EU RFID Risks Manageable in Near Term Riskier in Networked Future

European technology study group assesses the use of RFID technology and its challenges. The analysis sees current privacy risks as limited, but envisions future risks associated with integrated information sources that may allow mining of the aggregate information, which could increase the likelihood of potential surveillance. ...

... "Although a more comprehensive survey would need to be undertaken to draw definite conclusions, these first accounts suggest that, relative to the scale of implementation, few Identity Management issues actually occur. In general, both user and maintainer of the RFID settings perceive RFID merely as an electronic key or wallet. The reason for this can be twofold. First of all, in all the cases it is clear who maintains the data and needs to comply with the guidelines on data protection. Second, many systems currently only cover a small area of a specific setting and run parallel to legacy systems. The RFID systems therefore only disclose small fragments of their users’ identity, limiting the maintainers' possibilities for control. " ...

Via European Union Scientific Technology Options Assessment: RFID and Identity Management in Everyday Life (PDF)

Implanted RFID Not Without Risks Per AMA

American Medical Association issues report on implantable RFID technology. ...

... "RFID technology has the potential to improve patient care as well as patient safety. However, the safety and efficacy of human-implantable RFID devices has yet to be established. Therefore, the medical community should support further investigations to obtain the data necessary to make informed medical decisions regarding the use of these devices. The medical community should also be sensitive to potential social consequences of RFID devices, such as non-medical applications in law enforcement. " ...

Via AMA: REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ON ETHICAL AND JUDICIAL AFFAIRS (Doc)

European Perspective on RFID Technology

European Union provides results of regional survey on RFID technology. ...

... "RFID – smart radio tags - are the keystone of the emerging Internet of Things that will connect objects and places. " ...

Via European Union: Radio Frequency IDentification RFID - The Internet of things - European Perspective



Survey reveals key findings, such as mixed views on the benefits of RFID, belief in a higher risk to privacy due to RFID, and a general lack of adequate information on RFID to support education of citizens. Europeans want to continue the dialogue on the privacy risks of RFID. ...

... "Overall, 60% of respondents feel that there is insufficient information available to make an informed analysis of RFID technologies. There is therefore considerable support for awareness and information campaigns. Views on whether RFID can improve the lives of Europeans are evenly split. The benefits mentioned include food safety (identification of allergens, more comprehensive information, easier product recalls), healthcare (prevention of drug misuse, authentication) or supply chain management (fewer stocks-out, better after sales service). Privacy, health and environmental risks are among the RFID concerns given." ...

RFID Privacy Guidelines: Ontario Canada ...

Ontario Commissioner for Information and Privacy releases privacy guidelines for the field of radio frequency identification (RFID). ...

... "RFID tags contain microchips and tiny radio antennas that can be attached to products. They transmit a unique identifying number to an electronic reader, which in turn links to a computer database where information about the item is stored. RFID tags may be read from a distance quickly and easily, making them valuable for managing inventory but pose potential risks to privacy if linked to personal identifiers. RFID tags are the next generation technology from barcodes.

Although RFID technology deployed in the supply chain management process poses little threat to privacy, item-level use of RFID tags in the retail sector, when linked to personally identifiable information, can facilitate the tracking and surveillance of individuals. The goal of these Guidelines is to alleviate concerns about the potential threat to privacy posed by this technology and to enhance openness and transparency about item-level use of RFID systems by retailers. The Guidelines address key privacy issues regarding the use of RFID technology at an item-level in the retail sector, said Commissioner Cavoukian. The Guidelines are based on three overarching principles:

Focus on RFID information systems, not technologies.

Build in privacy and security from the outset – at the design stage.

Maximize individual participation and consent. " ...

RFID Privacy Guidelines: Ontario Canada: Via Canada IPC: Commissioner Cavoukian issues RFID Guidelines and Practical Tips aimed at protecting privacy

RFID Human Identification: Appropriate Uses ...

Broad use of RFID technology for human identification is not supported at this time by the DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee, due to the increase in privacy and abuse risks. ...

