Before the end of this year, Schengen member states will be required to have a biometric entry and exit system to register non-EU citizens crossing an EU external border. The new multimodal biometric module announced on December 6 by Thales is an efficient solution for the registration and identification of travelers for smooth immigration and border control procedures. Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 aims to improve the efficiency of external border controls in the Schengen area by creating a centralized entry/exit system (EES) for third-country nationals crossing the EU's external borders. This will help combat terrorism and address other border management and security issues. Under the regulation, all third-country nationals wishing to enter a Schengen member state will have to register with four fingerprints and a facial image, whether by land, sea or air. The data collected will be stored in the shared register of the central SEA database managed by eu-LISA, the European Union agency for the operational management of large-scale information systems within the Schengen area.

Solutions offered by Thales

Thales was selected by the French Ministry of the Interior to deliver several hundred pre-registration kiosks at numerous border crossings. With the acquisition of security company Gemalto in 2019, Thales has developed a complete EU EES border management system and offers "Gemalto EU EES Border Management System", a complete end-to-end solution for secure, convenient and fast customs clearance at various border control points. The Thales Gemalto Border Kiosk offers an intuitive and interactive self-service interface, guiding travelers through each step of the check-in and identity verification process.

The new multimodal biometric module from Thales

This module combines facial recognition with iris recognition, a highly reliable biometric authentication process. Thales has developed the Cogent Iris Scanner CIS-202, a high-speed iris image capture device that can capture both irises simultaneously in less than two seconds. The new multimodal biometric module will enable border authorities to integrate a degree of automation into their procedures, while ensuring the security of passengers and staff and the confidentiality of data exchanged. Equipped with a camera and a high-resolution LCD screen, it can recognize the iris and face of pre-registered travelers from a distance of 0.5m to 1.5m with excellent accuracy. This AI-based solution retrieves both iris and facial data in as little as two seconds, speeding up operations and significantly reducing queues. It can be installed at any border control point (airports, seaports, etc.) to handle the initial check-in of travelers upon arrival and for fast and accurate biometric checks (at exit, for internal flights...). Youzec Kurp, Vice President Identity and Biometrics at Thales, states:

"The combination of biometric attributes applied to contactless authentication of people, is sought by many market players to meet the challenges of security, convenience and functionality. Thales leverages its expertise in biometrics and border and passenger management to design, develop and deliver leading responsible biometric solutions that meet the expectations of users and the requirements of authorities."

Translated from Le nouveau module biométrique multimodal de Thales combine reconnaissance faciale et de l'iris

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