SecureIDNews | UK taps CSC, IBM for biometrics, IDs and passports

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

CSC announced that the UK Identity and Passport Service (IPS), an agency of the Home Office responsible for issuing UK passports and ID cards, has awarded the company a 10-year managed IT services contract to upgrade the IPS application and enrollment system. The agreement has an estimated value of $570 million.

IBM was awarded $390 million contract to run the UK’s National Biometric Identity Service, which will deliver a database for storing facial and fingerprint biometrics for the U.K. passport and ID card, according to a Bloomberg News report. The company will replace the Border Agency’s existing biometric database.

Under the terms of the contract, CSC will assume responsibility for several existing legacy IT service contracts supporting the IPS. CSC will upgrade the existing application and enrollment system with new capabilities to process applications for passports and ID cards. The additions include the ability for customers to apply online; improved background checking; a new system for reporting lost and stolen passports and ID cards; customer support for updating personal data; and new IT and telephony systems.

Working in conjunction with the IPS and its other delivery partners for the National Identity Service, CSC will help deliver the next generation of biometric passports and support the introduction of ID cards.

After a nearly three-year delay, the Algerian government has finally launched its biometric passport program.

Magharebia reports that the biometric passports, which contain a contactless smart card chip that holds a digitized photo, fingerprints and signature, were supposed to be released in 2009. But the documents were delayed due to complexities with the operation of the project and the need to thoroughly research and analyze other countries’ experiences with biometric passports.

UK to start using biometric residence permits

The UK Border Agency has announced intentions to require applicants applying for six-month stays from outside the European Economic Area to use biometric residency permits starting at the end of February 2012, according to an HR Magazine article.

Registration of newborns mandatory for e-passport in UAE

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) announced that the registration of Emirati newborns is now mandatory for electronic passports (e-passport) and ID cards, according to ArabianBusiness.com.

Jakarta airport opens biometric immigration gate

In an effort to streamline passenger security, Jakarta, Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport has opened the country’s first biometric immigration gate.

Fingerprint biometric identification provider BIO-key International, Inc. and Oakwell Engineering Limited partnered to create the new gate, designed for use by passengers with electronic passports. Passengers submit their e-passports and authenticate with a fingerprint.

U.S. government settles smart card infringement case

The U.S. government has settled an infringement case with Leighton Technologies by agreeing to license its smart cards.

Leighton Technologies, a subsidiary of General Patent, filed a case against the federal government in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in January 2010. Leighton alleged that 54 federal agencies used its six smart card patents without authorization. Leighton’s technology was also used in e-passports.

Report: 90% of passports chip-enabled by 2016

IMS Research has launched a new report predicting that within five years 90% of passport holders will be using e-passports with integrated smart card IC chips.

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UK taps CSC, IBM for biometrics, IDs and passports