Information and Identify Theft Legislation Impairs Industry’s Ability to Support Judicial and Legal System (News Release)   5/20/2005 - 829 views,

BALTIMORE, May 20 /PRNewswire/ — The National Council of Investigation
and Security Services (NCISS), the nation’s largest association for
investigation and security services companies, is working with Congress to
prevent any unintended damage to the court system and commerce caused by
overly broad regulatory language meant to protect personal identification
information.

“We support the protection of personal identification information and
welcome every opportunity to work with Congressional leaders to address this
important issue,” said Brian McGuinness, NCISS president and president of
McGuinness & Associates, Inc., of Miami.

NCISS and other private security organizations support these measures to
protect personal data:

* Data brokers should conduct thorough credentialing of new accounts and
those where a review indicates that a new check is in order.

* Congress should ban Internet sales of personal identification
information to the general public.

* Penalties, such as fines and jail sentences, for the misuse of personal
information should be increased.

* Data providers should be required by federal law to notify consumers
when their information has been accessed illegally.

* Congress should prohibit the use of Social Security Numbers on
identification documents such as healthcare insurance cards, drivers’
licenses and state permits.

* Investigators and other licensed professionals who can demonstrate a
need for information and have submitted to a background investigation
should have continued access to personal data.

Recent security breaches at data brokers and financial institutions have
led to calls for immediate regulatory and legislative action; private security
and investigators are fearful that in the current atmosphere public officials
may be pressured to create overly broad legislation.

Key contributions of private security and investigators in support of
federal and state judiciary systems, law enforcement, corporations and private
citizens already are in jeopardy. Unjustified data-broker restrictions now in
place make it nearly impossible for security professionals to continue to

* Locate witnesses
* Prevent and investigate fraud, theft and embezzlement
* Investigate identity theft and assist in credit recovery
* Locate missing persons, heirs and “deadbeat parents”
* Implement access control and perimeter security measures
* Protect consumers against fraud and identity theft
* Locate debtors and pension beneficiaries

The National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) is the
nation’s largest association for investigation and security services
companies, with more than 900 member firms representing nearly 15,000
investigators and security services professionals. NCISS encourages the
exchange of information and best practices to improve performance and raise
ethical standards. Founded in 1975, NCISS works closely with state
investigation associations and other security organizations to advocate and
sustain the activities of investigators and security service professionals.
For more information, please visit http://www.nciss.org.