Welcome to ID Tech’s digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
New SIA Report Identifies Key Operational Security Technologies
The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released a comprehensive report titled “Operational Security Technology (OST): Principles, Challenges and How to Achieve Mission-Critical Outcomes,” authored by industry experts John Deskurakis and Chris Lynch. Targeting small and medium-sized businesses, the report explores key OST categories, including Physical Access Control Systems (PACS), biometrics, surveillance, alarms, and integrated security management platforms. It emphasizes the convergence of physical access control with digital identity management, recommending a risk-based approach to authentication and providing strategies to overcome integration and interoperability challenges. The report highlights growing access to sophisticated, cost-effective security solutions for SMBs.
Corsight to Detail FRT Deployment Success in Closed Session at ISC West
Corsight AI will showcase its facial recognition security solutions in a roundtable at ISC West 2025, highlighting its ongoing partnership with Mall of America to tackle public safety and organized retail crime. Implemented at the mall in early 2024, Corsight AI’s technology accurately identifies potential threats in crowded, challenging environments, with multiple layers of human oversight protecting visitor privacy. The session aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of facial intelligence technology in reducing crime and enhancing retail security amid growing industry concerns.
France Delays EU Biometric Border System, Threatening 2025 Launch Plan
France has yet to confirm readiness for the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), set to launch in October 2025, sparking concerns about potential delays alongside similar issues in Germany and the Netherlands. Managed by eu-LISA, the EES requires biometric registration of all non-EU travelers, including fingerprints and facial scans, significantly upgrading EU border security. The delay in France— a major Schengen entry point—raises questions about technical infrastructure, staff training, and potential impacts on travel efficiency and tourism.
US-Colombia Sign Biometric Data Sharing Deal for Migration Control
The United States and Colombia have signed a landmark biometric cooperation agreement, aiming to enhance border security and migration management by collecting and sharing biometric data. Formalized by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, the agreement seeks to combat illegal migration and criminal activities while safeguarding migrants’ rights. This initiative follows recent diplomatic negotiations and could serve as a regional model for similar agreements across Latin America.
Kenya’s Digital ID Plans Must Prioritize Human Rights, Legal Experts Warn
The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) has urged Kenya to place human rights at the forefront of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) development. Emphasizing the importance of privacy, data security, equal access, and transparent governance, ICJ Kenya’s recommendations follow recent legal challenges against Kenya’s Maisha Namba digital ID system. The organization calls for comprehensive data protection, inclusive practices, digital literacy initiatives, and active public consultation to ensure digital transformation respects citizen rights, particularly as Kenya expands its biometric and digital identity services.
Pakistan Launches Digital ID Storage and Face Verification in Latest Pak ID App
Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has released version 3.8.1 of its Pak ID mobile app, introducing digital ID storage and facial verification features. These enhancements allow citizens to securely store digital national ID cards and provide an alternative biometric authentication method, benefiting users who face difficulties with fingerprint recognition. The update aligns with NADRA’s broader push toward digital identity, complementing recent biometric expansions and the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2024.
Swedish Migration Agency Explores $3.8M Biometric ID System Upgrade
Sweden’s Migration Agency has initiated a market exploration for an Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), releasing a Request for Information (RFI) valued at approximately USD 3.8 million. This preliminary procurement step seeks input from biometric solution providers, reflecting the agency’s strategic commitment to enhancing identity verification capabilities in immigration and border management. Interested suppliers have until March 31, 2025, to respond, aligning the effort with broader EU trends toward modernizing biometric infrastructure.
Accops Partners with pi-labs to Combat Deepfake Fraud in Facial Authentication
Cybersecurity firm Accops has partnered with AI specialist pi-labs to combat deepfake threats by integrating biometric facial authentication with AI-driven detection technology. The collaboration combines Accops’ BioAuth facial verification system with pi-labs’ “Authentify” deepfake detection engine, providing enhanced security for sectors including financial services, enterprise security, and government operations. The three-step solution addresses vulnerabilities in identity verification, virtual hiring, and video KYC, responding to a significant rise in deepfake fraud incidents. Available as an API enhancement or standalone module, the partnership targets increased identity security in digital environments.
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March 28, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
