The Coalition for a Secure Driver's License presents Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles with Homeland Security Award

WASHINGTON, July 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for a Secure Driver's License (CSDL), a Washington D.C. based non-profit, presented its Homeland Security Award to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) at the Government Center Auditorium in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 26, 2010. The awards ceremony was streamed live to all 140 license branches to recognize the hardworking motor vehicle personnel across the state.

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The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is being recognized for advances in driver's license security and applying new procedures to confirm the identities of applicants. These new Indiana procedures align with the federal regulations issued under Public Law 109-13.

The award recognizes the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles for their SecureID initiative that "Aligns driver's license procedures with the eighteen Interim Benchmarks of the federal regulation implementing Title II of the Real ID Act of 2005." It also highlights that the Bureau's program, "Adds security features into the Indiana driver's licenses and identification cards to provide the highest levels of counterfeit resistance," and "Incorporates high security standards for the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles records system that protects the privacy and personal information of all Indiana driver's license and identification card customers." Concurrent with these process enhancements, the Bureau also launched a statewide public information campaign that included letters to customers with more detailed information, media outreach, and online updates.

"Indiana's focus on a secure credential is a benefit to all Hoosiers," stated Indiana BMV Commissioner Andy Miller. "The credential no longer is used exclusively as evidence a person can drive; it is now the most commonly used form of identification. As the agency issuing the identification, we need to ensure that each person is who they say they are. We greatly appreciate the recognition from the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License and will continue to provide secure credentials, while maintaining our commitment to customer service."

Donald Kendall, Chairman of the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License Board of Directors, said, "As chairman of the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, I'm pleased to make this award and to recognize the important security improvements achieved by Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Through its Secure ID initiative, the state of Indiana has achieved the multiple objectives of building superior counterfeit deterrence into the physical security of driver's licenses, better authentication of applicants' identities, and the protection of cardholder's personal information. In addition, Indiana's driver's licenses meet or exceed federal minimum standards for domestic travel identification, and the 2011 deadline for REAL ID compliance will not inconvenience Indiana residents."  

Based on this year's annual assessment of anti-counterfeiting and anti-fraud protections for Indiana's driver's licenses and IDs, CSDL is proud to present this award to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles for providing the residents of Indiana with a secure and reliable form of personal identification. Indiana is one of 11 states that are authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to affix the "gold star" on their driver's licenses and IDs, denoting compliance with the eighteen Interim Benchmarks of PL 109-13's regulations.

CSDL President Brian Zimmer noted, "Indiana's successful security improvements were accompanied by timely public explanations as to why and how the new procedures are necessary to guard against identity theft and fraud. Indiana BMV gained public support by posting information about the identity fraud imposters detected through the facial recognition system. The arrests of identity thieves caught through Indiana BMV's strong privacy protective methods gained national news attention."

CSDL continuously collects data from each state and territory motor vehicle agency with a focus on identity vetting processes that will prevent identity fraud, and physical security features of each motor vehicle agency's driver's license and identification card that will prevent counterfeiting.

The Coalition for a Secure Driver's License (CSDL) is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, not for profit, crime prevention, education charity, supported by donor contributions from across the United States. Our slogan, "Working to protect the identity of every American" embodies our commitment to higher standards for both government and private entities that issue identity credentials, especially state agencies that issue driver's licenses and ID cards. CSDL undertakes research projects addressing best practices for DMVs, compliance with federal laws and regulations, identity fraud prevention and related identity management topics. CSDL provides research results and educational programs to the public and to state and federal officials.

Details of Indiana's award are available on CSDL's website at www.secure-license.org.

SOURCE Coalition for a Secure Driver's License