Cameroon security agency uses Gemalto biometric ID cards

Gemalto is supporting the General Delegation for National Security (DGSN) efforts in Cameroon to combat fraud and document counterfeiting with the deployment of Sealys Color in PC for polycarbonate eID cards.

The new approach, which is a first in Africa, comprises of laser engraving high resolution color photos into the durable Sealys card body to help the Cameroon government identity its 20 million citizens.

Gemalto is also contributing to the country’s identity modernization program with its Coesys enrolment solution, a customized platform implementing color laser engraving technology and eID verification terminals.

The Sealys Color in PC eID offers DGSN several security benefits over other solutions that only print photographs on the card’s surface.

The high-quality image is combined with a digital copy of the cardholder’s fingerprint biometrics stored within the embedded microprocessor.

A series of visible and invisible document security features will also provide additional levels of security.

The card body, which is entirely made of polycarbonate foils, guarantees a minimum 10 year service life with exceptional resistance to extremes of temperature and mechanical stress.

Gemalto will enable DGSN to operate the fully integrated system autonomously via a full training, maintenance and knowledge transfer program.

As a result, DGSN will be able to assume full responsibility for enrolling citizens and issuing personalized eID cards, then verifying eIDs on the terminals supplied.

“Gemalto is the perfect match for our ambitious project goals. The end to end solution will give us full flexibility and autonomy to manage and operate our new national eID program in house,” said Martin Mbarga Nguele, the head of the DGSN. “Establishing and verifying every citizen’s identity is at the heart of a successful and secure nation state, and we are confident this solution will help us achieve this key strategic objective.”

Previously reported, the Democratic Republic of Congo contracted Gemalto to help the electoral body compile a biometric register and to conduct the upcoming elections in November.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  Cameroon  |  e-ID  |  fingerprint biometrics  |  Gemalto  |  General Delegation for National Security (DGSN)  |  identity verification