Identity management systems are essential to U.S. homeland and economic security. Systemic fragility has been exploited to facilitate terrorist travel and criminal evasion. The widespread dissemination and use of fraudulent identity documents exponentially complicates efforts to target terrorists and other persons who pose a threat to homeland security. Underage drinkers and illegal immigrants are common supporters and users of the fraudulent document industry. No single source can determine the net effect that these entities have in degrading identity system utility. Identity verification systems are large networks, susceptible to degradation, and vital to other sectors of critical infrastructure. Current attempts to analyze identity systems are segmented and fractured. Analyzing these systems as a comprehensive critical infrastructure provides a necessary framework of language and concepts that are familiar to policymakers. This thesis is focused on providing a thorough understanding of the vulnerabilities associated with weak identity systems and analyzing identity systems as a critical infrastructure.

Subjects: Identity System; Identity System Fragility; Identity Theft; Identity Fraud; Terrorist Travel; Organized Crime; Critical Infrastructure; International Travel; U.S.-VISIT; Passport Fraud; Drivers License Fraud; REAL ID Act of 2005; Illegal Immigration.