Conformity Magazine - October 2008 - (Page 29)

be realized using specific platforms and architectures. With MDA, functionality and behavior are modeled once and only once. There are some very logical divisions that, if defined under an MDA, could release powerful new capabilities for elections and voting systems. Both OASIS and the IEEE have worked on standards defining electronic data interchange formats for voting system. These efforts contain within them the common data exchange points in all voting systems, and define common formats for those data records. The uniqueness of the voting booth situation has been discussed. If, under an MDA, standard and vendorindependent file formats were specified for both ballots and cast vote records, and the interface from the voter’s interface were standardized, a number of possibilities would be created. For example, during certification testing, voting machines could be presented with hundreds, even millions, of ballots, and simulated votes could be cast with the resulting cast vote records checked for accuracy. Currently, this type of testing is performed by hand, and only a small number of ballots and votes are used in testing a system. This testing can miss infrequent errors or errors that only result when large numbers of votes or certain patterns of votes are cast. Being able to create vendor-independent, automated tests would allow much more thorough testing. Further, if the test tools are vendor-independent, then the evaluation of vendor systems would be more equitable because they would all be subjected to the same testing. Another possibility created would be to have software provided by independent companies performing different functions and cross checking each other. For example, software from one company could present the ballot to the voter and record the voter’s choices. Software from a different company could then present the choices on the cast vote record to the voter for verification. Using encrypted signatures each piece of software could separately sign the cast vote record and only votes with two valid signatures would be accepted. Even different hardware could be used, making such systems both software and hardware isolated. Auditing and Forensics Perhaps the most promising area for bringing further improvement in the election system is in the area of auditing and forensics. MDA opens the possibility of designing a independent but systematic auditing and forensic system. If key points in voting systems were defined and standardized across all systems, then audit and computer monitor systems could be designed to record elections activity independently of the vendor-provided hardware and software. Together, we can specify an effective EMI shielding solution for your application. Whether you’re shielding an entire cabinet or a handheld device, Chomerics has the right EMI solution for your application. When you need shielding for telecommunications, avionics, information systems, automotive, consumer, industrial or medical electronics – Chomerics has you covered. Chomerics EMI shielding products include: and compounds manufacturer of EMI shielding solutions – www.chomerics.com 781.939.4850 chomailbox@parker.com oCtober 2008 Conformity 29 12035_ Chomerics_ Conformity.indd 1 11/2/07 3:18:54 PM http://www.chomerics.com http://www.chomerics.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity Magazine - October 2008

Conformity Magazine - October 2008 Contents Editor's Note FCC Releases Annual Report on National Do-Not-Call Registry Commission Cracks Down (for the Fourth Time!) On Junk Fax Marketer FCC Releases Quarterly Reports on Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Greenpeace Ranks Electronics Manufacturers Standards List For The EU’s Energy Consumption Directive Published EU Commission Publishes Standards List for Directives on Pressure Equipment, Pressure Vessels Standards List for the EU’s Medical Devices Directive Available The IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society: The First Five Years ESD Open Forum Improving Election Security and Accuracy: The Future of Voting System Certification Conformity Assessment and Accreditation: Their Role in the Global Market Design Issues in Extreme EMC Environment Focus On... Test Equipment Buyers Guide Product News Updated Standards List for EU Directive on Active Implantable Medical Devices FDA Warns of Effects from CT Scans on Electronic Medical Devices FDA Provides Report Card on Its PMA Review Process CPSC Releases Import Safety Strategy Other CPSC Actions in the News IEC Standards Update Product Reviews UL Standards Update Telcordia Standards Update From Our “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” Department Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Advertisers

Conformity Magazine - October 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.