The federal government is using RFID Micro-chips in ways that will impact your life
Pastor Dale Morgan
The federal government is using RFID Micro-chips in ways that will
impact your life*
By Doug Farry
Oct. 1, 2007—The U.S. government has been trying to tighten port and
border security without creating undue delays that hurt free trade and
damage the economy. RFID is a growing part of monitoring the flow of
cargo and people, including port employees and truck drivers. Regardless
of how you may be using RFID in your supply chain, if you move products
or people through U.S. ports or borders, you need to understand how the
federal government's use of the technology will impact your business.
First, let's look at cargo. The U.S. Congress wants more containers
inspected at ports to help prevent terrorists from sneaking weapons of
mass destruction into the country as cargo, and it is allocating
millions on port security grants. It is considering mandating the use of
RFID e-seals on cargo containers, which could prevent tampering and
allow customs agents to track their location. Several U.S.
ports—including Charleston, Norfolk, Oakland and Savannah—are deploying
RFID systems to increase the speed of moving containers from ship to
truck, a collaborative effort of industry with local, state and federal
governments.
The federal government could mandate that a specific RFID technology be
used at ports, so there are several issues you need to consider: Will it
conflict with your current supply-chain solution? Who will pay for the
RFID technology? Does your RFID vendor have SAFETY Act certification,
and will it protect you from legal risk (see Is Your Company At Risk)?
The United States and the European Union recently signed an agreement to
collaborate on policies governing the use of RFID, including the
development of interoperability standards at ports, airports and
borders. Will these RFID solutions streamline your transatlantic
business operations—or cripple your current global competitiveness?
Your employees will also be affected by new government RFID mandates,
because they will have to carry RFID ID cards—and these cards could
require mandatory background checks, a process some truck drivers and
port workers are wary of. All citizens of the United States, Canada and
Mexico will need a passport or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
(WHTI) card to enter or leave the United States. The WHTI card will have
an RFID Gen 2 tag; to address privacy concerns, it will come in a
protective sleeve, and the RFID chip will contain and transmit only a
unique ID number that links to a database with information about the
cardholder.
Port employees will carry a different RFID ID card, under the
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. How
personal information will be used in the TWIC program has not been
finalized.
While the government tries to balance the need for speed and security
with the interests of protecting privacy, is it addressing your needs?
There is still time to comment on these RFID initiatives and, perhaps,
offer alternative technology solutions.