The border security iceberg effect

In recent years, advances in biometrics and IDs have made systems like eGates possible, increasing capacity during busy periods without overburdening border officers. But what passengers see is just a small part of the huge iceberg of systems that exist to manage the entire border control value chain. Proprietary biometrics, reliable document verification technologies, and connections to external databases must be available around the clock.  

A whole realm of technologies is now coming together to make border crossing decisions smarter and more informed, including biometrics and passenger flow management systems, through to responsible recognition technologies and cybersecurity.  

The most visible part of this for travelers are eGates, which automate the border crossing process under officer supervision, accelerating flows and reducing reliance on manual checks. Thales ABC gates are now the 4^th generation of eGates technology. They allow persons holding a biometric credential such as an e-Passport, or have already enrolled via a border kiosk, to be verified rapidly and efficiently. The crossing process can be shortened to as little as 12 seconds thanks to a combination of facial recognition systems and robust fraud detection. 

A huge hidden ecosystem

This new generation of simple and intuitive border processes for travelers is the result of highly demanding systems integration and stakeholder collaboration behind the scenes. Behind what travelers experience is a powerful ecosystem capable of supporting all this front-end, passenger-facing technology. Primarily it’s about bringing together incoming data flows from innumerable on-site devices. This includes everything from e-gates, border kiosks, and biometric recognition through to passport scanners. This ecosystem must also effectively support multi-agency cooperation, data management and identity verification in the process. 

This back-end infrastructure also needs to interface seamlessly with other national databases – the likes of immigration records and visa issuance lists - to assess and reinforce overall border security in real time. Additionally, identity scanning needs to closely link into Interpol’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database, which helps detect fraudulent credentials and persons of interest.

Consistency is key

Comparable attention to detail must also extend to outside the terminal. Border authorities, airports and airlines alike must all be on the same page for smooth operations. Passenger manifests should be linked with border control records, along with check-in and boarding management systems, to optimise passenger flow and security. Growing cyber risks means these mission-critical systems must be secure by design to avoid severe operational disruption. 

eGates have very visibly transformed travel and helped smooth passenger experience at the border. But they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to security and convenience. Back-end platforms and close systems integration are crucial to let everything else work and connect seamlessly – enabling more efficient travel experiences in the process.