An Integrated National ID System Final.docx

Transcription

1 From the SelectedWorks of Nicholas Mungo Winter September 1, 2015 An Integrated National ID System Final.docx Nicholas Mungo Available at:

2 WHAT IF Series An Integrated National ID System January Introduction 2015 past and we are on the verge of entering 2016 with new aspirations, dreams, ventures, tasks and a renewal of HOPE! This is a series on WHAT IF we did something different in the way that we do things from waking up, perform in our workplaces, rule and are governed, grow our businesses and in this case mainly use technology to efficiently utilize our diminishing and scares resources. If we enter one of the many Retail chain stores now prevalent in our country we do not always think of alternatives even in our times where every price hike is attributed to the DOLLAR. WHAT IF we support that local shop with equally good items on offer, WHAT IF the Zambian shop owner came together with other local shops and negotiated with the suppliers of wholesale goods and negotiated better prices to be passed onto their customers, WHAT IF the civic authorities cleaned up the surrounding areas WHAT IF we made a concerted effort to do things the Zambian way, which is to aspire for a change that made life good for all and beyond, within our borders, WHAT IF we all could ask ourselves WHAT IF? Below is a look into what national ID cards we use and how we could harness these into an instrument that empowers us to see beyond our current limitations. My name is Nicholas Mpala Mungo and I am a Zambian Multi-E Channel/Billing Specialist/Consultant. Where we are? We currently use in Zambia for the purpose of identifying a person s identification the following means: 1. Passport 2. National Identity Card 3. Driving License 4. And the Voters cards

3 However these systems have been fraught with irregularities, fraud, reprinting, etc. hence it was welcome news when it was announced that Zambia would now have Biometric ID cards. These are cards that use unique identifiers in/on a person such as fingerprints, hand geometry, earlobe geometry, retina and iris patterns, voice waves, DNA and signatures. These are all measurable and includes behavioral characteristics or processes. This form of an Identification card would or could either be based on a Open or Closed sets meaning that the card could be searching from a predetermined database or be one that just registers and logs the card. For Zambia s purposes we would be interested in a Closed set thus all the adult population and this would be for verification or identification of a biological sample or Open Set for with new entrants or a Biological sample not being guaranteed to be in the system. The system would also be potentially tied to individual s Cell Number/s, , Social Security Number, ZRA s TPIN Number. WHAT IF However in the prevalent situation that Zambia finds itself in, What If we could incorporate all four cards into one card with a comprehensive list of the parameters needed for it. It would be cheaper for the citizens whilst it being biometric based, we could rain in on counterfeits, errors and strengthen both the process and the card features. The other benefits would be in form of: National Security: Government and Security wings can determine a person s identity, previously used identity and past activities. Enterprise and E-Government Services: An effective means of managing and administering Zambia s Population. In view that we are only about 13 Million this entails an effective means of organization of our population. Personal Information: Customer demand for services at any time. Business Transactions: Confirmation of Customers identification at any time. Clear and Easy Determination of Eligible Voters: There is no need to register to vote, this is a right that should be availed to all eligible voters hence all voters attaining this age would be automatically availed their right to vote. Currently we use the four cards highlighted above and their use is based on a physical card, history of something unique to an individual person and a biological and measurable traits (color of eyes, color of hair, finger print and height) in a printed hard copy format. These lack the availability of a security PIN, Password, Key and full range of Behavioral and Physiological measureable traits.

4 IndividualPresents Self View is Stored and Assigned ID Number Bio Data is Captured and Pre- Processed A View is Generated for Individual Features and Extracted from Presented Bio Data Capture and System for the Allocation of an Integrated ID Card: Fingerprint, height, color of hair and eyes, facial traits, hand geometry and signature, home address, cell and phones numbers (this becomes a requisite for ID registration), Father and Mother Details. These are collected and utilized in the following sequence: 1. Collection and Conversion into digital format a national presents his/herself and data is measured, captured and collected. 2. Acceptance of acceptable quality and view creation a secondary check is performed to ensure that the captured data and readings of the required quality. 3. Storage Like in KYC (just as is performed for example in Telecommunication companies), upon acceptance, the data is stored in a central holding place (National Enterprise Database). 4. Comparison and checks to previously saved data System checks for any similar or same data already stored in the central storage. 5. Decision based on Comparison check Upon comparison check, the ID is granted, referred for further checks or denied. This would entail having 4/5 classes of the ID cards for say: Diplomats, Government, General Populace and Visitors. Basing it on the Biometric s Institute s Privacy Code would allow for the proper use of these on almagated card. This system would then be integrated to the Immigrations, Customs, Zambia Police, Intelligence, RATSA, Passport Office and the Zambia Revenue Authority.

5 How to Fully Utilize This Integrated National ID Card: Zambia can fully utilize this sort of integrated ID card technologies and it would require for a competent and knowledgeable group of individuals across board end-to-end. To this effect What If we then integrate and use this Integrated ID platform to the and build around robust national system where we can plug into different sectors from Agriculture, Health, Security, Day-to-Day Commerce, Local Purchases, Travel, Tourism etc. This in itself is the platform that harnesses the collective whole of Zambia enabling amongst other things Financial Inclusion for the whole population whilst keeping track of where: Nationals Live How much rentals are paid What schools we go to What we purchase for our homes What fines are paid and by whom Who collects these fines Who earns what and from whom In essence it allows for the total governance of all Zambians in the land through a total recognition of who really is a Zambian! In Essence It Answers the time worn questions of our alleged inability to govern ourselves. Isn t all due to inability to account for our resources, how many we are, what we require, determining of national collective voice, being able to channel the Individual Zambian into one totally whole Zambian Voice! If we know who we are as a people, if we are able to efficiently select the very best amongst ourselves on who will lead us going forward in the land from Civic, Local Government and National Governmental positions in a transparent, then we will be able to select choices and face head-on the challenges facing our country. In case you have missed the point, WHAT IF an Integrated Card allowed for and efficient means for nationals the Right to be called a Zambian with the Rights and Responsibilities to be part of this beautiful country called Zambia through a system that allows us all to work, recognize, track, allocate resources and above all a platform where we can build a place where we can make collective decisions with that comfort that lies in being determined and rightfully called a Zambian.