DataSafe Wallets receive government security approval
16 February, 2007
category: Contactless, Financial, Government
Kena Kai’s DataSafe Wallets have received General Services Administration approval, making its opaque sleeves that can protect contactless ID cards from prying eyes, FIPS 201 compliant. The public can also use the same identity theft protection technology to safeguard their identities, says the company.
Anaheim CA – Continuing to solidify their position as the “World’s Safest Wallets”, Kena Kai’s line of DataSafe Wallets have received approval from the United States Government’s General Services Administration (GSA) for a suite of Electromagnetic Opaque Sleeves that are now listed on the Approved Products List for FIPS 201 compliance. These are the first wallets approved under the stringent new US Federal security standards.
FIPS 201 is the Federal Information Processing Standard covering Personal Identity Verification (PIV) for Federal employees and contractors, and includes IT/Network and physical access control. Kena Kai has partnered with Secure Network Systems (SNS) to market the DataSafe line of wallets to Government agencies under the SNS “IdShield” brand name. SNS currently has nine products approved across four FIPS 201 categories and is listed as a Qualified HSPD-12 Service Provider for a complete end-to-end solution under SIN 132-62 by the GSA.
“We’re extremely proud that our DataSafe products are the first line of wallets approved to meet the strict new Federal standards and to be working with SNS to market this technology to the Government sector. This certification also validates the public’s need for safeguarding new technologies that handle personal information that could be misused for identity theft,” offered Geb Masterson, president of Kena Kai. Originally developed for the consumer market, Kena Kai’s patent-pending DataSafe wallets use a radio frequency (RF) shielding lining to protect today’s new “contactless credit cards” from wireless identity theft.
Contactless credit cards are now being rolled-out by all the major credit card companies and use wireless technology to transit data that used to be transferred via “swiping” a card. Today, due to the public’s quest for ever increasing convenience, one no longer needs to ‘swipe’ their cards. New contactless credit cards allow one to simply wave their contactless credit card in front of a ‘reader’ to complete the transactions. Normally, for transactions under $25 the consumer does not even need to sign a receipt making this new contactless credit card technology nearly as convenient as cash. “As our society continues to looks for more ‘convenience’ we are opening ourselves up to even more threats. As technology advances – on both sides of the law – we need to be vigilant and take steps to protect our personal information,” continued Masterson.
Contactless credit cards pose a serious privacy and security risk because some information is not stored encrypted, according to a paper written by five university and industry researchers. The researchers claim that nearly 20 million radio-frequency identification (RFID) credit cards in circulation today could be vulnerable to skimming attacks, which could harvest names and credit-card details from the cards of passers-by. A skimming attack uses a normal reader, or one that has been enhanced to read cards from a greater distance, to grab unencrypted data from the card.
“Without even removing their cards from wallets or pockets, consumers can potentially see their privacy and security compromised,” Ari Juels, an author of the paper and researcher at RSA Labs, stated in a blog post. “A scanner in a crowded subway station might surreptitiously harvest credit-card data from passersby.”
The DataSafe Wallet line includes bi-folds, tri-folds, credit card wallets, women’s wallets, and passport holders in full-grain Italian leather. The DataSafe Wallets retail between $40 and $180 and are available at www.kenakai.com .
About Kena Kai
Kena Kai is a leading design boutique for stylish accessories. With a distinctive combination of style and innovation, Kena Kai designs products for people that appreciate how technology can often make their lives better.
About Secure Network Systems
Secure Network Systems is an emerging leader in the converged IT/network and physical security market with a strong background in solving difficult problems and delivering world-class solutions. SNS has distinguished itself through delivery of innovative results that encompass people, processes, and technologies, improving the overall security posture. SNS employees are dedicated to providing products and services that help protect and defend the American way of life.
Compare FIPS 201 ProductsResearch and evaluate FIPS 201 Approved Products and get the latest info on compliant credentialing systems at FIPS201.com. Click to visit FIPS201.com.
