Radio Frequency IDentification

RFID Technology

Presented by Elaine ContantUniversity of Arkansas Libraries – FayettevilleDecember, 2008

Radio-frequency identification [From Wikipedia]

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic

identification method, relying on storing and remotely

retrieving data using devices called RFID tags. The

technology requires an RFID reader and an RFID tag. An RFID

tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a

product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification

and tracking using radio waves. Most RFID tags contain at

least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and

processing information, modulating and demodulating a

radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions.

The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the

signal.

There are generally two types of RFID tags: active RFID tags,

which contain a battery, and passive RFID tags, which have

no battery.

  An EPC RFID tag used by Wal-Mart.

Tags currently being used in Libraries.

Tags can contain vital informationWithout including ‘security information’.

The tag information must be related to the Library’s database system so records can be updated.

Innovative uses a third party software program to relate the information on the tag to the Library’s database system.

Regulation and standardization

There is no global public body that governs the frequencies used

for RFID. In principle, every country can set its own rules for

this.

The frequencies used for RFID in the USA are currently

incompatible with those of Europe or Japan. Furthermore, no

emerging standard has yet become as universal as the barcode.

Major Concerns and Security Risks

A MAJOR concern is the issue of privacy.

Because RFID tags can in theory be scanned and read

from up to 350 feet sensitive information could be

collected from an unwilling source.

Library RFID tags do not contain any patron information

and they use a frequency only readable from

approximately ten feet. One simple option is to only let

the book transmit a code, that will only mean anything in

conjunction with the library's database.

Stolen books could be traced even outside the library.

Removing of the tags could be made difficult if they are so

small that they fit invisibly inside a (random) page,

possibly put there by the publisher.

Major Concerns and Security Risks

RFID tags become hacker target

LAS VEGAS--Privacy advocates may not be the only people taking issue with radio-frequency identification tags--merchants may have

problems with a lack of security.

Low-cost RFID tags--many of which are smaller than a nickel and cost less too--are already being added to packaging by retailers to keep track of inventory, but could be abused by hackers and tech-savvy shoplifters. While the technology mostly threatens consumer privacy, it could allow thieves to fool merchants by changing the identity of goods, he said. "This is a huge risk for companies," Grunwald said during a discussion at the Black Hat Security Briefings here. "It opens a whole new area for shoplifting as well as chaos attacks."

Major Concerns and Security Risks

RFID data may be read-only and in some cases read/write, but it lives in the same environment as viruses and worms that permeate the Net.

Srini Krishnamurthy - Airbee Wireless

Major Concerns and Security Risks

Ford chose weak security for its keys

These have not been particularly good days for the RFID business. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and RSA Laboratories have shown that the RFID used in the SpeedPass and in the keys for some Ford vehicles can be spoofed reasonably.

The researchers demonstrated that the RFID chips used weak encryption keys that can be broken within a few hours. Imagine thieves scanning for car owners' encrypted keys while standing next to the car owners on elevators. The thieves then could break the encrypted keys and steal the car using normal car burglary tools, knowing that they could fool the electronic interlock into thinking they had the right key.

Major Concerns and Security Risks

Libraries: Cost Time Procedures

Collection is too large to convert and tag each

item in collection

Already have procedures in place / staff trained

It would take years for the faculty/ staff / student

/

patron ID changeover

Inventory systems – especially “on time” ordering

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has significant

value for inventory systems. Notably, the technology provides an

accurate knowledge of the current inventory. In an academic study

performed at Wal-Mart, RFID reduced Out-of-Stocks by 30 percent

for products selling between 0.1 and 15 units a day. Other benefits

of using RFID include the reduction of labor costs, the simplification

of business processes, and the reduction of inventory inaccuracies.

In 2004, Boeing integrated the use of RFID technology to help

reduce maintenance and inventory costs on the Boeing 787

Dreamliner. With the high costs of aircraft parts, RFID technology

allowed Boeing to keep track of inventory despite the unique sizes,

shapes and environmental concerns. During the first six months

after integration, the company was able to save $29,000 in just

labor.

Current Uses

Libraries:

Check in / check out

Book check in – conveyor belt

distribution

Current Uses

Large shipments

Materials that demand special

attention

Inventory

New book orders

Possible Uses

RFID Technology

Our challenge:

How can we best utilize this upcoming technological tool in our Libraries other than tagging millions of items?