NIST, the GSA, and a series of international bodies may set the standards for ID technologies, but who ensures that the products we use are following them? Atsec information security is an independent, standards-based IT security consulting and evaluation services company with global reach. Testing and evaluation can be a long process, but as our conversations suggest it can be expedited by doing your homework. Executive Editor Chris Corum talks with Steve Weingart, Austin Holt, and Fiona Pattinson of Atsec at their Austin Texas location.

Does President Obama have biometrics in his Blackberry? Secure ID Coalition Executive Director Kelli Emerick and Regarding ID Editor Zack Martin talk about this and how the new tech-savvy administration may affect different ID initiatives.

Paul Hunter, with the Department of Homeland Security, talks with Regarding ID Editor Zack Martin about Passport Cards, Enhanced Driver Licenses and the system that will read these credentials. Hunter talked about how the systems are being deployed along land borders and commented on a report released that detailed some potential vulnerabilities with the new ID documents.

The HSPD-12 deadline is coming up on Oct. 27. With the deadline fast approaching Regarding ID Editor Zack Martin talked to Karen Evans, administrator for electronic government and information technology with the White House Office of Management and Budget, about the project’s progress and what are the next steps with the credential.

The annual Smart Cards in Government conference will take place just a few days before the ominous October 27 PIV issuance deadline and just weeks before the Presidential election that is likely to impact many of the identification initiatives at the federal level. Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Smart Card Alliance, talks with re:ID host Chris Corum about the event scheduled for October 22-24 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

Customized offers based on your appearance using facial recognition biometrics? That's what YCD Multimedia is touting and will be piloting at Buffalo, N.Y.-based Dunkin' Donuts stores. Regarding ID Editor Zack Martin spoke with Barry Salzman, CEO at YCD Multimedia, about his company's technology and where he sees it going.

Eugene McKenna, Waterford Institute of Technology, spoke with re:ID podcast host Chris Corum about the efforts underway to develop standards for campus card programs across Europe. The European Union is currently considering a proposal to provide funding for the project, which is being called the European Education Connectivity Solution. Other topics include the differences and similarities between campus identity programs in the U.S. and Europe as well as the vendor landscape for the European market.

Nokia, a worldwide leader in Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, is launching a new 3G handset with embedded NFC called the 6212 Classic. Re:ID podcast host Chris Corum spoke with Damien Balsan, Nokia's Head of NFC Business Development for the Americas, about the new device. The two also explored NFC progress in the Americas, the impact of differing handset sales channels on regional rollout, and whether the 'killer application' will prove to be payment or something a bit more personal.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's US VISIT program is one of the largest identification projects started after 9/11. The program has been collecting fingerprints from travelers entering the U.S. for years, but the program is supposed to also be collecting them at exit to confirm that individual's are leaving the country. Regarding ID Editor Zack Martin talked with Bob Mocny, director of the US VISIT program, about the challenges with the exit portions, as well as some other news with the program.

At least 12 states have passed legislation saying they won't comply with Real ID, the federal mandate to secure state-issues IDs and driver licenses. Lawmakers in Maine have been particularly outspoken regarding the law. Regarding ID Editor Zack Martin speaks with Maine State Sen. Phil Bartlett about the law and why the state has some concerns.