November 25, 2014
A new firmware version of D3.15.2-5005 is NOW AVAILABLE for Datacard Printers that have the D3 main control board installed, and firmware version D2.11.56-5001 for systems with a D2 main control board, with a patch fix for the ShellShock vulnerability.
To acquire these firmware update files, please Contact US.
We will provide you with the appropriate firmware file for your specific Datacard printer, along with instructions on applying this update.
November 21, 2014
DKC Associates had a pleasingly successful time at the annual GTEC exhibition last month. We displayed to the public the various services DKC Associates can offer organizations in regards to the Ultimate Security Identification Programs we specialize in. We received great feedback on our booth and our services as a whole.
We would like to thank GTEC for organizing such a successful and interesting event. We met a lots of great people, existing and new clients, and can't wait to see everyone again next year. We met and mingled with some of the most influential people in the Canadian Technology industry. We will continue to help organizations minimize personal security risk with our constantly improving products and services. We strive to make our services simple, easy to use and affordable in securing your ID technology.
November 20, 2014
The New Datacard® DuraShield™ Holographic Overlay Provides Premium Durability and Security
Entrust Datacard announced the addition of the Datacard® DuraShieldTM Holographic Overlay to their secure supply product line, which offers four times the durability of traditional topcoats – extending the life of ID cards up to five years, and reducing the cost of card reissuance.
A critical element of all issuance programs is ensuring the right choice of supplies that not only deliver high-quality results, but also optimize the performance of cards and systems. The DuraShield holographic overlay does this by protecting important elements of ID cards using a thin film consisting of layers of unique polymer coatings cured with an ultra violet light. These coatings are formulated to achieve an optimum level of cross-linking that enables exceptional durability and plasticizer resistance – shielding cards against chemicals, moisture and abrasions.
A variety of security technologies are also available within the DuraShield holographic overlay including edge-to-edge coverage that is more resistant to removal than competing patch laminates, providing tamper evidence which deters against fraud; as well as overt, covert and forensic-level generic and customizable-holographic features.
As part of the Entrust Datacard end-to-end identity solutions, the DuraShield holographic overlay joins the Datacard® DuraShieldTM Clear Overlay to provide customers affordable options that fit their budget and application needs. The DuraShield overlays are available exclusively through authorized resellers of Entrust Datacard, and are certified to work with Datacard® desktop laminating printers and tactile impression features – protecting the overall investment for ID programs and enhancing the overall security of cards.
“We are pleased to add the DuraShield holographic overlay offering to our secure supplies portfolio,” said Connell Smith, vice president of desktop and supplies product marketing for Entrust Datacard. “This product hits a valuable sweet spot in the marketplace; it offers superior durability unmatched by standard topcoats at an economical price point. This will enable our customers to issue highly secure ID cards with a multi-year card life ultimately reducing overall program costs by decreasing the volume of reissues.”
October 06, 2014
Datacard Group is aware of a recent security vulnerability report called Shellshock, and we are actively investigating the potential impact of this vulnerability on Datacard® solutions. Below is what we know so far; however, we will be continually providing updates to you as we learn more.
What is Shellshock?
Last week, a security vulnerability called Shellshock was made public (CVE-2014-6271). Shellshock is a nickname for a bug in the Bash (Bourne Again Shell) command-line interpreter, also known as a shell.
Simply put, the Bash bug is in a piece of software code that is built into nearly 70 percent of computers, and users that are connected to the Internet are the most exposed to remote exploitation. In addition, operating systems that run Linux, UNIX, BSD and Apple's OSX (since 10.3) are the most vulnerable and are likely to be targeted.
This flaw has been present since 1989, but only recently found. The concern is the Shellshock exploit could allow a hacker to load malicious software onto a computer or system that has this bug. The Bash bug then allows an attacker to perform the same commands as a legitimate user. This gives a successful attacker the ability to do nearly anything that a user can do. An attacker that has access to a remote vector will be able to remotely inject Bash commands on the system without authentication.
Are Datacard® Solutions Affected By Shellshock?
Datacard Group is proactively monitoring the situation. As of today, we believe most Datacard solutions are not vulnerable to Shellshock, including our software applications. However, we have identified products where vulnerability may be present.
Some Datacard solutions have an embedded version of Linux as part of their operating system and therefore could be affected. These products include:
What Is My Risk With a Datacard Product?