... "There appear to be specific, narrowly defined situations in which RFID is appropriate for human identification. Miners or firefighters might be appropriately identified using RFID because speed of identification is at a premium in dangerous situations and the need to verify the connection between a card and bearer is low. But for other applications related to human beings, RFID appears to offer little benefit when compared to the consequences it brings for privacy and data integrity. Instead, it increases risks to personal privacy and security, with no commensurate benefit for performance or national security. Most difficult and troubling is the situation in which RFID is ostensibly used for tracking objects (medicine containers, for example), but can be in fact used for monitoring human behavior. These types of uses are still being explored and remain difficult to predict. " ...

Via The DHS Emerging Applications and Technology Subcommittee: The Use of RFID for Human Identification: A DRAFT REPORT (PDF) ...

RFID People Chipping ...

RFID chipping of people is not very far away. Consumer items, passports, drugs, and other objects will have RFID tags and could serve as a mechanism for tracking and tracing people. In the references below, there are many examples where people RFID chipping is beginning. Mark Long explores the benefits and privacy concerns of RFID technology as adoption increases to solve various problems in society. ...

... "Nevertheless, the chipping of Americans may not be as far away as some people think. For one thing, RFID tags are likely to play a pivotal role in securing the next generation of American identity documents, said Bob McCullough, an analyst at The Yankee Group. " ...

RFID People Chipping: Tracked by a Tiny Chip: The Promise and Peril of RFID - Via Tech Trends - NewsFactor Network

Additional resources on the chipping of people with RFID:

Feds approve human RFID implants | Via The Register: "The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a gimmick from Florida-based Applied Digital Solutions to chip people with RFID implants - previously confined to tracking animals - thereby making it easy to access their medical records, even when they cannot, or would rather not, cooperate."

EPIC RFID Privacy Page: "In comments to the Article 29 Working Group, an association of leading European privacy officials, EPIC has recommended strong safeguards for RFIDs and techniques to track the use of digital works. EPIC's Comments on RFID (pdf) recommend a prohibition on chipping people and warn that unencrypted RFID passports pose significant security risks. "

Japan: Schoolkids to be tagged with RFID chips - Hardware - News - Via ZDNet Asia: "The rights and wrongs of RFID-chipping human beings have been debated since the tracking tags reached the technological mainstream. Now, school authorities in the Japanese city of Osaka have decided the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and will now be chipping children in one primary school. "

ItemLevel RFID: Manage StockOuts Shrinkage ...

Vue and Symbol collaborate to develop RFID solutions that minimize retail stock-outs and inventory shrinkage. ...

... "Vue Technology, a leading provider of item-level RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, and Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), The Enterprise Mobility Company, announced that they will jointly develop and deliver integrated item-level RFID solutions for retailers and manufacturers. The integrated item-level RFID solutions will offer visibility into inventory levels, location and authenticity, resulting in significant reductions in out-of-stocks, shrinkage and labor costs. The TrueVUE RFID Platform is an ROI-driven solution that supports end-to-end item level RFID, enabling manufacturers and retailers to streamline the tracking of individual items throughout the supply chain. Vue Technology will combine their patent-pending RF Networking technology and EPC management software with Symbol's RFID fixed and handheld readers, tags and peripheral devices to deliver a cost-effective platform, enabling customers to reap the benefits of item-level RFID. The joint item-level RFID solutions will expand the reach of RFID from traditional pallet and case-level distribution applications that focus on broad supply chain visibility to in-store applications which focus on achieving enhanced on-shelf availability and sales for specific product categories. " ...

ItemLevel RFID: Manage StockOuts Shrinkage: Via Vue Technology: VUE TECHNOLOGY AND SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES TO DELIVER ITEM-LEVEL RFID SOLUTIONS TO RETAIL AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: Integrated Solutions Will Reduce Out-of-Stocks, Shrinkage and Labor Costs ...

Vue Technology is the leading provider of item level RFID, delivering breakthrough technology that provides the most scalable, reliable, and ROI-driven solutions on the market. With patent-pending technologies, VUE allows standard RFID readers to network across thousands of antennas, exponentially increasing the number of zones a typical reader can support. Vue provides customers unprecedented visibility into inventory levels, location and authenticity while eliminating the prohibitive cost barriers previously associated with item-level RFID roll-outs. With its TrueVUE™ RFID Platform, Vue offers the most complete suite of integrated RF networking hardware and EPC management software for item-level RFID, maximizing the benefits to our customers while minimizing implementation risks – at the lowest TCO.

