3M Security Systems Debuts Multilateral Border Crossing Program

By Anil Sharma

TMCnet Contributor

 

3M Security Systems Division, a trusted partner and major player in delivering end-to-end, security solutions to businesses and governments worldwide, has designed a novel border security program that helps travelers between participating nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to enjoy faster and hassle-free travel.

Officials with 3M (News - Alert) said that CARIPASS, the first multilateral border crossing program in the world, is a voluntary travel card program that provides secure and simple border crossings for citizens and legal residents of 10 CARICOM nations.

With the introduction of CARIPASS, participating governments aim to enhance regional security and support expedited travel throughout the participating Member States.

'This one-of-a-kind program which is premised on the cooperation of multiple sovereign states will help facilitate the efficient movement of travelers, while maintaining a high level of security,' said Lynne Anne Williams, executive director of CARICOM IMPACS, in a statement.

'In working with 3M Security Systems, we were able to achieve a customized solution specific to our security needs and goals. We look forward to future phases of the system and extending it to other CARICOM Member States,' said Williams.

Company officials said that CARIPASS utilizes a number of new technologies secured and integrated by 3M in response to CARICOM's needs, allowing travelers to move quickly between 10 CARICOM nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago

According to company officials, eligible travelers wanted to use CARIPASS must pre-enroll at local immigration or designated offices, and have a facial image and two fingerprint images captured.

Users are then issued a card with a 2D barcode which they can use to electronically process through self-service border crossing gates. These gates are connected to the system's user database, and after matching the user's biometric data with that on the card, the gates open, allowing the traveler to pass through. The gate prints a receipt for the traveler to document his or her valid entry.

Back in July 2010, 3M Security Systems Division produced a new Panama national ID card.

3M created a new centralized personalization facility in Panama, including all necessary equipment, and will provide the materials to produce half a million cards per year. In addition to the national ID card, the Electoral Tribunal of Panama also contracted 3M Security Systems to produce minor ID cards and foreigner ID cards.

The one-year contract with 3M also gives the Electoral Tribunal the option to extend it through 2015.