IDEMIA Outfits Iceland with Biometric Border Screening Tech

The Iceland Police and Isavia will be installing biometric screening technology from IDEMIA in an effort to comply with the European Union’s incoming Entry/Exit System regulations (EU-EES). The new technology will be deployed at the country’s primary Keflavik airport (which is run by Isavia), and at Iceland’s 30 international seaports.

The EU-EES requirements goes into effect in 2022, when Schengen Member States will be required to collect the face and fingerprint data of third party nationals entering the area. IDEMIA’s technology will allow the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police and Isavia to achieve compliance in 2021, using the self-service TravelKiosk and the automated TraveLane e-Gates. Iceland’s system will be based on IDEMIA’s broader Augmented Borders solution.

The TravelKiosk EES debuted in October, and is designed specifically to help Schengen Members comply with their EES obligations while simultaneously reducing processing times. The Kiosk offers contactless face and fingerprint capture to promote public health in the wake of COVID-19.

“Isavia is confident that IDEMIA’s self service solutions will result in a more secure and efficient border crossing point, giving Keflavik the potential to grow even further in its Hub operation,” said Isavia Chief Commercial and Airport Development Officer Guðmundur Daði Rúnarsson.

“We are determined to provide a comprehensive set of multi-biometric solutions that will give the assurance of a future-proof program,” added IDEMIA Public Security & Identity EVP Philippe Barreau. “Our advanced border management solutions, based on a 40-year relationship with governments, will offer a better user experience by interactively adapting the border process per traveler category, while ensuring maximum security.” 

Keflavik currently processes 95 percent of the non-EU traffic that comes through Iceland. IDEMIA, meanwhile, recently secured a four-year contract to develop a biometric matching system for the European Union. That system will be developed on collaboration with Sopra Steria. IDEMIA previously provided biometric SmartGates for the Australian Border Agency.

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December 14, 2020 – by Eric Weiss