RFID Integrated Value Network

RFID Integrated Value Network: RFID Business Process Enablement: The most flexible approach to RFID-enabled supply chain business processes ...

... "Select and tune the processes that will benefit from RFID. Rather than starting your foray into RFID with a slap and ship program or tag and reader testing, you will start by creating RFID-ready processes. ... Share the cost, risks and benefits of an RFID pilot project with your supply network partners. The low initial cost, speed of deployment and shared risk make the hosted approach to RFID services appealing. " ...

One Network enables unified management of orders, inventory, shipments and forecasts in collaborative demand-driven supply network.

RFID Testing Future Business Processes ...

RFID Testing Future Business Processes: Satyam helps Businesses Create and Simulate their Future; Launches FUTURUS: A state-of-the-art Business Solutions laboratory that gives clients a peek into their future business environment and cuts risks significantly while making business or technology decisions ...

... "Emerging technologies and methodologies like RFID, SOA and Composite Applications can be combined with established enterprise class applications such as ERP, CRM and SCM to simulate future scenarios while considering business trends like mergers, acquisitions and large scale business process changes. Many technology partners such as Adobe Systems Inc., Cast Iron Systems, G-LOG, and Pegasystems Inc. have already confirmed their intent to participate in Futurus. More partners are expected to participate in the near future. " ...

Futurus is an initiative of the Enterprise Business Solutions unit of Satyam. Satyam has established itself as a leader in Enterprise Business Solutions with nearly 35% of its revenues derived from this space.

RFID Privacy Commentary: Passports

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology: What the Future Holds for Commerce, Security, and the Consumer: The Committee on Energy and Commerce: Mr. Barry Steinhardt, Director of the Technology and Liberty Program, The American Civil Liberties Union

... "Today, I will explore with you the risks to privacy of governmental uses of RFID tags in identification documents, and the risks to consumer privacy of use of RFID tags by the private sector. I will close by suggesting that Congress play an active role in deciding whether to authorize governmental use of RFID tags in U.S. passports. " ...

RFID Services Platform

RFID Services Platform: PANORAMA SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC POSITION WITH RFID SERVICES PLATFORM: Panorama Tapped as a Key Microsoft BI Partner to Participate in RFID Technology Development: BI Leader Unveils Plans for RFID BI Solution ...

Panorama will invest in development of the Services Platform for RFID ...

... "Panorama Software, a global leader in business intelligence (BI) solutions for the Microsoft Corp. platform, announced that it is one of the first BI software partners of Microsoft to be invited to participate in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology developments. Panorama will soon release its first RFID BI system, built on top of the recently announced Microsoft RFID Infrastructure, as part of its current Panorama Supply Chain Intelligence solution. " ...

Panorama Software helps global organizations unlock the hidden value of their information assets to improve business performance and results. Panorama extends the Microsoft platform through integrated business intelligence and corporate performance management solutions. With Panorama decision makers at all levels and functions can easily analyze data, quickly create and distribute reports, and proactively measure performance. Companies gain a greater understanding of their business and make better decisions. These informed decisions improve profitability, increase revenues, reduce costs and time to market and mitigate competitive risks. Panorama, a leading innovator of business intelligence solutions, supports customers worldwide in industries such as financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, healthcare, telecommunications and life sciences. Panorama has more than 250 partners in 30 countries, and maintains offices throughout North America and EMEA.

RFID Risk Management Program ...

RFID Risk Management Program: Corporate SOX Compliance: Reconnex Introduces North American Channel Partner Program: TSC to Provide Services that Enable Corporations to Respond and Report on Enterprise Risks by Integrating and Implementing the Reconnex inSight Platform ...

Visibility into network information is key to risk management in the application of RFID technology ...

