ANSI and IDSP announce next phase to combat identity theft.
Press Release Summary:
The Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Management Standards Panel (IDSP) will convene a workshop that will explore the desirability and feasibility of standardizing the identity verification process across government agencies that issue identity credentials. A 2nd workshop will examine how research companies measure and report on identity theft. The panel will also seek to monitor implementation of the recommendations contained in the ANSI-BBB IDSP Report.
announces plans to combat identity theft.
Original Press Release:
IDSP Announces Next Phase of Work to Prevent Identity Theft
The Identity Theft Prevention and Identity Management Standards Panel (IDSP) has announced its plans for moving forward with work to combat identity theft. Administered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Panel is a cross-sector coordinating body whose objective is to facilitate the development and use of voluntary consensus standards and guidelines that will equip and assist the private sector, government and consumers in minimizing the scope and scale of identity theft and fraud.
As outlined in its April 2008 Phase 2 Brief, the Panel initially will convene two workshops exploring different facets of the identity theft problem. The first workshop will explore the desirability and feasibility of standardizing the identity verification process across government agencies that issue identity credentials. Government issuers of identity credentials typically depend upon an applicant's presenting credentials issued by another agency to establish identity. Since each agency follows a different standard for identity verification, there is a loophole where identity theft and fraud can occur.
The second workshop will examine how research companies measure and report on identity theft. Discrepancies in research methodologies make it difficult to measure how well the marketplace is doing in combating identity theft and fraud, posing a challenge to industry, regulators and consumers. The goal of each workshop will be to lay the groundwork for the potential development of an American National Standard.
The Panel will continue to provide a forum for information-sharing and cross-sector dialogue on identity issues. It will also seek to monitor implementation of the recommendations contained in the ANSI-BBB IDSP Report, released January 31, 2008 - a resource for businesses, government agencies, and other organizations in the fight against the theft of personal and financial information. [see related article]
Updates and proposals for future IDSP workshops will comprise the agenda for the next plenary meeting anticipated to be held in the 4th quarter of 2008. A progress report will be produced within one year's time. The plans for the Panel's second phase were unveiled following a survey of current and prospective IDSP members.
Information about joining the IDSP effort, and leadership roles and benefits, can be found in the Phase 2 Brief. For more information, visit the Panel's website or contact Jim McCabe, IDSP director (jmccabe@ansi.org; 212.642.8921).
