The Identity and Passport Service (IPS), an executive agency of the UK Home Office, and IBM have signed a seven-year agreement for IBM to provide a ‘core element’ of the government’s plan to upgrade to biometric passports and enhance the security of the UK border.
The company said that it will also provide a replacement for the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint System (IAFS) which holds biometrics collected from visa applicants.
Under the contract, IBM is expected to integrate and operate the system. IBM will obtain integration and operations support from Atos Origin, and biometric services and software from Sagem Securite (SAFRAN Group).
James Hall, chief executive of the Identity and Passport Service, said: This contract will provide a secure database for storing facial and fingerprint images for the next generation of biometric passports and will support the delivery of the National Identity card.
John Granger, general manager of IBM Global Business Services, said: At a time when the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, both through personal travel and electronically, these new systems are part of building a smarter and safer planet where identifying ourselves when we travel is easier and more convenient.