... "Corporate risks extend far beyond those involved in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and the financial marketplace – other regulations such as HIPAA, FDA, RFID, and other legal, technical, and environmental risks must be considered a part of risk assessment and management, said Malcolm Schwartz, senior vice president, compliance consulting group at TSC. Having visibility into all information leaving the corporate network so nothing goes unanalyzed can be a key element in a comprehensive risk management program. ” ...

Reconnex enables companies to guard against information security breaches that originate within an organization. Reconnex pioneered the only enterprise security platform of its kind that has the capacity to run at gigabit speeds, is non-invasive and can be deployed in hours not weeks; businesses now have a realistic and cost-effective solution to assess their operational and compliance risks. With Reconnex, companies across various industries and government agencies now have the demonstrable proof they are in continuous compliance with real-time monitoring, detection and reporting of compliance risks.

Real-Time RFID Applications ...

Persistent Systems and iSpheres Announce A Solution for Real-Time RFID Applications ...

... "Persistent Systems and iSpheres have announced today a highly scalable distributed data management framework and edge application environment for RFID and generic sensor network deployments. These will leverage Persistent Systems’ proven distributed data management skills with industry leading event server technology from iSpheres. Enterprises will now have an unprecedented ability to future proof their technology investments as RFID deployments scale up through the years. " ...

Founded in 1990, Persistent Systems has provided full-service outsourced product development services to over 130 satisfied clients as well as customizable, quick-to install, end-to-end business integration suites for enterprises. Persistent specializes in offering solutions in the technology areas of Identity Management, RFID and Data Warehousing. Persistent Systems’ solutions are widely deployed in global corporations such as Credit Suisse First Boston, AFG, Merck, Bridgestone, General Electric, and Johnson & Johnson.

Founded in 1998, iSpheres provides a high-performance event server for applications that detect and respond to real-time business opportunities and risks. iSpheres EPL Server enables real-time intelligence — the ability to analyze real-time data to detect critical scenarios, from inside and outside the organization, so decisions can be made quickly and proactively. Established industries such as Financial Services and Government as well as emerging markets like RFID, Compliance and NetCentric Warfare are embracing the strategic value of event processing.

RFID E-briefs Senator Bill Nelson ...

E-briefs from the office of US Senator Bill Nelson

... "Bill also has weighed in on another privacy issue regarding a new technology being used by businesses, as well as the United States government. The technology, called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), uses microchip tags with miniature antennae that are attached to objects and then used to collect consumer information such as the cost, date of purchase, and even the color of an item. Without consumers' knowledge, businesses or employers could use scanners to read the information being transmitted about the tagged products. For example, retailers could scan the contents of a woman's purse as she enters their stores, or employers could scan the contents of employees' backpacks to see what medications are being carried. If abused, the technology could pose a significant range of privacy and security risks." ...

RFID Privacy Discussion Points

From The Committee on Energy and Commerce ...

... "New risks for privacy: The debate over RFID technology touches upon many controversial policy issues. At its most fundamental, widespread use of RFID tags could enable corporations to track every move consumers make. Corporations which compile the data transmitted by the tags could determine which products a consumer purchases, how often products are used, and even where the product -- and by extension the consumer -- travels. By aggregating data to form consumer profiles, corporations could make inferential assumptions about a consumer's income, health, lifestyle, buying habits, and travels. This information could be sold to governments to create dossiers of individual citizens, or simply sold to other corporations for marketing purposes. While the ability of RFID readers to collect data from tags once a consumer has left a store or moved beyond the readers' range is currently limited, many consumer groups and privacy advocates note that RFID technology is quickly advancing, while measures to protect individual privacy by limiting the amount and type of information corporations can collect about consumers is lacking. There have been several cases in the past year where the technology of RFID has been used without informing consumers. In the retail industry, for example, some retailers have collected information on their customers unbeknownst to them without providing them with the most basic notice. " ...

RFID Asset Tracking: Multispectral Solutions to Deliver UWB Precision Asset Location ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA  ... The company's PAL650 Precision Asset Location system is the world's first FCC-certified, UWB-based, active RFID and tracking system for personnel and high ...

