By Dr Risco Mutelo
Nations are increasingly implementing E-Passport and E-Visa systems as the standard for travel documentation, due to the benefits over traditional methods.
However, successful implementation requires consultations to ensure that the process goes smoothly. Some of the recommendations from our Biometric Research Laboratory, BRL, for efficient E-Passport implementation are as follows:
Vendors – The rapid growth in E-Passport adoption has led to two risks: firstly, many vendors are now trying to or have already penetrated the market for financial gain, even if they lack experience and understanding required of such massive electronic projects. Secondly, industry lobbyists often influence institutions with the subjective intention of putting forward their own technology. Given these risks and the substantial investment involved in E-Passport and E-Visa projects, consultation can be key. It is essential that the selection process for selecting suitable vendors is equipped with the knowledge and resources to be able to filter out vendors with limited expertise.
E-Passport definition – It is interesting to learn that some institutions implementing E-Passport don’t release the resources available to them while implementing E-Passport and lack the understanding of the exact definition of E-Passport according to the ICAO standards. Implementing E-Passports which don’t comply with ICAO standards is a waste of the tax payers’ money.
Responsibility – Research from our BRL shows that many countries have struggled to implement E-Passport or E-Visa technology in the past, due to their lack of adequate preparation for the complexities of using it. Some projects may be poorly managed if the vendors of the technology are given too much power at implementation stage, without the security of proper independent oversight. Our research shows that many institutions implementing E-Passports don’t understand the difference between delegating a task such as implementation while maintaining responsibility of the implementation.
Sustainability – Research from our BRL further shows that many third world countries implementing E-Passport employ unsustainable solutions. For example, E-Passport implementations do not utilise the local talent due to lack of planning and research or consultation. Institutes implementing E-Passport should seek solutions which utilise the local talents and enhance local knowledge. This solution ensures that the institute employs more tax paying citizens and thus more profit for the government.
More information on the implementation of biometrics based solutions can be requested from risco. mutelo@namibiabiometricsystems.com.
Dr Risco Mutelo is a Namibian who is currently stationed in London where he studied Biometrics Engineering at New Castle University in the United Kingdom.