Posted on 10/04/2017 8:08:22 AM PDT by Red Badger
One possibility is using cryptographic keys, or a combination of long random numbers
WASHINGTON—The administration of President Donald Trump is exploring ways to replace the Social Security number with a safer system based on modern technology in the wake of the Equifax Inc. EFX -0.58% hack, the White House cybersecurity czar said Tuesday.
Rob Joyce, the White House’s cybersecurity coordinator, said one possibility is using cryptographic keys, or a combination of long random numbers, to unlock personal data. The merit of such numbers is that they could be revoked once they are found to be compromised, he said.
“I feel very strongly that the Social Security number has outlived its usefulness,” Mr. Joyce said at a cybersecurity conference hosted by the Washington Post. “It’s a flawed system. If you think about it, every time we use the Social Security number, we put it at risk.” He described the current system as “untenable,” noting that his own Social Security number has been compromised at least four times.
“We’ve got a modern digital age. We’ve got to find a way to use that modern cryptographic identifier to help us drive down that risk,” Mr. Joyce said, adding he has asked various departments and federal agencies to submit ideas. He didn’t provide a schedule for further policy steps.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
It’s just ignored...................
Right, there is current law. But it needs to be stronger, which is why I advocate for not allowing third parties to use SSNs as identifiers even if someone consents to its use for that purpose. That is a big loophole.
Of course, without any enforcement, none of this is meaningful.
It’s a government document: elect lies.
The freaking “modern digital age” is what got us in the mess we are in.
Information systems will never be secure as long as people operate them. When the day comes people don’t operate them, then they won’t be safe.
Same here and yet...
So much has become what it was not intended for.
I don’t carry my medicare card but my Medicare Advantage card. If they did ask for my medicare card, I would show a photocopy with all but my last four digits blacked out. However, my MA card has served well for that purpose.
My SS card (typed using a typerwriter) says:
” Not for identification purposes “
That horse left the barn long ago.
Now days you can’t do squat without handing out your SS#
I know how key pairs are used.
They’re used as I described.
How about a unique, very hard to duplicate biometric card (like Mexico has) that can also be used for voting?
It’s been that way for decades.
It only gets wore with all of the “last four” requests from automated systems for authorization to pay bills over the phone/net.
We could always tattoo a number on peoples' hands and foreheads. Call the system Better Efficiency Agency Security Technology.
Implanted chips. Retire, go on SS, get chipped before you get your first check..
Will come in handy when you wander off from the old folks home at 4 in the morning...
>>My SS card (typed using a typerwriter) says:
” Not for identification purposes “
*******************************************************
We became Boiled Frogs.
“That would be pointless and backward. Think about how key pairs are used by ssh.”
I didn’t explain this very well. To clarify, both the .gov and individuals would have private keys.
The difference is that the .gov would use their private key to sign ALL the IDs in the system. The individual’s private key would only validate themselves.
So again, if the .gov private key is compromised, all other issued keys would need to be revoked and replaced.
mine too i got it back in the early 50’s
Something's fishy about that..
Seems like the underlying problem is the existence of socialist insecurity.
I’ll just dunk mine in lemon juice for a while....................
Look at Estonia. They seem to be on the leading edge of this.
Got link?..................
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.