For systems that are connected via a USB port, there appears to be no concern because it is not connected to the Internet. For those that are connected using an Ethernet connection and connected to the Internet on a corporate network, most are used behind a corporate firewall, making it very difficult for an external hacker to get access to a network and then access to the machine. However, due to the use of embedded Linux in the Datacard products listed above, the possibility that malicious code could be loaded into a system cannot be ruled out. Each customer should assess their risk based on their security environment.
What is Datacard Group doing about this Issue?
For Datacard products that have been identified as vulnerable, our engineers are working on firmware updates for the SD Series, CD Series, CE Series and CR500 systems that will address this vulnerability. We will keep you informed as firmware updates become available.
SafeNet, the HSM vendor, has already provided a patch for their product to fix the ShellShock vulnerability. Datacard Group has successfully tested this patch with our software products.
When and Where Can I Receive Datacard Firmware Updates?
Within the next few weeks, we expect to have the firmware update to be available for the SD Series, CD Series, CE Series and CR500. We will provide ongoing updates on how to access and download this firmware update as soon as it’s available.
For further questions, please contact DKC Associates.
September 21, 2014
September 15, 2014
The new revolutionary HDP8500LE Industrial Card Laser Engraver is the Ultimate Fraud Protection Solution. This spectacular new machine promises to make forgery and misuse of high-technology cards next to impossible. The HDP8500LE is being introduced by HID Global and perfectly integrates with the HPD8500 Card Printer/Encoder and Card Lamination modules, thus allowing for increased security features. The combination of high-security laser engraved personalization and superior High Definition Printing increases credentials as well as organizational safety and security in the realm of identification. This new Industrial Card Laser Engraver is arguably the most versatile laser engraving technology in the history of card identity systems. It is paving the way to allowing the forgery of cards inconcievable by introducing multiple personalization attributes. Any pursuit by hackers to alter the engraved information will result in very visible physical card damage, and thus allows for companies to be on high alert.
Superior HID Global technology was used in the making of the HDP8500LE to ensure that permanent engraving produces unalterable data which is printed onto cards that require the highest level of security. Driver’s licenses and various other government issued identification cards will have their security needs met by the HDP8500LE when it is used in conjunction with long lasting products, such as UltraCard PC cards and high durable HDP film. The products which can be created using the the revolutionary HDP8500LE Industrial Card Laser Engraver include national IDs, border crossing cards, voter registration cards, Service Bureau ID products, university student ID cards and much more. This ultimate fraud protection solution is not to be missed.
DKC will have the HDP8500LE Industrial Card Laser Engraver on site at the GTEC show in Ottawa Ontario October 27th-30th with the option to rent out its services or purchase! Be sure to visit us at booth #424.
For more information on the GTEC show, visit http://www.gtec.ca
You definitely don't want to miss out on seeing the features this device has to offer in actions!
Visit us now at http://idcardscanada.com
September 10, 2014
HID Global®, a worldwide leader in secure identity solutions, today announced that The Federal Republic of Somalia took another step toward the establishment of law and order with the launch of two new citizen ID programs: a new national ID card and e-passport.
The introduction of these secure identity documents and supporting solutions will help the government of Somalia in its efforts to restore law and order, enhance economic development, and improve the standard of living for the citizens of Somalia. The national citizen ID documents improve the security situation in the country by enabling law enforcement agencies to verify citizens’ identities, while the e-passport facilitates international travel across borders. The new electronic passport is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, ensuring that Somali citizens are carrying a fraud-resistant identity document that complies with current international standards.
“We are excited for the future of Somalia and appreciate the government’s commitment to the highest international security standards,” said Sheila Jamal, President of Al Madina Group. “We look forward to a continued partnership with HID Global, whose expertise and flexibility enabled the effective design and integration of advanced secure ID technologies and systems in a short-time frame.”
HID Global will manufacture and provide highly secure chip-enabled electronic passport covers and a custom national ID card with multiple security features. “We are proud to contribute to this important program and to partner with Al Madina Group, whose professional project methodology, flexibility and customer orientation has led to a seamless implementation,” said Rob Haslam, Vice President of Government ID Solutions with HID Global.
The solutions provided to Somalia have applications in a number of African as well as Middle-Eastern countries, given the need to constantly upgrade their Identity Management Solutions.
HID Global®
Austin Texas. April 21st, 2014
September 02, 2014
If you are a small business, it can be difficult to ensure that your IT is safe and secure, yet cost effective at the same time. Data security is important no matter how small or big your business is. Hackers will go after any size business at this day in age. In fact, hackers often use their skills on small business’ before moving on to larger organizations, in order to gain experience and practice. Furthermore, viruses, phishing and worms can affect any individual and any business. If your business’ IT is not sufficiently protected, you may potentially suffer from a total loss of data, which would be absolutely catastrophic for most businesses. If an IT system goes down, it means a very large amount of data is lost and productivity goes way down, thus wasting a lot of time and money. For instance, to get an organization back up and running after being hacked, a small business owner can potentially spend tens of thousands of dollars. This can be detrimental.
