News that a Dutch security company, working in tandem with the Times newspaper in the UK, has revealed that it was able to clone a UK ePassport chip within minutes has led to major doubts about not only ePassports but the forthcoming multi-billion pound UK ID card program.
While the ePassport blow could be a serious threat to the security of the UK it is more the fact that the same chip will be used in the ID card program which is causing greater concern. The roll out of ID cards will begin this year with foreign nationals from outside of Europe the first in line. The fact that the Dutch firm was able to clone the card within an hour using a readily available software package and computer equipment costing no more than £100 has shocked many.
If the claims are proven, and there is no reason to suggest that they are flawed, the UK authorities could actually be playing into the hands of terrorists and illegal entrants into the UK by ‘giving' them the chips to clone. When you consider that the ID card program alone is costing nearly £5 billion surely the authorities should have taken expert security advice beforehand? |
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