[06/14/06]
Viisage, a leading provider of advanced technology identity solutions, announced that the Australia Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has selected the Viisage iA-thenticate Smart Chip/RFID Electronic Document Reader to improve security in more than 25 Australian overseas locations worldwide. This is the third of three consecutive contracts awarded to Viisage from the Australian government. Australia has been a leader in implementing Viisage's innovative document authentication technologies and products, which include one of the world's largest document databases for ensuring the authenticity of standard identity documents.
DIMA plans to use the Viisage iA-thenticate Smart Chip/RFID Electronic Document Reader to improve overall security around the issuance of travel and identity documents, specifically e-passports. The product is designed to ensure that all documents presented as proof of identification are credible and authentic. Following Brazil's implementation, previously announced in March 2006, this marks the second deployment of this unique product since its recent launch. Viisage provides other document authentication products to more than 20 countries including Australia, Canada, Sweden, Hungary, Brazil, Japan, and The United Arab Emirates.
Given the increased global risk of terrorist activities, DIMA focused on eliminating the use of one of the terrorists' most important tools - false identity documents, including passports, visas, and national IDs. With Viisage's automated document authentication technology, DIMA can authenticate the security features on standard travel documents presented at the Australian embassies globally and automatically detect fraudulent documents. Among other identity documents Viisage's iA-thenticate Smart Chip/RFID Electronic Document Reader will authenticate Australia's leading e-passport, which contains biometrics to identify the passport owner. Australia is regarded as a leader in using this technology to protect its nation against individuals attempting to penetrate its borders illegally.
DIMA is the third consecutive Australian government department to award Viisage a contract to implement its technology, demonstrating the growing use of document authentication in support of national and international security. Previously, the Australian Customs Service (ACS) selected Viisage's iA-thenticate product for all Australian international airports to help authorities efficiently monitor who enters and departs the country, and the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) uses Viisage's automated authentication technology to ensure document security and provide quality control of newly issued passports.
"Viisage's product will help us improve security and extend this security beyond our borders," said Janette Haughton, DIMA spokesperson on identity technology. "We believe these installations will significantly enhance our ability to detect fraudulent documents before a visa is granted and an unwanted visitor travels to Australia."
"Due to heightened awareness of the threats posed by international travel, countries are required to have tighter security," said Ron van Os, Chief Product Officer of Viisage. "Increasingly, our government customers are recognizing the value our products offer to better manage their borders. Australia is on the leading edge with implementations throughout several agencies, which provides both heightened protection and continuity in their national security measures."
iA-thenticate Smart Chip verifies data in e-passports and the MRZ (machine-readable zone) and expiration date. The system captures, analyzes, and authenticates information contained in travel and identity documents with color images and populates applications with information contained in the identity document. Additionally iA-thenticate tests information for formatting consistency to confirm authenticity. Australia's leadership in the deployment and usage of this technology has been recognized by other Viisage customers and prospects as exemplary, particularly in the application of ferreting out terrorists attempting to enter the country. As electronic passports become a standard around the world, Viisage will continue to provide leading products to ensure the authenticity of these important identity documents. Viisage is already at the forefront of the e-passport wave, providing RFID document authentication to the countries that are the most progressive and innovative regarding identity and safeguarding their national borders. Viisage is helping to make the use of e-passports a travel advantage for citizens of these countries by quickly and securely authenticating e-passports.
About Viisage
Viisage delivers advanced technology identity solutions for governments, law enforcement agencies and businesses concerned with enhancing security, reducing identity theft, and protecting personal privacy. Viisage solutions include secure credentials such as passports and drivers' licenses, biometric technologies for uniquely linking individuals to those credentials, and credential authentication technologies to ensure the documents are valid before individuals are allowed to cross borders, gain access to finances, or be granted other privileges. With more than 3,000 installations worldwide, Viisage's identity solutions stand out as a result of the company's industry-leading technology and unique understanding of customer needs. Viisage's product suite includes IdentityTOOLS SDK, Viisage PROOF, FaceEXPLORER, iA-thenticate, ID-GUARD, BorderGuard, PIER, HIIDE, AutoTest, FacePASS and FaceFINDER.
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