The first step for small sized business’s to take in order to prevent lost or stolen data is to comprehend exactly what the threats are. Spyware, spam, worms, viruses and Trojans can all result in a disastrous breach of security and lost data. Spam is an especially huge problem for both individuals and business’s, and it can lead to identity and financial theft and fraud, as well as malware infection, and of course loss of data. Thus, it is advised that you never open an email from an unknown sender, and especially do not open unfamiliar attachments. Caution must be used by your employees when visiting all websites as well as when downloading all documents and software. The most innocent looking file can contain malicious coding, and easily enter your network when downloaded. Just one wrong download can lead to an entire network at risk of crashing, thus it is essential to educate your users and employees on specific policies and procedures which can be made in order to be safe. The importance of exercising caution cannot be stressed enough. Implement strategies which ensure the proper way to use the company computers and how to safely download programs and applications. These strategies may save your business.
It can be somewhat difficult to ensure your employees exercise IT security as well as take it seriously. Therefore, you must ensure that your IT operations staff is technically competent, and up to date on cutting-edge security programs and features. At DKC we can offer you multiple security features to ensure your peace of mind. Your employees are the ones who have the power to keep your data safe. Recommendations on how to protect passwords and other security features are usually given by good, useful and reliable IT support staff. Be sure to inform yourself on the cost of any solution provider you hire, especially for help desk support and emergency fraud situations, as these potential costs may override the benefits of low upfront prices.
Your data is so vital to your business that it is the life force, heart and soul of your business, big or small. Taking the necessary steps to ensure its security enables you to be confident in the growth and success of your company. Let DKC Associates help keep your organizations data safe, as we have vast knowledge and experience in IT security.
August 21, 2014
Security badges and ID card technology
At this day in age, the need for security in public facilities has increased and the days of name tags and visitor log in books are long gone. Having strangers lurking around your facility can be unnerving. In order to provide an adequate level of security, you need to be able to quickly identify the people in your surroundings. We can help you do that at DKC associates. These days, most larger facilities require that a Photo ID be presented at the time of a visitors arrival. Their information is entered into the system and an ID badge is then issued. With the new introduction of self-expiring visitor ID badges that we offer, badges issued will now be able to expire automatically, as soon as the visitation is up. It all makes so much sense! Visitor ID badges generally contain a special ink which is activated as soon as the badge is issued, and this allows for a higher level of security. DKC is offering Fargo DTC’s photo ID software program which is easy to use and ensures that the badges are properly protected from any possible attempts of duplication or tampering, which are both illegal. The badges offered by Fargo DTC can be configured in multiple different forms as well as time increments. For facilities with a large number of visitors, this photo ID software is very much cost effective. Your company can order custom printed badges from DKC associates with your company name and logo on them, courtesy of Fargo DTC. An additional interesting feature that can be added to the badges is that they can be manufactured so that as soon as they are exposed to daylight, they immediately turn blue, thus making it impossible for someone to leave the facility and then return. When it comes to secure card printing, we offer a variety of modifications that can meet the specific requirements for your secure ID badge program. These include laminating card printers that apply holographic overlays to each printed card as well as built in watermark systems whose systems are budget friendly. Clearly, we offer plenty of options when it comes to security badges and ID card technology, and it has never been more affordable. For more information, check out www.dkcassociates.ca.
August 11, 2014
Interested in Identity Biometrics?
Biometrics, when referring to identity, computers and security, is the technology that enables the identification of a human being by their biological features. Identification of a person to a computer or building, for example, can be done through scanning their fingerprints or listening to their individual voices. The main advantage of biometrics is that the measurement of biological features is far more difficult to fake, and thus less fraud occurs. Various types of biometric devices exist; for example face scanners, hand scanners, finger scanners, retina or iris scanners and voice scanners. Fingerprint recognition is a popular form of biometric device and uses the identification of the ridges and valleys, which are found on the surface tips of an individual human's finger. Finger geometry recognition is also interesting because it uses the 3D geometry of the finger to confirm the identity of an individual.
For more on Identity biometrics, you can check us out at www.idcardscanada.com or give us a call toll free at 1-877-237-7768, we are always happy to help!
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