Embracing Digital Licences: A Safer Frontier for Identity Protection

In a recent study conducted by a cybersecurity expert from Melbourne's RMIT University, the verdict is in – digitized driver's licenses are emerging as a more secure alternative compared to their traditional physical counterparts. The encouraging findings arrive just in time as Victorian motorists join the ranks of other states in adopting this advanced technology, with the option to carry their licenses on their smartphones.

RMIT's Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation lecturer, Arathi Arakala, highlighted the significant advantages of digital licenses, emphasizing not only their convenience but also their enhanced security features. The reassuring news follows a successful trial of the technology in the regional city of Ballarat, paving the way for Victorian drivers to soon have the option to access their licenses digitally.

According to Arakala, the digital license is a safer choice when it comes to protecting one's identity. She remarked, "Victorians are eager to adopt the new ID technology where their license is digitally accessible via the Victorian Government’s dedicated phone apps." The pilot rollout in Ballarat, which began in mid-2023, witnessed over 2500 local license holders participating, underscoring the enthusiasm for this innovative approach.

The primary motivation for this shift towards digital licenses is not just user convenience but a proactive response to the rising cases of identity theft and fraud. Arakala explained, "Victims of identity theft and fraud have reported stolen or lost driver license cards as the most common identity document used by perpetrators." Digital licenses address this concern by incorporating several security features, including the requirement for a PIN or face ID to access the app, enhancing user privacy and security against fraud.

Despite the promising aspects of this technological advancement, Arakala acknowledged that rigorous penetration testing had revealed some vulnerabilities in the system. However, she assured that these identified 'common attack points' would be thoroughly studied and remediated before the full rollout of the service.

"The Victorian Government claims that the Service Victoria app and myVicRoads apps that will house the digital licenses are going through rigorous penetration testing during the pilot phase," Arakala stated. "We hope common attack points will be studied and fixed before the full rollout this year."

As the digital revolution continues to transform various aspects of our lives, the move towards digitized driver's licenses in Victoria reflects a forward-thinking approach to identity protection. With the promise of enhanced security and user convenience, this shift signals a positive step towards a safer and more technologically advanced future for identification systems.