The use of biometric technology isn't new or novel to many of us - we will provide our fingerprints for access control and identification at least once in our lives. Not all biometrics are as ubiquitous as the fingerprint, however. Another form of biometrics, facial recognition software, used by DMVs in the state of Illinois, has helped the state drastically cut down on one of its most infamous problems - drivers license fraud.

Students, faculty and staff at universities nationwide have been making the switch from social security numbers to 9 digit ID numbers for several years - now it's time for UW-Madison to trade in their cards. Some 9,000 professors, instructors and other university faculty will be turning in their old ID cards in exchange for a new one that features a 9 digit identifying ID number instead of the traditional social security number.

In a shocking blow for Chicago O'Hare's reputation, federal and local law enforcement officials arrested 24 illegal workers they suspect were using fake security badges to work in restricted areas of the O'Hare airport. The badges were actually real, but deactivated O'Hare ID cards, and police are at a loss to explain how workers still managed to gain access to sensitive areas with the non-functioning cards. Police also apprehended two managers at Ideal Staffing Solutions, Inc., the temp agency that hired illegal immigrants knowingly and provided them with the false IDs, which gave them access to purportedly secure areas around O'Hare. Most of the workers loaded freight for companies doing business with O'Hare-- including commercial airlines.

Blackboard Communications Systems, a networking tool used by universities and learning institutions around the globe, announced that it has joined forces with Sony to produce contactless student ID card systems in the United States. Blackboard is an online teaching aid, in which students and professors may share information, lecture notes, upload assignments and communicate online. Now, Blackboard is venturing into the security business. The multi-functional cards Blackboard plans to develop would combine access, data and security systems. These state-of-the-art ID cards would function as debit cards, building entrance cards, class schedule data devices and more. Professors may even use the cards as a way to take attendance for classes.

HID Global, a world leader in identification solutions, announced last week that it has merged with ASSA ABLOY Identification Technologies - ASSA ABLOY will now operate as HID Global, and the merger promises many improvements in areas like technology development and identity solution in an age where ID cards and accurate identification is becoming more and more important.

Buses, subways, and other forms of public transportation are quickly becoming more popular commute alternatives as the price of gas rises and traffic becomes more congested. State Farm Insurance in Indiana has launched a test program that will give their employees free bus fare from April 21 through May 17 - to see how many of its 14,000 Bloomington-area employees will catch on to a different type of commute

In Trinidad, tactical police offers must now wear identification badges with their photographs on display at all times. Criminals in black have been impersonating members of tactical forces, who usually participate in the execution of search warrants and raids, in order to commit crimes against unwitting civilians. From now on, legitimate tactical unit officers will travel with uniformed police, in marked vehicles. Acting Deputy Commissioner of Crime Operations Gilbert Reyes cautioned the public against cooperating with people dressed in black who do not have proper identification on display.

In many larger cities, commuting by bus or public transit is quite common. But in Des Moines, IA, most commuters still choose to drive to work and park in company lots. There are many reasons behind this; namely the planning involved in catching the bus to and from work and the pressure to have $1.25 in pocket change at all times. Employers in Des Moines like Principal Financial Group, ING and Allied/Nationwide Insurance,have introduced a program where employee ID cards also serve as bus passes for DART,the Des Moines Area Rapid Transit system. Principal's 8,000 employees and any of 1200 ING employees may board any DART bus simply by showing their ID card.

Ah, the idyllic days of summer, where the days consist of mischief, little league games, playing with friends, and swimming at the town pool. Perfect, right? Maybe for kids - but parents can quickly get worried when they don't know where little Johnny or Suzie ran off to. The Shanklin Municipal Pool in Goshen, Indiana has instituted an ID card program which city officials hope will help prevent this.

After publicly joining the governors of several other states in a clear disapproval of the REAL ID act of 2005, Washington governor Christine Gregoire has voiced support for a new state ID program that would replace the state's requirements for the REAL ID card.

Giesecke & Devrient, one of the initial companies to employ Extended Access Control (EAC) protocol in national ID systems, has declared that by 2009 all EU member states will outfit their ID cards with facial images and fingerprints. The projection was made at the CeBIT show in Hanover, where a central focus has been identity theft. The company also envisions the EU implementing a single-card standard that will be used by citizens for not only personal identification in the real world, but also in the virtual world.

Whether you notice or not, there are some major changes taking place in the ID card industry right now. New technologies, new laws and the continual push for maximum efficiency have created several new and important ID card developments in recent months. Here are some things to keep your eyes open for:

ID cards have been normal at schools for years now. Students keep them in their wallets to use in the lunch line or to check out books, visitors and staff use them for identification. They're such a normal part of most students' lives that Now, in Florida, a controversy has erupted over a teacher  who refuses to wear an ID badge.