IT Observer - U.S. State Department to Use Entrust Products in Next Generation Passports to Help Improve Homeland Security

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U.S. State Department to Use Entrust Products in Next Generation Passports to Help Improve Homeland Security
Publication date: Thursday, 19 May 2005

Entrust Digital Signature Technology Included to Enable Unprecedented Verification of ePassport Validity and ID Management

18 May 2005 - DALLAS – Entrust, Inc. [NASDAQ: ENTU], a world-leader in securing digital identities and information, today announced that the U.S. Department of State has implemented an Entrust solution to deploy the next generation of passports. The chip enabled passports will utilize digital signatures to help improve homeland security and establish more efficient travel management.

Entrust’s digital signature technology is being used by the U.S. Department of State to provide seamless authenticity and security for personal biometric information to help protect against illegal entry, fraud and counterfeit. The digital signature contained in each next generation passport issued by the United States can be verified to determine if the data is authentic or if it has been altered or faked. The processes and technologies enabled by this system can help enhance the nation’s homeland security and serve as the foundation for more secure and efficient management of international travel and identification.

“This unprecedented milestone will provide tremendous homeland security benefits to our nation and help make legal entry for foreign nationals more efficient throughout the world,” said Bill Conner, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Entrust. “Through next generation biometrics and digital signature solutions, this program highlights the real-world capabilities that can result when physical security and information technology resources become effectively integrated. Entrust is proud of the longstanding relationship it has formed with the U.S. Department of State and applauds the ambitious and innovative efforts of its talented team of professionals.”

Deadlines, US-VISIT and Visa Waiver Program Impact
As part of the United States Enhanced Security Act of 2002, a deadline of October 26, 2004 was specified for all countries who participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to have programs in place to issue their citizens machine readable biometrically enabled travel documents, or passports. The VWP enables citizens of specified countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Japan to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without the need to obtain a visa. Congress approved a one year extension of this deadline to allow countries to comply.

The U.S. Department of State has deployed Entrust Identity and Access Management solutions across 90 percent of its 14,500 desktop client systems and has already issued 16,000 smart cards that bundle Entrust Digital IDs. It also recently received cross-certification approval from the Federal Bridge Certification Authority (FBCA). The Federal Bridge provides the capability to securely exchange information and data among and between certified government entities. In addition to the Department of State, Entrust has been an integral part of the FBCA project since its inception, providing the technology foundation that enables certification. At present, six of the eight organizations that are cross-certified on the Federal Bridge are using Entrust technology.

Monday, May 23, 2005

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