Passport measures must not compromise privacy
Passport measures must not compromise privacy
Increasing vigilance at passport controls and the impending requirement that Australian passports be machine-readable has highlighted the need for Australia to rethink the crucial issues surrounding privacy. According to the Australian IT Security Forum if we get it wrong the information held about our citizens will be susceptible to misuse.
This whole subject will be brought into the spotlight when the Federal Privacy Commissioner Malcolm Crompton makes his keynote farewell address in Sydney on 30th March as his 5 year term at the commission draws to a close in April. Crompton will be speaking at an industry luncheon to be attended by key government and industry leaders.
The United States mandate for machine-readable passports comes into effect on 22 October 2004, with many other countries set to follow their lead. As many Australians travel and will be using passports adhering to these new regulations, this opens up the debate on identity management in Australia, on our Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and who owns the identity and the data that is collected.
Robert Jackson, Chairman of the Australian It Security Forum, said "Stronger identity management is an essential part of preventing identity fraud, and even eliminating spam. It is also vital for e-business, e-health, and the provision of enhanced government services to an aging population.
"Australia is at the forefront of development in "smart" technology and applications for its citizens and consumers. Unfortunately, as a nation, Australia is not adopting a cohesive approach to the applications, underlying technologies and their consequences on the individual’s privacy. Australia simply cannot afford to wait around to see what others are doing. We must take a balanced and informed, leadership stance now."
In his address, the Commissioner will discuss the dangers that the community, business and government face in getting privacy wrong when developing identity management solutions. He’ll look at the technological solutions that are a vital in getting the privacy issue right, as well as exploring some of the thought processes that need to be changed, and highlight how the right answers can be found in technology, law and accountability processes.
The Australian IT Security Forum next month will launch a new cross-industry Focus Group on Identity Management, to help foster collaboration and agreement in this vital area.
Stephen Wilson, AITSF Board Member and leader of the new focus group, commented: "Australia has always been at the cutting edge of security and identity management. We have rolled out some of the largest most sophisticated authentication systems in the world for secure electronic services delivery. But now it’s time to draw all our practical experience together, into a policy and technology framework, before the national imperatives and international security agendas swamp all of us."
"It’s critical that all stakeholders be full engaged in the debate," added Jackson. "The occasion of Commissioner Crompton’s address is a crucial stepping stone in that process."
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