NEWS ROOM | Press Releases
For immediate release: April 15, 2002
Contact: Beth Roszman
NASCIO Member Testifies on Identity Security
(LEXINGTON, KY) - Richard J. Varn, NASCIO member and Chief Information Officer for the State of Iowa, will testify before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, Restructuring and the District of Columbia on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. ET in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. Varn also serves as chair of NASCIO's Privacy and Personalization Working Group.
Varn's testimony will address identity security and the need for coordinated efforts between all levels of government to ensure accuracy in maintaining records and preventing lapses in security. Varn will point out that sound security in the creation and authentication of identity needs three parts: "something you know, something you have and something you are." Typically, systems often rely on one or two of these to establish identity and extend privileges and benefits. He will also address the issue of creating a common electronic record for legal entrants into the country.
"As the coordinators of technical standards and data, NASCIO and other national associations such as AAMVAnet (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators - network services), NAPHSIS (National Association of Public Health Statistics and Information Systems) and NRF (National Retail Federation) can play a significant role and be a valuable resource in the process of identity security. A coordinated effort is key in developing a sound process that addresses duplication efforts within the levels of government," said Varn. "These groups recently co-sponsored an Identity Security Forum in Washington, DC and determined that cooperation was the only way to approach this critical national issue. NASCIO is also working with the NGA (National Governors Assocation), NAAG (National Association of Attorneys General) and other policy groups to consider recommendations in improving state practices to identity security."
The hearing entitled "A License to Break the Law? Protecting the Integrity of Driver's Licenses" will examine problems relating to the availability and use of fake or fraudulently issued driver's licenses and how the process can be improved at all levels of government. In addition to NASCIO and the NGA, others organizations represented include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, State of Kansas, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, Free Congress Foundation, AMS State and Local Government Solutions and Kirkland & Ellis.
Varn's testimony will be available online following the hearing. To view his testimony, go to http://www.nascio.org. A broadcast of the hearing is available through streaming audio at Capitol Hearings.
NASCIO represents the state chief information officers from the 50 states, six U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Members include cabinet and senior level state officials responsible for information resource management. Other IT officials participate as associate members and private sector representatives may become corporate members.
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For more information please contact NASCIO Assistant Director Mary Gay Whitmer at (859) 514-9209.
Association Management Resources, Inc. (AMR) provides NASCIO's executive staff. For more information about AMR visit http://www.amrinc.net.
