September 15, 2006
Identity Stronghold Sleeve To Protect US Government RF ID Cards
All US government agencies will be issuing PIV (Personal Identity Verification) smart ID cards to all employees. To protect those cards, they've selected the Secure Sleeve [Contactless News] from Identity Stronghold. This sleeve is one of several similar security offerings from different companies that are designed to protect RFID smartcards and e-Passports from unauthorized readers. The general method of security used in these sleeves employs the principle of a Faraday Cage, which forms a field that blocks out radio frequency signals when an id card is not in use.
While there are small handful of companies offering these "secure" smartcard sleeves, and Identity Stronghold seems to have come out ahead so far in the race, we'll probably see more companies offering such accessories. If you prefer DIY stuff, Instructables has instructions for making your own shielding wallet. Unfortunately, according to a comment by a reader there, it doesn't block EM (electro-magnetic) signals in the RF range. But it might protect your flash memory, etc. Alternately, you could take some of the tin foil wrapped around your noggin and use it on your RFID smart contactless credit card.
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