Where is Security in RFID End User Survey?
Contributed by Joanne C. Kelleher
I just received an email from ABI Research announcing their Annual RFID End User Survey top line results.
Good news: “Nearly half (49%) of those respondents currently using, deploying, evaluating, or piloting RFID report that they expect their RFID budgets to increase in 2010.”
Missing: The issue of RFID security.
This topic wasn’t listed in the table of contents, list of tables, list of charts, questions this report answers or the press release. One of the applications covered is Security/Access Control Applications, but that doesn’t count.
At $5,000 I did not purchase this 326 page report. If anyone has, please add a comment and let us know if RFID security is hidden inside.
Report Description: http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1003626-012210
Press release: https://www.abiresearch.com/press/1564-RFID+End+User+Survey+Results%3A+Nearly+Half+to+Increase+Budgets+in+2010
Updated 2/3/2010:
Survey author Michael Liard added his response in the comments below.
This post also appeared on the RFID Security Alliance’s LinkedIn site and Daniel Mullen, Executive Director at AIM – Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, added his comment there – http://www.linkedin.com/newsArticle?viewDiscussion=&articleID=104977101&gid=62849
Michael Liard wrote:
Joanne:
Thanks for your question/comment. I am the author of the report. I am pleased to convey that we did ask about security. More specifically, we asked about security in terms of level of importance during transponder selection process (at various RFID usage stages – deployed, piloting, evaluating, or in-progress with deployment). There were 10 transponder selection criteria in our survey. Respondents were asked to rate the level of importance for each on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being not important at all and 5 being extremely important. These are the 10 selection criteria:
Performance – Read Accuracy
Performance – Read Range
Cost/Price
Durability/Ruggedness
Adhesion/Tag Attachment
Form Factor/Design
Reusability
Read-write Capabilities
Security/Encryption
Higher Data Capacity/Memory
Security/Encryption average 3.49 out of 5.00 among all respondents, ranking 9th overall. However, security/encryption scored higher among those piloting RFID technology (4.00 out of 5.00), suggesting RFID security is more top of mind earlier in the deployment cycle (during piloting).
It is also important to point out that this was NOT a consumer survey. Our research in this area suggests a higher security concern among non-enteprise users/everyday consumers.
The report has nearly 300 exhibits and is quite comprehensive. The full list of tables is available for viewing on our website. Thanks.
Posted 27 Jan 2010 at 11:29 am ¶
Bert Moore wrote:
Mike — perhaps the take-away from the higher level of security consciousness among those piloting RFID is that the message is finally getting through that security is important in any RFID implementation.
Posted 11 Mar 2010 at 8:24 pm ¶
Conrad wrote:
Is there any published reliable data on the actual impact of the clonable classic cards? Anything about the number and dollar amount of loss from cloned cards? Magstripe bank cards have been clonable for years but the risk is very manageable.
Posted 23 Apr 2010 at 12:37 pm ¶