 | Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Issue 824 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is a study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, which found that consumers don't realize RFID cards and documents can be read without their knowledge or from more than a few inches away.
Asset tracking solutions provider I.D. Systems has acquired PowerKey for $500,000. PowerKey is a division of International Electronics, Inc. that manufactures keyless vehicle access systems to facilitate fleet management. "We believe this will make I.D. Systems a powerful 'one-stop shop' that can address the needs of virtually any industrial fleet," I.D. Systems' executive Peter Fausel was quoted in the announcement.
Lastly, RFID solutions provider Intelleflex has partnered with MINDS, a provider of solutions for road paving projects. Together the companies will enable track-and-trace of hot mix asphalt from production to paving. More details in the announcement. |
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| RFID Tags & Labels | | - Confidence in RFID - Confidex tags and tickets (site) | | | RTLS & Active RFID | | 
Sponsored by Ekahau | |
| | - Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how! (site) | | | Products & Services | | - PCB Tracking & Visibility Solution from Omnitrol Networks (site) | | - Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers (site) | | | Upcoming Events | | - AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL (site) | | - AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China (site) | | - European Supply Chain & Logistics, 13-15 May, Germany (site) | | - SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China (site) | | | Employment | | - RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting (site) | | | Research & Whitepapers | | - RFID Marketing Strategies Report (site) | |
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Study: Consumers Misunderstand RFID and Its Security
By John Burnell
Consumers have misunderstandings about how RFID works and the security issues related to the technology, according to a new paper from researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. The report, Where's The Beep?: Security, Privacy, and User Misunderstandings of RFID, says most users of RFID-enabled passports, transit passes, and credit cards do not realize these items can be read without their knowledge or from more than a few inches away. Users also tend to think RFID cards and documents contain more personal information than is actually encoded.
The study was undertaken to gain insight as to how well users of common RFID cards and documents understand how the technology works, and how the knowledge level impacts user comprehension of the privacy and security risks associated with RFID. Researchers Jennifer King and Andrew McDiarmid interviewed nine users of RFID-enabled fare cards, credit cards, and passports after identifying them through a written survey. The research was sponsored by Team for Research in Ubiquitous Secure Technology (TRUST), an organization focused on cyber security science and technology issues. The authors plan to conduct a follow-up study with more participants. They plan to drop transit cards from the follow-up because the cards do not carry personal information.
Major findings of this study included:- Most subjects thought direct line-of-sight was necessary for an RFID reader to access data on a chip.
- All subjects were accustomed to getting visible or audio feedback that their card or document had been read.
- Most subjects were unaware that RFID chips could be read without providing feedback.
- Most subjects were unaware that RFID chips could be read without their consent or knowledge.
- The subjects use RFID systems where the chips were encoded with only a unique ID number that serves as a reference for information held in secure databases. However, many of them thought their name, Social Security number, and other personal information was encoded in the chip.
- Issuing organizations provide little information about the security provisions of cards or passports or the risks associated with using them.
The report makes no recommendations and has no formal conclusions section, but does include some statements about the implications of the findings. One of the strongest passages reads: ...of particular concern is the reliance of a mental model based upon optical line-of-sight technology; failing to understand the omnidirectionality of RF communication may lead users to miscalculate their level of risk...
The report also criticizes e-passport issuers for not adequately communicating how the documents work and their potential security risks. It will likely be cited in the ongoing debate on electronic passports and in RFID legislative efforts. For more background, see recent coverage:
Forward this to a colleague | Request reprints: reprints at rfidupdate dot com |
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| RFID Tags & Labels | Confidence in RFID - Confidex tags and tickets
The challenges of various industries lead Confidex to develop a comprehensive offering of special tags and labels. Confidex tags are used in a variety of applications ranging from tracking items in the retail supply chain to automotive manufacturing and petrochemical installations. Confidex designs and manufactures contactless tickets for public transport. Visit www.confidex.fi | | | RTLS & Active RFID | Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how!
Ekahau RTLS (Real-Time Location System) automatically tracks assets and people via your existing Wi-Fi network. Control costs and improve asset management with Ekahau. For more information, visit us at www.ekahau.com. | | | Products & Services | PCB Tracking & Visibility Solution from Omnitrol Networks
Off-the-shelf solution provides automated real-time visibility and complete electronic pedigree for traceability on parts and WIP providing real-time dashboards, alerts and reports for shop-floor management. The pedigree information is automatically programmed into Texas Instruments' RFID tag for access to critical data without the need for connection to a back-end database. Learn more. | Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers
the American Management Association reports. 95% of businesses are victimized by employee theft. Managers are reluctant to ask questions, because trusted employees may feel offended, leaving business owners in a difficult situation. What can you do? Nox: Intelligent Perimeter Defense from Simply RFID provides advanced security and protection for business assets. | | | Upcoming Events | AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL
AWA is organizing the Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008 on September 11-12 in Chicago, IL. The event includes presentations and panel discussions with brand owners, legal authorities, associations, converters and suppliers; also networking sessions, a supplier forum, a social program and more. Find more on the program here. | AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China
AWA presents the Asian Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008, to be held on 4 & 5 December in Hong Kong, China. PABS08 Asia focuses on the threats specific to the Asia Pacific region, various elements of IP Theft, and leading-edge solutions. Find more on the program here. | European Supply Chain & Logistics, 13-15 May, Germany
Bringing together Europe's leading providers of supply chain management to evaluate best practices and to move the supply chain agenda into the boardroom. Also, featuring the AMR Research Strategy Session: What makes a supply chain world class in today's global market? More information here: www.supplychain.eu.com | SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China
As one of the earliest, most specialized and authoritative exhibitions in China, approved and supported directly from State Ministry, the 8th SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008 will present you the impressive up-dated development and market of RFID technology in rising China. To know more, please go to www.scan-china.com. | | | Employment | RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting
Whether your company is looking for the best RFID talent or you have the best RFID talent and are looking for the best RFID employer, RFID Recruiters offers the most focused approach to your objective. To learn how the RFID industry and the RFID job market are evolving, visit www.rfidrecruiters.com | | | Research & Whitepapers | RFID Marketing Strategies Report
Thirty-nine pages of original research on RFID audience perceptions, including 30+ figures of tactics, content & messaging, and recommendations to guide marketing strategy. Also, Top-10 RFID company rankings based on 550+ survey respondents. View the executive summary free, with Top-3 sample rankings. Only $495 Individual License or $795 Corporate License. Available now |
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