Zetes showcases biometrics-backed digital identity progress in Belgium

Digital ID provider Zetes is featuring the roll out of its biometric PeopleID in all 581 Belgian municipalities with a new video promoting the project, following a pilot in 25 municipalities.

The nationwide initiative of Belgium’s adoption of digital identity follows the government’s 2019 approval and a development process launched by Zetes in early 2020.

In the video the company depicts the application process, as well as its secure manufacturing site, and describes its range of in-house digital ID credential-delivery services.

The new eID with embedded fingerprint biometrics gives Belgian citizens access to a safe digital identity through counterfeit-proof design elements and touch-free RFID chips. The eIDAS compliant eID can be used for eAuthentication and eSignatures for digital services from eGovernment to travel, and replaces a social security card.

In addition to this, Zetes also supplies the KidsID, designed for minors under the age of 12. The KidsID includes a cascade system to help the authorities to quickly get in touch with the parents in case if their missing kid has been found.

The electronic residency permits, also issued by Zetes, are aimed at non-EU foreigners living on the Belgian territory. EU foreigners receive a card that is very similar to the one delivered to the Belgian citizens.

The eID documents are also ICAO compliant, with embedded biometric data allowing their usage for border crossings, and are promised to be forgery- and fraud-proof. Zetes further reports that the 3rd generation eIDs are produced at a secured manufacturing site that employs rigorous quality control and data encryption techniques to ensure secured document personalization and ICAO compliance. Aside from electronically saved biometric information the hybrid cards also contained specially perforated imagery of users.

Zetes also maintains a disaster recovery site for document backup and PIN and PUK (personally unblocking key) management services. Moreover, the company reports it and its processes are ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 27001 compliant. The company also runs its own in-house secured logistics services using its native proof-of-delivery solution that sends delivery prof within 15 minutes. Zetes also conducts specialized recruitment to ensure the safety of the personal ID documents and data.

This post was updated at 10:26am on Monday, March 1, 2021, with the correct number of municipalities the eID is rolling out to, and details of the ISO standards, KidsID program, and residence permits.

Article Topics

Belgium  |  biometrics  |  credentials  |  digital identity  |  e-ID  |  eIDAS  |  ICAO  |  identity document  |  identity verification  |  standards  |  Zetes