Private equity firm Advent International is preparing to sell the public security division of French biometrics company Idemia, with the formal transaction process expected to begin as early as September 2025. According to reports from Bloomberg and other outlets, Advent has hired Rothschild & Co. as financial advisers for the sale.
Idemia Public Security’s Growing Profile
The planned divestiture follows Advent’s recent sale of Idemia’s Smart Identity division to IN Groupe, a French state-owned enterprise, which was completed on July 1st. Now, attention has turned to Idemia Public Security (IPS), which has emerged as a major force in government and law enforcement biometrics worldwide. The division employs around 3,800 people and is led by CEO Matthew Cole. It serves over 600 government agencies globally and supplies critical systems such as the TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) devices and Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) used by law enforcement.
IPS’s portfolio includes recent achievements like extending its TSA CAT-2 contract in the United States, securing a 10-year airport biometrics deal in Australia in late 2024, and earning a top ranking in a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) fingerprint evaluation in March of this year. The company also entered into a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Technology Control Company (TCC) in April to collaborate on digital identity and smart city projects aligned with Vision 2030.
Market Outlook and Potential Buyers
Industry analysts estimate that the sale of Idemia Public Security could command a valuation of between €2 billion and €3 billion, based on earnings multiples typical for the sector. Interest is anticipated from major strategic players and private equity firms, with potential suitors rumored to include NEC, Thales, Assa Abloy (HID Global), and Palantir, among others.
The move comes amid rapidly growing global investment in biometric security infrastructure. For example, the United States Congress recently passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) on 3 July 2025, allocating over €21 billion (approximately $22 billion) for advanced border technologies, including large-scale biometric and AI systems. Many countries are similarly rolling out enhanced identity verification systems for government services and border control.
Earlier this year, Idemia’s public security division has also been actively recruiting for new roles in smart biometrics and advanced AI applications, with numerous job postings visible on LinkedIn. This hiring surge reflects the division’s efforts to expand capabilities in emerging areas of biometric technology that are increasingly demanded by government clients.
The potential sale of Idemia Public Security represents a significant reshaping of the global biometrics landscape and could set the stage for further consolidation as demand for secure identification and surveillance technologies continues to grow.
Sources: Bloomberg, Private Equity Wire
–
By the ID Tech Editorial Team
