The world’s first national ID system based on contactless smart card technology reaches significant milestone

November 18, 2008–Just seven months after the production of the first document, the Kingdom of Morocco’s national security service (DGSN – Direction Générale de la Sécurité Nationale) has already issued its millionth biometric contactless ID cards.

The revolutionary national ID project implemented by Thales, a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing security, aerospace and defence markets worldwide, will see DGSN issue 20 million smartcards over the next 4 years.

The biometric ID documents are based on contactless smart card technology to ensure maximum document security and respect of the citizen’s rights and liberty. The complete solution, provided by Thales, comprises ID document production equipment and software, high-security consumables and connectivity with the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), which acquires digital fingerprints.

Thales designed security into the system from the start, including the development of the software, in order to guarantee the highest level of security in all aspects of the ID document production process. The biometric ID cards will be produced in two production centers and the documents have a guaranteed lifespan of 10 years.

In addition to serving as secure authentication credential, Moroccan citizens will be able to conveniently present the ID cards in place of their birth certificate, certificate of residence, certificate of life and certificate of nationality in all procedures for which these documents must be provided. This advanced ID system includes both personal details and biometric data and meets new security requirements concerning travel documents and control of migration flows.

Thales has drawn on its long-standing experience in mission critical systems integration to develop a range of ID document production and control systems which are in operation in over 25 countries. More than 200 million documents have been generated and more than 150 million digital fingerprints have been captured to date. The Group’s most recent contract win in this sector, is the United Kingdom’s National Identity Scheme (the ‘Critical Workers Identity Cards’ section).

About Thales

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales’s leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development.

Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of €12.3 billion.

Press contacts

Thales, Security Solutions & Services
Victoire Le Barazer
Tél. +33 1 73 32 13 20
victoire.lebarazer@thalesgroup.com

Thales, Corporate Communication
Caroline Philips
Tél. +33 1 57 77 86 26
caroline.philips@thalesgroup.com