Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Implements RSA Security Digital Certificates for U.K. Digital Tachograph System
RSA Keon(R) digital certificate management software ensures the validity of truck and bus driver data for new smart-card based system
BEDFORD, Mass., Oct. 21 -- RSA Security Inc. , the most trusted name in e-security(R), today announced that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the United Kingdom has selected RSA Keon(R) digital certificate management software to provide the authentication features for its new digital tachograph card system, a device for recording the speed and distance of a heavy goods vehicle.
By Summer 2004 all new commercial road haulage vehicles in the European Union (EU) are required to be fitted with a secure, digital tachograph system in an effort to better enforce European law, improve road safety and maintain fair competition. Based on smart cards, motion sensors and digital units, the new system will replace the conventional paper discs and mechanical tachograph units that have been used to monitor drivers of trucks and buses to date.
As the U.K. Member State Certification Authority, DVLA will use RSA Keon software to issue digital certificates to ensure the authenticity of vehicle units and cards, and provide the underlying security for the digital tachograph system. Digital signatures will be used to sign data exchanges and guarantee the validity of the information - which includes details of the driver, hours driven, rest periods, distance and speed travelled - in the event that the electronic records are presented to courts for the prosecution of drivers' hours infringements.
Working with IBM/Fujitsu, DVLA is the first transport authority to implement a fully operational certificate authority in compliance with the EU digital tachograph mandate. RSA Security adapted its RSA Keon digital certificate management solution to support the specialized certificates required by the EU specifications.
The new digital format provides many other benefits, including the ability to apply European transport legislation seamlessly across all member states, which is particularly useful to vehicles crossing international borders. New trucks and buses will be equipped with a new digital tachograph unit that will be integrated and calibrated to a motion sensor on the vehicle. Each driver will receive a personal smart card to insert into the unit when driving, so that details of the journey are recorded.
"This is a real and practical application of PKI technology. The sophisticated security behind it is completely transparent to the drivers, which makes the new smart-card based system very easy to use," commented Jason Lewis, vice president of product management and marketing at RSA Security. "The success of DVLA's project is encouraging for other EU member states that have yet to implement a digital tachograph system. Rather than develop their own CA to the EU specification, other member states could benefit from RSA Security's compliant reference design".
About RSA Security, Inc.
With more than 13,000 customers around the globe, RSA Security provides interoperable solutions for establishing online identities, access rights and privileges for people, applications and devices. Built to work seamlessly and transparently in complex environments, the company's comprehensive portfolio of identity and access management solutions - including authentication, Web access management and developer solutions - is designed to allow customers to confidently exploit new technologies for competitive advantage. RSA Security's strong reputation is built on its history of ingenuity and leadership, proven technologies and long-standing relationships with more than 1,000 technology partners. For more information, please visit www.rsasecurity.com.
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For more information: Roger Fortier Tim Powers McGrath/Power Public Relations RSA Security Inc. (408) 727-0351 (781) 515-6212 rogerf@mcgrathpower.com tpowers@rsasecurity.com