Smartcard UIDs For Employee Identification From Micro Technologies

As the hullabaloo over the national UID project intensifies, we hear new developments about it almost everyday. The latest one doing the round, according to an exclusive report by CNBC TV18, is global software giant Microsoft’s interest to be party to this massive e-governance project. And the interest is not without reason. It is indeed an ambitious project to profile all the unique information related to a billion plus population.

Taking a cue from this project, Micro Technologies has developed an in-house, UID-based access control system called Micro UID, which was recently launched by ex-chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami. The company has used this system as a pilot project to enable access control of employees within office premises. It will store information such as date of birth, PAN number, residential information, banking details, personal identification, health and passport details, RTO registration and property details, using biometrics.

The ID card is connected to a LAN access control system, which guarantees network-based administration at high speed. The auto sensing function will ensure the authentication process happens with the touch of a finger, thus, preventing instances like forgotten or stolen passwords, keys, or even the ID cards themselves.

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Commenting on the relevance of such an access control system in enterprises, Tushar Wakde, chief project manager, Micro Technologies, said, “In India, we have different methods of identifying and verifying individuals; it is either done through a PAN card, passport, driving licence, ration card, voters’ ID card, LIC policy or even a letter from the Gram Panchayat or corporator. Any of these identification documents could also have varying information, which then leads to irregularity. The lack of a standardised method of identification is apparent. Hence, there is a need for unique identification of every individual. It should also be created in such a manner that it is applicable across all sectors, and is recognised as a standard proof of identity. It has to be unique so that nobody is able to duplicate or misuse it.”

Such a solution can have relevance in high security areas and the IT and ITeS sectors, where unauthorised access in met with zero tolerance.

The Micro UID card also allows all the information to be backed up in a centralised location. Verification is possible only by the user. The use of the biometric device, along with verification codes, reduces the possibility of duplication to almost nil.

Micro Technologies’ core strength lies in security; however, the actual implementation of this pilot project wasn’t a hassle-free ride for the firm. Although the idea of converting the usual employee ID cards into smartcards was met with great enthusiasm, it was the actual transformation that was challenging. Wakde says, “Collating so much information into one card and ensuring that it is secure and non-duplicable was a great challenge.”

This pilot project has helped the firm to gather initial reactions about the Micro UID card and eliminate flaws and minor niggles associated with their product. Dr P Sekhar, chairman and managing director, Micro Technologies, further elaborates on the benefits that this smartcard would bring in, “It would make the verification and authentication of any individual very easy and quick. Allotment of government documents like birth certificate, caste certificate, driving licence, passport, health details etc, can also be done smoothly with this UID system.”

The Micro UID card has serious implications for national security as well. Keeping in mind India’s porous borders, it would help in checking the identities of illegal immigrants, people defaulting on their visa stay, infiltration etc.

Wakde agrees that there are many parallels, which have been drawn between the National UID project and the offering from Micro Technologies, more so because of the similar nature of their utility of being a secure and standard authentication method. He says, “Micro UID is a system born out of rigorous research and the need for such a system. We would be very happy to contribute to the National UID project, with our research and experience behind us.”