EU pilots biometric solutions for smart entry-exit system to protect land border crossings

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is planning to test biometrics and other technologies for its smart entry-exit system (EES) at land borders to provide travelers with a seamless and frictionless experience when crossing from one country to another, without jeopardizing national security, the agency announced.

The EES system was developed to keep track of non-EU nationals entering and leaving countries part of the Union to help border security officials and national authorities in their daily duties. Multiple EES technologies will be deployed at busy border crossings in a pilot project.

The contract for the new shared biometric matching system that the EES will use was recently awarded by eu-LISA to a consortium of Idemia and Sopra Steria.

Frontex wants to find advanced technologies, hardware and software that can be easily integrated with national systems. When the pilot is finalized, the agency can provide EU countries with guidelines on which system is most suitable based on their needs. Procurement is expected to start in the second half of 2020, followed by implementation.

In February, Frontex partnered with the European Commission to develop biometrics and advanced security technology that would assist the coast guard in threat prevention.

In a recent white paper, secunet explained that biometric kiosks would deliver the accurate identity verification and automated travel processes needed for efficient border controls under the European entry-exit system.

Article Topics

biometric exit  |  biometrics  |  border management  |  Entry/Exit System (EES)  |  EU  |  Frontex  |  identity verification  |  pilot project