... Multispectral Solutions, Inc. (MSSI) has received an order from Parco Merged Media Corporation, its healthcare licensee, for the delivery of its ultra wideband (UWB) PAL650(TM) Precision Asset Location system hardware for use in Washington Hospital Center's (WHC) ER1 project. The WHC ER1 Mass Casualty Response project is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative to prepare the U.S. for large-scale emergencies, including terrorist attacks. WHC received casualties from the Pentagon on September 11th. The "All Risks Ready" ER1 is a prototype crisis center being developed to deal with national emergencies including nuclear, biological and chemical attack. ...

Multispectral Solutions, Inc. (MSSI), established in 1989 in Germantown, MD, is a pioneer and established industry leader in the development of ultra wideband (UWB) systems for communications, radar and precision positioning applications. The company's PAL650 Precision Asset Location system is the world's first FCC-certified, UWB-based, active RFID and tracking system for personnel and high valued assets.

RFID Investment Impact: Multibillion-Dollar RFID Investments Will Affect 4 Million US ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... In its report, Users and Vendors are Beginning to Explore the Utility of RFID Technology In the Supply Chain, the Yankee Group estimates that during the next 3 ...

The Yankee Group is the global leader in communications & networking research and consulting. The company helps businesses understand the opportunities, risks and competitive pressures of developing, deploying and consuming products and services that drive communication or information exchange. Now in its fourth decade, the Yankee Group is based in Boston with offices throughout North America and Europe.

RFID Trade Security: Over-boxing the answer to parallel trade risks?

From In Pharma, France ... The SMF notes this might require the use of fairly innovative technology such as radio frequency identification (RFID) to allow for the unique identification of ...

RFID Middleware: Striving for Total Interoperability

From RFID Journal ... June 2, 2004—Joining the growing ranks of companies offering RFID middleware, software provider RfideaWorks has released RFIdirector and RFIdb. ...

RFideaWorks provides high-performance, flexible RFID-enabling solutions to help businesses meet new Wal-Mart, DoD, FDA, Airbus/Boeing, and international RFID requirements - regardless of which standards are used. This means a company can do business in a "mix and match" RFID and auto identification data capture (AIDC) standards world, like EPC, ISO, proprietary, UID, bar codes and data from GPS, RTLS, electronic pedigrees, biometrics, and still have their existing information systems working smoothly and efficiently throughout the enterprise, supply chain, and customer base.

RFideaWorks incorporates advanced technology, like RFIdirector (TM) - a unique patent-pending process for middleware data capture and input/output device-independent interoperability, RFIdb (TM) - the first real-time database designed from the ground up especially for RFID, and RFIdwh (TM) - the first real-time intelligent data warehouse using RFID information. RFIdb and RFIdwh also employ a patent-pending process and architecture. Integrated seperately or together, RFideaWorks helps users meet "RFID ASAP" requirements quickly and more importantly rapidly accelerates strategic business transformation to gain major competitive advantage in an RFID-centric business world without introducing complexity, big budgets, long timeframes, and unnecessary risks.

Zigbee RFID: Atmel Announces Industry's First ZigBee-Ready Chipset with ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Z-Link Solution Is the World's First, Architectured to Support ZigBee Applications SAN JOSE, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atmel(R) Corporation ...

The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly networked monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. ZigBee’s powerful but simple protocol promises to simplify wireless product integration, speed time to market, and reduce costs and risks for manufacturers looking to embed wireless connectivity. Your company can gain the inside track on this rapidly emerging standard — plus you can also help shape the specification as it evolves to meet your application-specific and industry-specific needs. Manufacturers focused on the home-control and building-automation markets, including lighting, HVAC, AMR and appliance OEMs, are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to shape the future of wireless networking, and to redefine the competitive landscape of their industries. The ZigBee Alliance offers two levels of membership: Promoter and Participant.

