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End of the Social Security Number? A White House Official Thinks So
www.wsj.com ^ | Updated Oct. 3, 2017 7:20 p.m. ET | By Yuka Hayashi

Posted on 10/04/2017 8:08:22 AM PDT by Red Badger

One possibility is using cryptographic keys, or a combination of long random numbers

WASHINGTON—The administration of President Donald Trump is exploring ways to replace the Social Security number with a safer system based on modern technology in the wake of the Equifax Inc. EFX -0.58% hack, the White House cybersecurity czar said Tuesday.

Rob Joyce, the White House’s cybersecurity coordinator, said one possibility is using cryptographic keys, or a combination of long random numbers, to unlock personal data. The merit of such numbers is that they could be revoked once they are found to be compromised, he said.

“I feel very strongly that the Social Security number has outlived its usefulness,” Mr. Joyce said at a cybersecurity conference hosted by the Washington Post. “It’s a flawed system. If you think about it, every time we use the Social Security number, we put it at risk.” He described the current system as “untenable,” noting that his own Social Security number has been compromised at least four times.

“We’ve got a modern digital age. We’ve got to find a way to use that modern cryptographic identifier to help us drive down that risk,” Mr. Joyce said, adding he has asked various departments and federal agencies to submit ideas. He didn’t provide a schedule for further policy steps.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: socialsecurity; ssa
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To: Red Badger
I believe it already is a law.

It’s just ignored...................

Right, there is current law. But it needs to be stronger, which is why I advocate for not allowing third parties to use SSNs as identifiers even if someone consents to its use for that purpose. That is a big loophole.

Of course, without any enforcement, none of this is meaningful.

41 posted on 10/04/2017 8:42:52 AM PDT by gdani (Everyone is a snowflake these days)
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To: Paladin2

It’s a government document: elect lies.


42 posted on 10/04/2017 8:43:14 AM PDT by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
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To: Red Badger

The freaking “modern digital age” is what got us in the mess we are in.


43 posted on 10/04/2017 8:45:25 AM PDT by Sequoyah101 (It feels like we have exchanged our dreams for survival. We just have a few days that don't suck.)
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To: Red Badger

Information systems will never be secure as long as people operate them. When the day comes people don’t operate them, then they won’t be safe.


44 posted on 10/04/2017 8:45:43 AM PDT by IamConservative (Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.)
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To: Paladin2

Same here and yet...

So much has become what it was not intended for.


45 posted on 10/04/2017 8:46:28 AM PDT by Sequoyah101 (It feels like we have exchanged our dreams for survival. We just have a few days that don't suck.)
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To: rktman

I don’t carry my medicare card but my Medicare Advantage card. If they did ask for my medicare card, I would show a photocopy with all but my last four digits blacked out. However, my MA card has served well for that purpose.


46 posted on 10/04/2017 8:47:12 AM PDT by CedarDave (Alt-left hates presidents pics on paper money. I'll gladly collect those offensive bills from them!)
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To: Paladin2

My SS card (typed using a typerwriter) says:

” Not for identification purposes “

That horse left the barn long ago.
Now days you can’t do squat without handing out your SS#


47 posted on 10/04/2017 8:57:57 AM PDT by oldvirginian (The older i get the less i care what people think of me, therefore the more i enjoy life.)
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To: AndyTheBear

I know how key pairs are used.

They’re used as I described.


48 posted on 10/04/2017 8:59:42 AM PDT by ConservativeWarrior (Fall down 7 times, stand up 8. - Japanese proverb)
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To: Red Badger

How about a unique, very hard to duplicate biometric card (like Mexico has) that can also be used for voting?


49 posted on 10/04/2017 9:01:15 AM PDT by ForMyChildren
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To: oldvirginian

It’s been that way for decades.

It only gets wore with all of the “last four” requests from automated systems for authorization to pay bills over the phone/net.


50 posted on 10/04/2017 9:01:37 AM PDT by Paladin2 (No spelchk nor wrong word auto substition on mobile dev. Please be intelligent and deal with it....)
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To: Red Badger
We’ve got to find a way to use that modern cryptographic identifier to help us drive down that risk,”

We could always tattoo a number on peoples' hands and foreheads. Call the system Better Efficiency Agency Security Technology.

51 posted on 10/04/2017 9:02:46 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: Red Badger

Implanted chips. Retire, go on SS, get chipped before you get your first check..

Will come in handy when you wander off from the old folks home at 4 in the morning...


52 posted on 10/04/2017 9:08:30 AM PDT by moovova
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To: Paladin2

>>My SS card (typed using a typerwriter) says:

” Not for identification purposes “
*******************************************************

We became Boiled Frogs.


53 posted on 10/04/2017 9:11:38 AM PDT by Kalamata (Inside Every Liberal is a Totalitarian Screaming to Get Out - D. Horowitz)
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To: AndyTheBear

“That would be pointless and backward. Think about how key pairs are used by ssh.”

I didn’t explain this very well. To clarify, both the .gov and individuals would have private keys.

The difference is that the .gov would use their private key to sign ALL the IDs in the system. The individual’s private key would only validate themselves.

So again, if the .gov private key is compromised, all other issued keys would need to be revoked and replaced.


54 posted on 10/04/2017 9:15:15 AM PDT by ConservativeWarrior (Fall down 7 times, stand up 8. - Japanese proverb)
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To: Paladin2

mine too i got it back in the early 50’s


55 posted on 10/04/2017 9:33:15 AM PDT by old gringo (a wise monkey never monkeys with another monkeys monkey.)
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To: Red Badger
I heard we are to get new SS cards with chips.....................

Something's fishy about that..

56 posted on 10/04/2017 9:37:44 AM PDT by Ezekiel (All who mourn(ed!) the destruction of America merit the celebration of her rebirth.)
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To: Red Badger

Seems like the underlying problem is the existence of socialist insecurity.


57 posted on 10/04/2017 9:40:01 AM PDT by gnarledmaw (Hive minded liberals worship leaders, sovereign conservatives elect servants.)
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To: Ezekiel

I’ll just dunk mine in lemon juice for a while....................


58 posted on 10/04/2017 9:44:57 AM PDT by Red Badger (Road Rage lasts 5 minutes. Road Rash lasts 5 months!.....................)
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To: Red Badger

Look at Estonia. They seem to be on the leading edge of this.


59 posted on 10/04/2017 9:51:41 AM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Progressives spent that time trying to destroy it.)
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To: AlaskaErik

Got link?..................


60 posted on 10/04/2017 9:54:53 AM PDT by Red Badger (Road Rage lasts 5 minutes. Road Rash lasts 5 months!.....................)
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