Paris, 4 June 2020
The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) has awarded a consortium between IDEMIA and Sopra Steria a framework contract for the delivery of a new shared biometric matching system (sBMS). By 2022, the sBMS will be one of the largest biometric systems in the world, integrating a database of over 400 million third-country nationals with their fingerprints and facial images. Based on European biometrics technology, this new system will first serve the identification needs of the new European Entry/Exit System, thus being the cornerstone of the protection of European borders.
The contract was awarded following a competitive call for tender (LISA/2019/RP/05 EES BMS and sBMS) by eu-LISA. Its duration is four years, with an option for an extension of up to six years.
The Schengen area, a travel zone where 26 European countries have abolished their internal borders, is key to facilitate the free and unrestricted movement of people. The use of the latest biometric technologies makes it possible to ensure the protection of the external borders in the long term. This shared Biometric Matching System, aiming at fighting against irregular immigration and trans-border crime, will become one of the world’s largest biometric systems once it integrates all the existing and upcoming biometric databases of the European Union.
As a contribution to the Smart Borders initiative and the interoperability framework, the sBMS will not only serve the future Entry/Exit System (EES), but also multiple other systems already in use in the EU, including the Schengen Information System (SIS), the Visa Information System (VIS), Eurodac (European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database) and the future ECRIS-TCN (European Criminal Records Information System for Third Country Nationals).
The companies forming the consortium already support the European Union in the management of other mission-critical large-scale IT systems including VIS, SIS and Eurodac for more than fifteen years. They have experience working with national and local administrations of EU Member States and private sector partners to manage the movement of people across air, land and sea borders.
“We thank eu-LISA for their renewed trust. As a contributor to 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 current European 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, Executive Vice President of IDEMIA in charge of Public Security & Identity.
“As European leader in digital transformation and Homeland Security, Sopra Steria is proud to extend its long-standing partnership with eu-LISA contributing to the implementation of an essential and central piece not only for the future Entry/Exit System but also for the other Core Business Systems. I am convinced that this consortium brings the best solution and service offer to accompany eu-LISA in the achievement of its challenges and to deliver the future shared biometric system with high value for its users.” Laurent Giovachini, Deputy CEO from Sopra Steria.