|
minute read
IDEMIA and Sopra Steria were chosen by The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) to build a new Shared Biometric Matching System (sBMD) for border protection in the Schengen area.eu-LISA awarded the framework contract to a consortium of IDEMIA and Sopra Steria for the delivery of a new Shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS). The contract was awarded for a duration of four years, with an option for an extension of up to six years.
Our extensive experience in homeland security across Europe includes providing the Visa Information System, implementing the Eurodac biometry system, and delivering a case management system for Norway's National Police. The Sopra Steria and IDEMIA consortium includes extensive experience managing mission-critical large-scale IT systems for the EU, including VIS, SIS, and Eurodac, for over 15 years.
Background
The Schengen area, comprising 29 European countries, relies on the latest biometric technologies to ensure long-term protection of its external borders. The use of the latest biometric technologies makes it possible to ensure the protection of the external borders longer-term,
The sBMS aims to combat irregular immigration and trans-border crime, becoming one of the world's largest biometric systems by integrating all existing and upcoming biometric databases of the European Union.
This system, based on European biometrics technology, integrates a database of over 400 million third-country nationals with their fingerprints and facial images, serving the identification needs of the new European Entry/Exit System.
As part of the Smart Borders initiative and the interoperability framework, the sBMS will serve multiple systems already in use in the EU, including the Schengen Information System (SIS), VIS, Eurodac, and the future European Criminal Records Information System for Third Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN).
“We thank eu-LISA for their renewed trust. As a contributor of the Smart Borders Initiative from the first discussions with the European Commission, IDEMIA is looking forward to shaping the outcome of this major project, based on our comprehensive understanding of the European current systems. Alongside our partners, we will bring best-in-class biometric technology and our full commitment to contribute to one of the most challenging large-scale biometric databases of the world in terms of accuracy and response time for a safer Europe.” Philippe Barreau, EVP, Public Security & Identity from IDEMIA.
The output
In addition to the sBMS, Sopra Steria successfully launched the second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) for the European Commission which will replace an older counterpart. With improved functionality and scalability, the state-of-the-art SIS II system will transform how countries in the Schengen Area exchange information, enabling the exchange of information between national border control authorities, customs and police on crime, national security and immigration matters.
The system consists of a central system, national systems and a communication infrastructure, allowing member states to share information on homeland security issues SIS II also introduces new types of data, such as biometric data, and allows for the attachment of European Arrest Warrants to alerts.
SIS II will also enable member states to introduce new types of data, such as biometric data, into the system. Member states can set up new alerts on suspected criminal activity and link these with existing alerts on individuals or vehicles. In addition, copies of the European Arrest Warrants (EAW) can be attached directly to alerts for persons wanted for arrest, surrender or extradition, making it quicker and easier for the appropriate authorities to follow up.
Some member states and associated countries including Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Romania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom have selected Sopra Steria to provide them with an off-the-shelf solution that connects to the central system. Other countries such as Croatia and central institutions like Eurpol and Eurojust can be easily integrated into the system as the Schengen Area expands.
We also delivered a Converter between the legacy SIS I, and the new version SIS II. The Converter has enabled robust data migration and facilitated the entry into operation by implementing a safety net in case any member states encounter problems during the migration.