ZigBee™-compliant RF Transceivers and Controllers: Atmel is committed to providing cost effective, easy-to-use, highly reliable, and secure system solutions for the wireless market. Supporting that goal, Atmel’s ZigBee-compliant product line will include a complete ZigBee and 802.15.4 solution of RF transceivers, tailored microcontrollers, and software and reference designs. Atmel's AT86RF210 Z-Link™ Transceiver, capable of transmitting and receiving modulated digital data over the 868/915 MHz bands with data rates up to 20 kbps and 40 kbps respectively, is currently in development. Another product in development, the AT86ZL3201 Z-Link Controller, is a ZigBee-compliant controller, based on Atmel’s high performance AVR® RISC microcontroller core. It includes SRAM and Flash memory and is optimized for 802.15.4 as well as ZigBee applications, and supports all bands (868/915 MHz and 2.4 GHz).

As an active member of the ZigBee Alliance, Atmel strongly supports this wireless communications solution that will be embedded in consumer electronics, home and building automation, industrial controls, PC peripherals, medical applications, and electronic toys and games. ZigBee is targeted for low data rate (20 - 250 kbps) applications that need low cost and in many cases are battery operated and therefore need low power consumption. It utilizes the IEEE 802.15.4 WPAN standard for the Media Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY). ZigBee adds the application and network protocols to 802.15.4 to ensure interoperability between vendors.

Oracle RFID: Oracle Previews Next Release of Oracle E-Business Suite

From CPILive.net, United Arab Emirates ... One example of the Oracle E-Business Suite 11i.10 industry enhancements is the new capabilities for radio frequency identification (RFID), also announced today ...

With Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), companies can more accurately track assets and monitor key indicators, gain greater visibility into their operations, and make decisions based on real-time information. RFID is just one type of sensor-based technology; others include moisture, light, temperature, and vibration sensors. Increasingly, RFID tags are being combined with sensors and tracking technologies like GPS to give companies greater visibility into their supply chains for reduced risk and optimized business processes.

Oracle Sensor-Based Services are a comprehensive set of capabilities to capture, manage, analyze, access, and respond to data from sensors such as RFID, location, and temperature. Based on Oracle Database 10g, Oracle Application Server 10g, Oracle Enterprise Manager 10g, and Oracle E-Business Suite 11i, Oracle Sensor-Based Services enable companies to quickly and easily integrate sensor-based information into their enterprise systems. Oracle’s solution includes a Compliance package, an RFID pilot kit, and integrated support in Oracle E-Business Suite and Oracle Application Server.

As the retail industry gears up for RFID (radio frequency identification) mandates from major retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart, Oracle is in lock step with CPG industry initiatives. Oracle delivered on its promise that the next version of Oracle Warehouse Management would be RFID-ready. The Compliance module will include a prebuilt compliance application to allow companies to address the specific and unique reporting requirements coming down from the major retailers and the Department of Defense. The Pilot Kit
allows smaller companies to test RFID with a light-weight solution that includes drivers for the major RFID readers, plus reporting and analytic tools to process RFID data. The new version of Oracle Warehouse Management will enable pallet- and case-level tagging for automatic processing of inbound and outbound shipments. With Oracle's new capabilities, companies will be able to easily identify, track and manage pallets and cases as they move through the supply chain. The improved order visibility will enable organizations to make more informed decisions about production, inventory stock, delivery promise dates, and quickly adapt to fluctuating market demands. Additionally, the automated, real-time tracking capabilities will help improve security and cut costs associated with manual processes.

Oracle Warehouse Management uses both Oracle Database 10g and Oracle Application Server 10g to efficiently and securely move and manage RFID data. By taking advantage of Oracle's data management expertise, Oracle Warehouse Management customers will be able to track, store and manipulate RFID in real-time, without compromising security, high availability and performance. Additionally, companies using Oracle 10g products to manage RFID data are able to identify hidden trends and patterns in order fulfillment, uncover new cost reduction opportunities and reduce business risks.

RFID, technology that includes tags and reader devices that use radio waves to automatically identify items, continues to gain momentum with suppliers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers for its ability to eliminate line-of-site processes - such as manual bar code scanning - and automate critical supply chain transactions. EPC, a new numbering scheme for identifying products in the supply chain, is gaining widespread acceptance as an emerging standard. In addition to Wal-Mart, the Department of Defense also issued a mandate to its top suppliers to incorporate RFID tags in all pallet shipments by 2005. These industry initiatives are expected to help grow the global RFID market to $3 billion by 2007, according to the Wireless Data Research Group.