ANSI Establishes Technical Advisory Group on Fraud

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has delegated the responsibilities of developing a United States Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on “Fraud Countermeasures and Controls” to the North American Security Products Organization (NASPO). This TAG will develop both national and international standards in support of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 247. The focus and scope of the U.S. TAG and TC is in the areas of brand protection, counterfeiting, identity fraud/identity management and the resulting financial fraud. These are areas of standards development that only recently have been recognized by ANSI and ISO as important areas of interest to the international standards organizations.

NASPO has been delegated responsibility by ANSI to act as Secretariat of ISO TC 247 and the U.S. TAG Administrator. In this role NASPO has begun the process of promoting membership and sponsorship to the creation of the United States TAG. Members are being sought that have an expertise or interest in the development of standards that are focused upon the curtailment of fraud activity within the areas of scope. These individuals may be from business, consumer organizations, law enforcement, governmental organizations, associations, or academia. NASPO Chairman, Robert Sherwood stated, “In the development of this Technical Advisory Group we hope to bring together a broad spectrum of expertise to enhance the process of developing creative anti-fraud solutions. This is a new opportunity that should draw interest from every segment of the economy that is affected by fraudulent activity.”

The U.S. TAG will support the development of the international Technical Committee 247 and PC 246 “Anti-counterfeiting Tools”. The group will provide a delegation to the international meetings, create a United States position on any international proposals, and develop and submit standards to ISO TC 247 for ISO approval. These standards have the potential to effect business operations and influence policy both nationally and internationally.

At the present time 18 nations have expressed interest in participating or observing in ISO TC 247 activities. Those nations will be forming mirror committees similar to those of the United States to participate in the international standards activity of TC 247.

Further information regarding the United States Technical Advisory Group or ISO TC 247 “Fraud countermeasures and controls” can be found by contacting Michael O’Neil, U.S. TAG Administrator, mikeo@naspo.info or visit its Web site at; www.ustag247.org.