Technology solutions such as biometrics, digital passports and e-Gates are set to make crossing borders more seamless. However, they also make identifying and mitigating threats increasingly pressing, given that unpredictable and sophisticated risks from terrorism, organised crime and cyber-attacks are on the rise.

Already the long-term trusted partner of some of the UK’s key national security clients – including the military and government – Thales is providing the critical systems and solutions to ensure more secure and more 'frictionless borders' across land, air and sea. And at Security and Policing 2022, we showcased the technology that lies behind more seamless travel, focused around four key areas:

1. Border surveillance

A clear picture of what is beyond UK borders means making sense of increasingly busy and complex water ways. Our range of space-based, mobile and aerial intelligence and surveillance solutions are bringing unparalleled situational awareness, including for example, our aerial intelligence and surveillance radar, i-Master (which is fixed to an unmanned helicopter).

2. Identity verification (IDV) and visas

Our cloud-based identity and verification solution identifies and authorises travellers from high and low-risk countries. Combined with API and airline data, it offers a precise picture of everyone before they cross the border. At the event, we will be demonstrating Thales’ IDV technology such as our desktop passport reader (with document verification software) and fingerprint scanner (contactless fingerprint with enrolment software).

3. Digital travel credentials

Thales is a leading provider of many secure e-documents, including the UK passport. We will be demonstrating secure digital companions to physical documents such as our Digital Travel Credential, which is stored in a phone’s digital wallet alongside other journey information such as electronic travel authorisation/visas.

4. Frictionless border crossing

Pre-travel passport authentication with biometric enrolment, along with Digital Travel Credentials, will bring a frictionless border crossing experience – promising a walk-through border for many, without compromising security. For example, a traveller can be subject to facial recognition technology whilst walking down a corridor, meaning they are not stopped at a counter or gate.  Their IDV recognises which aircraft they were on, where they came from and whether a visa is needed/completed. 

Thales’s FRP facial recognition camera and server, along with the technology behind next-generation e-Gates was demonstrated at the event.