State and local governments need better security for elections and emergency preparedness
17 December, 2007
category:
Mark Andersen
Head of Desktop Product and Industry Marketing
Datacard Group
There are many Federal initiatives underway to improve the security and efficiency of ID management. In addition to the widely publicized Federal initiatives, there is an increasing trend to improve efficiency, security and interoperability at state, local and county governments. In 2008, two state and local markets that will receive additional attention to improve security and efficiency, as well as significant federal grant dollars, are Election Precinct Management and Emergency Preparedness.
Since the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was implemented in 2002 and Federal funding spawned nationwide election reform, state and local election administrators have faced an increasing trend to improve efficiencies, security and interoperability cost-effectively. In one of the major areas, precinct and ID management, election jurisdictions are seeking alternatives to the expense and inefficiency of paper poll books while reducing lines and wait times at poll sites.
A real-time, robust mechanism for reporting on results is also needed. These agencies are looking for solutions that will solve their critical issues and bridge the divide between the statewide voter registration database and the individual voter transactions.
Additionally, jurisdictions are seeking solutions that will enable them to manage their poll workers more effectively and to address the increasing ID requirements mandated by recent legislation. The task forces that are making decisions on what technology or solution to use share the same critical issues around interoperability and funding for all of these programs.
Initiatives around emergency management sites require more automated solutions to reduce risk and save lives during a catastrophe. New solutions should provide secure enrollment, tracking, and access for first responders and provide for web interoperable communications of vital field information.
Typical tracking of responders today is done by sight and manual tagging. A new solution can also provide compliancy with the FRAC (First Responder Authentication Credential) or the more involved HSPD-12 FIPS process. Although FIPS requires additional vetting and enrollment procedures to allow access to Federal level incidents, the current costs may not be justified for a local fire station. A local dealer who understands the needs of this market will find willing agencies tasked with planning for, and managing, local incidents.
Like the Electoral space, government funding and security concerns are driving demand. Currently the Federal grants that feed into these local and state First Responder projects total $1.6 billion. Experienced solution providers will also help these public safety customers determine how to submit their funding requests.
Solution providers that can deliver proven, cost-effective configurations of hardware, software, and services for Election Precinct Management and Emergency Preparedness are in high demand by these local government task forces. A local integrator will be able to design a solution that complements any legacy system and leverages any work that has already been done. These local agencies are also looking to integrators and solution providers to help them understand what level of interoperability is required at the local, state, or federal level to minimize the complexity and cost for their implementation.
About the AVISIAN Publishing Expert Panel
At the close of each year, AVISIAN Publishing’s editorial team selects a group of key leaders from various sectors of the ID technology market to serve as Expert Panelists. Each individual is asked to share their unique insight into what lies ahead. During the month of December, these panelist’s predictions are published daily at the appropriate title within the AVISIAN suite of ID technology publications: SecureIDNews.com, ContactlessNews.com, CR80News.com, RFIDNews.org, FIPS201.com, NFCNews.com, ThirdFactor.com, and DigitalIDNews.com.
