Company News

HID Awarded Finnish Driving Licence Contract

HID, recognised as a leader in trusted identity solutions, has recently secured a contract to supply Finland with an advanced high-security driving licence card and personalised services solution. The offering incorporates the European second-generation smart tachograph solution, aligning with HID’s commitment to bolstering security and efficiency within Finland’s transportation systems.

Teaming up with CardPlus Group, a respected provider of ID documents, HID is ensuring the delivery of a comprehensive, tailor-made, and configurable solution. This integrated approach spans software, hardware, and equipment, aligning with the traffic authority’s vision for a modernised and efficient digital document issuance system.

Max Fogdell, Head of Services for Driving Licences and Examinations at Traficom, Finland’s Transport and Communications Agency, expressed confidence in the partnership, underscoring its commitment to meeting the highest standards of security, efficiency, and EU safety regulations.

Craig Sandness, Senior Vice President and Head of Citizen Identity & Secure Issuance at HID, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, ‘we are proud to collaborate with the government of Finland and contribute to the enhancement of the country’s driving licence and tachograph systems. Our commitment to security and innovation is unwavering, and this contract is a testament to our dedication to safeguarding citizens and infrastructure’.

The collaboration is particularly timely considering the EU’s safety standards and tachograph regulations mandating the installation of second-generation systems in commercial vehicles by 2026. HID’s advanced solution not only complies with these stringent regulations but also enhances security through smartcards controlling access to device data for drivers, law enforcement, companies, and workshops.

Keyless Raises Funding

Keyless, a British startup specialising in biometric authentication technology, has successfully secured $6 million in a recent funding round led by Rialto Ventures. This latest injection of funds brings Keyless’s total raised capital to $26 million, marking a significant milestone for the company as it navigates its first financing round since becoming an independent entity earlier this year, following its spin-off from its parent company, Sift.

The core focus of Keyless lies in the development of innovative biometric authentication solutions aimed at simplifying the entire identity lifecycle, while placing a high emphasis on privacy. The company’s product offerings are designed to validate a user’s genuine identity seamlessly throughout various stages, starting from onboarding and account creation, extending to step-up actions, transaction signing and concluding with account recovery.

Keyless tools address critical challenges such as account takeover attacks and identity theft, simultaneously ensuring adherence to global data protection and privacy regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The startup asserts that its technology facilitates the creation of universal biometric profiles, enabling the verification of a user’s identity at any juncture in the identity lifecycle without the necessity of storing biometric data anywhere.

At the forefront of Keyless’s technological offerings is its flagship Zero-Knowledge Biometrics, a distinctive approach that doesn’t store biometric data. This technology incorporates built-in multi- factor security, allowing a user’s identity to be verified with a single glance at the camera. This not only enhances security and privacy but provides a seamless user experience, underscoring Keyless’s commitment to advancing secure and privacy-preserving biometric authentication solutions.

IDEMIA Wins Contract for South African Airport Biometrics Project

IDEMIA, a leading player in the field of identity verification, has secured a significant contract from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to implement its Passenger Flow Facilitation (PFF) solution across nine key airports in the country. ACSA, the operator of these airports, is undertaking a broader digital transformation initiative that includes the integration of a biometric border control system in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs. This system will primarily rely on facial recognition technology to match travellers with the biometric data stored in their passports.

The biometric processing system may go beyond facial recognition, leveraging the company’s expertise in advanced fingerprint, facial, and iris biometric technologies. This approach is anticipated to enhance passenger security while simultaneously providing a more seamless travel experience.

The airport biometrics project officially kicked off in October and is set to unfold over a four-year period. The deployment will be in three phases, with the initial phase introducing eGates at the country’s major international airports, namely OR Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka.

The comprehensive PFF solution, aptly named ‘ID2Travel’, is expected to be fully operational across all nine airports by 2026. Matt Cole, IDEMIA’s EVP of Public Security and Identity, expressed anticipation for this collaboration with ACSA, describing it as a historic and ambitious partnership aimed at enhancing passenger safety and streamlining the travel experience at South African airports. Cole’s remarks underscore the commitment of both IDEMIA and ACSA to contribute to the ongoing digital transformation efforts in the realm of airport security and passenger facilitation.

VNPAY Biometric Recognition Attains International Quality Standards

VNPAY, a leader in the Vietnamese electronic payment sector, has harnessed advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to elevate the standards of its banking and finance services. By integrating liveness detection, machine learning, and optical character recognition into its biometric identification system, particularly in its eKYC solution, VNPAY says it has demonstrated a commitment to secure and cutting-edge technology.

The eKYC solution underwent rigorous testing, including iBeta’s Presentation Attack Detection test, following ISO/IEC 30107-3 standards. This certification ensures the capability of detecting fraudulent activities, especially in facial biometric solutions such as selfie photos, emphasising the system’s resilience against fake information during the verification process.

According to the company, to combat the ever-evolving landscape of electronic identification fraud, it places a strong emphasis on modern and high-tech techniques in developing its eKYC solution. Notably, the company’s technology development team not only focuses on ensuring accurate input information but also secures ISO 27001 certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI Vietnam) for information security management systems. This certification underscores VNPAY’s dedication to safeguarding information for its customers, partners, and stakeholders.