Criticality of Credentialing: Verifying Government Employee Identities

Identity theft is a growing concern for governments, businesses and citizens alike. "We're in the middle of a national identity crisis," says Neville Pattinson, VP of Government Affairs & Standards, NA., Gemalto. In an exclusive interview, Pattinson discusses: The case for credentialing; Practical applications of credentialing in the government and healthcare industries - and how other industries can benefit; Good first steps toward secure, effective solutions. Pattinson is a leading expert on smart cards and using the microprocessor chip to keep identity credential data and biometrics secure and private. Pattinson has been heavily involved in planning and implementing a number of federal government security initiatives including the Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC); the State Department's electronic passport; the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative cards; the Department of Transportation's Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) and the Transportation Security Administration's Registered Traveler program. Pattinson works closely with the General Services Administration, Treasury, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and NASA, which all have smart ID programs underway.