on the planes. If the British national ID card can't be faked, it will be the first on the planet. A national ID card is so costly and gives so little in return -- it's just a bad deal.
ZDNet UK
Q The UK government claims identity theft will be cut by the upcoming UK ID card scheme. Will it actually mitigate the threat?
ID cards will make identity theft worse. I'm not sure what they are supposed to solve. Having a single ID is much more dangerous [than multiple IDs]. The risks are severe, as it makes ID much more valuable. Identity theft is fraud due to impersonation, and a centralised ID card is that much more valuable to criminals.
Identity can be hijacked, and cards can be faked. All of the 9/11 terrorists had fake IDs, yet they still got on the planes. If the British national ID card can't be faked, it will be the first on the planet. A national ID card is so costly and gives so little in return -- it's just a bad deal.