At the physical layer (tag/reader communication), industry groups and reader/tag vendors are constantly improving security in the air protocols to ensure data is not being read between the tag and the readers.

At the middleware/integration layer, companies like Sybase iAnywhere incorporate security into our products to ensure proper authorization, authentication and encryption of the data.

At the application layer, developers who build the applications themselves take advantage of the security in the infrastructure products to ensure data cannot be access maliciously.

Industry consortiums and companies need to emphasize privacy and security when designing RFID systems. This encompasses tag selection and design, use cases, integration, etc.

David: What are the big benefits of RFID and do they outweigh the risks?

Martyn: The big benefit is safety. There are many examples of how RFID improves upon safety. One is the authentication of pharmaceuticals so when you take a prescription drug you know you are taking something that has gone through the full slate of tests required by governing bodies such as the FDA.

A second is the ability to trace the origin of products such as produce, so if there happens to be contamination, the item can be traced to its origin and removed from the supply chain to prevent further contamination.

These are just a couple of examples that provide an idea of where there is a strong benefit with little risk.

David: This has been an incredibly valuable and informative interview. Let's end with some information about RFID University.

Martyn: RFID University is a program we put together in 2006 to address the desire for people to start learning about RFID and the lack of any real central place to get started. There were sites to learn about low-level RFID physics, sites that focused on standards, sites about specific hardware vendors, and sites about RFID security.

However, there were no sites that were really designed to educate on all of these things and to tie them all together, which is what a lot of business owners and developers needed.

So, the RFID University Webcast series was delivered focusing on topics including RFID 101, mobile RFID, RFID security to location tracking and so on. In addition to covering these industry topics, we used the RFID Anywhere Developer Edition software, its simulation capabilities, and lots of demos and code samples to let people learn hands-on after attending the sessions. We have already completed two semesters covering 10 unique Webcasts, all with complementary material and steps to learn more about a given topic.

That's it. Big thanks to Martyn for taking so much time to help us understand RFID. Make sure you visit Sybase iAnywhere and RFID University.

Barton Gellman is a special projects reporter for The Washington Post, following tours as diplomatic correspondent, Jerusalem bureau chief, Pentagon correspondent and D.C. Superior Court reporter. His home page is http://www.washingtonpost.com/bartongellman.