New Service lapel pins will come with a secret security feature

· Just about everyone knows US Secret Service agents for the pins they wear on their lapels. They are one component of the larger system used to identify team members and are as tied to the agency’s image as dark suits, earpieces, and mirrored sunglasses. Yet, few people know what those very recognizable lapel pins are hiding.

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· An acquisitions notice filed by the Secret Service on Nov. 26 says the agency is planning to award a contract for “specialized lapel emblem identification pins” to one company

· Each one contains a tiny RFID transponder chip that links to an agency database listing all the necessary information needed to verify that the person with the badge is the one authorized to be carrying it and that the badge itself is authentic.

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· A tamper-proof SmartShield® RFID chip is embedded in the back of the badge allowing tracking and tracing the history of the badge.  

o Identity authentication and inventory control; scan to identify officer and equipment (weapon, uniform, vehicle) assigned to an officer.

o Allow access into a building.

· Unique QR Code woven into each uniform.

o The public can scan with smart phone to identify an officer.

o Authorized personnel can scan to access officer’s private data through password protected encoded IP address.