For businesses and private organisations the National Identity Scheme will:
This will mean, for example, that mortgage or loan agreements can better be protected and mobile phone retailers can more easily check the identities of those entering into contracts. (See a case study that illustrates this benefit.) Organisations will be given a ‘transaction reference number’ each time they check a customer’s identity so they can keep an audit log.
The scheme will help employers generally in vetting new employees to ensure they are who they claim to be. For certain jobs it is important to check the applicant does not have a criminal record, for example. In future this can be done by using their Identity Registration Number (IRN) to check police records. Also, since foreign nationals staying in the UK for more than three months will need to register with the National Identity Scheme, potential employers will be able easily to check their employment status.
Organisations will be able to choose the verification method most suitable for the transaction. This may be as simple as looking at the photograph on the ID card to see if it matches the cardholder. For transactions where a higher level of security is needed, it will be possible to check other biometrics or known information by phone or online.
Many businesses need a secure way to allow employees or business partners to enter buildings and protected areas or to access facilities or documents. The ID card could provide a low-cost and universal system for access control.
