Tennessee tries out green-card authentication

Tennessee is testing a green-card authentication system produced by BSI2000 Inc., officials of the Lakewood, Colo., company announced this week. The company develops integrated optical card-based systems and technology.

The Tennessee Driver's License Issuance Division of the Department of Safety is conducting field trials of the company's patent-pending VERUS2000 green-card authentication system.

Tennessee issues "driving certificates" to resident aliens who present a green card demonstrating that they are legal U.S. residents. Many states have similar programs.

VERUS2000 is designed to confirm the authenticity of green cards as a way of deterring potential terrorists from getting state government-issued photo identification documents by presenting counterfeit green cards, according to BSI2000 officials.

BSI2000 developed the system to detect counterfeit green cards being used as primary identification by employees at secure facilities.

"Several of the 9/11 terrorists, for example, were operating with counterfeit identification documents," said Jack Harper, president and chief executive officer of BSI2000. Harper said he is seeing significant interest in the technology in the United States and abroad.

Denver International Airport is also using the VERUS2000 green card authentication system in an on-site field trial, according to the company.