Secure Services Corp. - Support
Support FAQ's Glossary of Terms

Why do we need a secure identification and communication system? Government regulations in the past few years have required an increased focus on reliable identification and protection of the integrity of communication.  This includes concerns with identity theft, terrorism, and compliance with HIPAA.  SSC gets into the mainstream of this national trend with its SHAPE CardTM It provides the security that is compatible with and in meets or exceeds current and future regulations and standards.

What is the SHAPE CardTM SSC's SHAPE Card is a unique, identity card solution for private and secure communication among individuals and those they authorize for a variety of applications.  It offers absolute identification by your fingerprint; authentication using a secure operating system with CKM protected MULTOS certification; and authorization by the world's leading technologies.

How does the SHAPE CardTM accomplish this? SSC’s SHAPE CardTM provides:
• positive patient identification and relationship through fingerprint scanning
• controls access to patient medical records and administrative information based on current and future government regulations
• confirms identity of all parties to establish proper access to records, ensuring information access, privacy and integrity

How is a SHAPE Card different fron other types of cards? Each SHAPE card contains a unique "token" or key that is used to encode your information. It is similar to a smart card but while a smart card contains an integrated circuit chip, it does not necessarily contain a token to encode and protect your information.

Is my information stored on the card? No private information is kept on SSC's  SHAPE Card. Only your name, your address, the card’s encryption number, and the digital representation of your fingerprint are stored on the card.  Your information is stored in and retrieved from a secure database only after your fingerprint identifies you and you authorize the information’s release.  Your actual fingerprint is not on the card, nor is it contained in any database – criminal or otherwise.

Where is my information stored?  Is it safe? SSC stores your information in two secure databases located in Youngstown, OH and Charlotte, NC.  These are classified as Tier One facilities, meaning that they are protected with the best security technology available.  Also, your information is stored in an encoded form, and is encoded when being moved to and from the databases.

Who has access to my information? Only people you authorize to do so can see your decoded information.  In addition, you can specify what information that person can and cannot see based on their position, such as doctor, nurse, insurance examiner, etc.

If my card is lost or stolen, can anyone use it? The SHAPE Card is a “Match on Card” system. Your card can be used only after your fingerprint matches the digital representation of your fingerprint on the card.  No one else can use it.

What is meant by “Match on Card?” A scan of your fingerprint must match a digital representation of your fingerprint stored on the card, before any procedure can take place.

Can anyone get my fingerprint off my card? Your fingerprint is not on the card or anywhere else. The card contains a digital representation of your fingerprint.  No one can recreate your fingerprint from it.

What Is MULTOS? MULTOS is the first open, high security, multi-application operating system for cards with integrated circuit chips.  It delivers high security, multiple platforms for any application. MULTOS consists of two unique technologies that deliver the secure architecture - the on-card virtual machine that securely executes applications and the MULTOS security scheme, that secures the card, application code and application data.

What does SSC do with my information?  With my fingerprint? SSC collects only the specific information of name and address needed to have the card manufactured and delivered to you personally, and to have third party service providers service your account as necessary.  SSC obligates its service providers to keep your personal information confidential, and will not share any of your information, sell your information or use your information except as required to manufacture the card and service your account.  The digital representation of your fingerprint exists only on the card, so SSC cannot (and would not) create a database of fingerprints.