The free movement of individuals and the need to
improve security have made identity management a major issue for governments and
international organisations fighting
threats such as organised crime, illegal immigration and cybercrime. At the
same time, they also face challenges related to the increase in the overall
volume of trade, tourism and other international exchanges.
Amongst the measures being taken to meet civil
society’s demand for both security and privacy protection, there is a worldwide
trend to standardise identity documents and improve their quality.
New technological
solutions
At the same time, the latest advances in biometrics,
smart cards, cryptology and many other technologies are paving the way for new
solutions to meet these new needs.
These solutions meet a growing need for reliable ways to
process the secure, protected data used for identity management.
Thales has extensive experience in protecting critical
data and managing identity documents. Twenty-five countries now use Thales
systems to meet their identity document production and management needs. In
all, Thales systems manage over 200 million identity documents and more than
150 million fingerprints.
Access control is becoming a major concern for operators
of sensitive sites and as critical as physical protection of their
installations. These operators must know exactly where each employee is at all
times, and define clear rules for moving between different areas on the site.
Thales solutions enable companies and organisations to
define their access procedures in detail. Various levels of control can be provided
for personnel, subcontractors, visitors and car park users, for example. These
solutions include systems for managing ID cards, contactless smart ID badges,
vehicle identification systems and multi-modal biometric accreditation and
identity systems for installations requiring high-grade security.
“Access control is a vital part of any comprehensive approach
to security,” says Yves Giniaux of Thales Communications &
Security SA. “It is an integral part of our multi-level command and control
system, which provides videosurveillance, intrusion protection and long-range
detection. We offer scalable solutions that are modular and easy to adapt to each
customer's site topography and security levels. We can even design a single,
highly secure card with multiple applications, including access to the site, specific
systems and services including the communications network.”
A complete response
for sensitive installations
Critical infrastructure operators are on the lookout
for cutting edge systems to control access even better. Thales supports them
with the technology investments they need. Working with customers, particularly
operators of high-risk installations such as refineries, prisons, nuclear power
plants and military sites, our teams create tailored solutions covering even
the most sensitive area such as fraud and identity theft.
At very large critical sites, digital videosurveillance,
access control and perimeter security are needed to protect both employees and
installations. The purpose of an access control system is to prevent
unauthorised persons from entering a building or zone when access is restricted
by regulations and the site’s own security protocols.
For the port of Saint-Nazaire, for example, Thales has
deployed a comprehensive security system including access control and random
identity checks on-site. Security agents equipped with mobile card readers can
check personnel identity anywhere, at any time. Another example: a major site
classified under the Seveso II directive has installed a new access control
system that provides a continuous, real-time count of the number of people present
on the site. The ability to track the positions of all personnel in real time also
facilitates emergency evacuation procedures.