Press releases
“Voice of technology” expresses caution over ID cards
11 November 2008
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which represents 150,000 professionals working in the science, engineering and technology sector, has expressed caution over the Government’s announcement today on ID cards.
Paul Davies, IET head of policy, said, “As with so many IT systems the human input and the processes used will have a strong influence on their success.
“We appreciate that specific technical solutions have been outlined but policies still need to be agreed by everyone using the system so that data is not compromised or misused.
“The people working on the systems need effective training and the processes and practices involved must be provided. Only when these issues are implemented can the likelihood of security breaches that we hear so much about be reduced.”
The IET very much supports and is looking to contribute the proposed Identity Scheme Public Panel as well as the Identity Scheme Experts Group.
Media enquiries to:
Robert Beahan
IET Press Officer
T: +44 (0)1438 767336
M: +44 (0)7595 400912
E: rbeahan@theiet.org
Mary Donovan
IET Head of Communications
T: +44 (0)1438 765587
M: +44 (0)7725 498117
E: mdonovan@theiet.org
Notes to editors:
- In order to clarify some of the issues around the aspects of a potential National Identity Scheme (NIS) the IET has published a factfile, Identity Management: Myths and Realities, to assist understanding of what defines an ‘identity’. An identity is a description of an entity (in the example given, a specific human being) in the real, physical world. Examples of such descriptions are: Gordon Brown, James Gordon Brown, the current Prime Minister, a man with dark hair, born on 20 February 1951 in Govan, Glasgow, who lives at 10 Downing Street and so on. The IET fact file can be downloaded at: www.theiet.org/factfiles/it/
- The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a world leading professional organisation, sharing and advancing knowledge to promote science, engineering and technology across the world. For more information, visit www.theiet.org.
- The IET dates from 1871 and has 150,000 members in 127 countries with offices in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
- The IET licenses EngTech, IEng and CEng; is supporting the Engineering Diploma and developing the new ICTtech and accredits more than 160 undergraduate courses in the UK.
- The IET operates IET.tv, a web TV service which covers a wide range of engineering and technology events and content. For more information, visit www.iet.tv.
- The IET celebrates 100 years at its London home, Savoy Place, in June 2009 and will be staging a programme of centenary celebrations.