This programme is now available to view on egovtv.tv, the online television channel for public service modernisation. It describes the role that information cards are playing in a cross-industry initiative to protect customer identities. Central and local government online service providers as well as providers in the commercial sector are taking part in the initiative.

The initiative is a response to escalating internet fraud, which is threatening online council services and customer confidence to use them. The main threat is the theft of customer identities held on council web sites, through Phishing.

Information cards operate to protect customer identities in ways similar to credit card CHIP and PIN to help prevent online ID theft. Information card identities can be issued by internet service providers, such as a local authority, and can be accessed from the customer’s PC, so allowing the customer to securely authenticate themselves by presenting the correct information card to access the online service or account.

In the programme, representatives from Government Gateway, the London Borough of Newham and Derby City Council, give their views on the security benefits that information cards can provide to public bodies and their customers.

GovTV is a dedicated web-cast television channel for governors of public bodies, council members and senior executives across all public sector organisations and is available free to an unlimited audience at anytime, at any location via the internet.

The programme can be viewed at GovTV. www.localgov.tv