Let's talk about how we can do #NIDS on the cheap, how to get it done with minimal changes to laws and minimal spend on tech. If done right, NIDS can be implemented in months, not years, and produce immediate benefits. @AndrewHolnessJM @NestaJA @darylvazmp @annmarievazja 1/ https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver/status/1199797320201752577

The first step is to select a national ID number and for this we use TRN. Pretty much everyone in Jamaica already has a TRN, including non-citizens, and so for a unique number this is usable. Companies already use TRN to identify people so no change necessary for them. 2/

The next step is we link the existing Voter ID database managed by EOJ with the TRN database, and we do this by adding a TRN field to the Voter ID database. We don't populate this field by default, only if the voter presents his Voter ID and TRN and signs up for NIDS. 3/

For authentication we roll out SecurID tokens like what NCB and other banks use, which we use instead of biometrics to avoid all the legal issues around that. This satisfies the requirement for strong authentication and has an added advantage it can do remote authentication 4/

By using token authentication instead of biometrics we alleviate all the concerns about police misusing the fingerprint database, illicit access, etc. while still providing a mechanism for strong authentication and keeping the whole system voluntary. 5/

For most people, the SecurID token will just be an app on their phone, something they always carry with them anyway and so it is no burden on the average consumer. 6/

The goal of NIDS should not be something out of George Orwell's 1984, it should simply be a unique way to identify people, if they want to subscribe, with security to prevent people from impersonating each other. The quick and cheap solution I've described here does that. 7/7