INDUSTRY WATCH: GOVERNMENT
L
aunched in 2016, Cameroon’s
national identity cards and the
complete overhaul of its system
of identification and card manufacture
for new documents were illustrative of
the will of the country’s authorities to
strengthen security on its territory, in
particular by combating identity theft
and document fraud. holder in high definition, not on the
surface, but inside the very body of the
card itself. This innovative approach
was a world first; offering the citizens
of Cameroon the benefits of having an
identity card which cannot be questioned.
The electronic national identity card was
produced alongside other documents
such as resident permits, refugee cards,
professional ID cards for personnel of the
General Delegation for National Security
and retirement cards for public servants
having worked in national security, with
possibilities for extension to other public
or private government bodies. Robust enough to resist intensive usage
and extreme climates, the cards were
created with polycarbonate, the most
reliable and secure material for IDs.
The Gemalto Color in PC card solution
allowed the cards to be available with
colour photos.
Making the choice of
technological innovation
and independence
With Gemalto, Cameroon’s General
Delegation for National Security opted
for an innovative technological solution
which put Cameroon at the forefront
of African nations in the field of secure
identity documents. Gemalto created
electronic and biometric identity
documents in credit card format,
designed to combat fraud using
multiple – both visible and invisible –
security features.
For the first time, they incorporated the
laser-engraved colour portrait of the
Biometric identity card
for Cameroon
The polycarbonate identity documents
are more resistant to humidity, heat
and aging. This plastic with unique
marking and durability properties makes
it possible to achieve much higher rates
of reliability and security than materials
used in the past.
The cards were fitted with a
microprocessor which combines the
physical security of the document with
a means of electronic security. This
created new possibilities in electronic
identification for multiple new forms of
use. In particular, they allow holders to
have secure access to electronic services
such as eGovernment via Internet portals,
thanks to strong electronic authentication
by means of a digital certificate from the
card issuing authority.
“The collaboration
illustrated how a
contracting public authority
and an industrial contractor
can work together
effectively to define a
national project on a large-
scale and thus modernise
the country.”
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INTELLIGENTCIO
Robust enough to resist intensive
usage and extreme climates,
polycarbonate is the most reliable and
secure material for IDs (Image courtesy
of Gemalto)
The authorities also opted for mobile
verification terminals from Gemalto
(Image courtesy of Gemalto)
Holders of the cards are also able to
electronically sign documents with a
digital certificate.
The new identity cards are biometric
and have ten fingerprints built into
them. Biometrics were chosen as the
most suitable technology for reliably
confirming the identity of the holder
and thus for effectively combating
identity theft.
At the same time, Cameroon also
modernised its solution for the
enrolment of citizens, opting for
Gemalto’s Enrolment platform and
its card personalisation with its secure
issuance software which implements
colour laser engraving technology.
The authorities also opted for mobile
verification terminals from Gemalto.
Thanks to a comprehensive training,
maintenance and knowledge transfer
programme delivered by Gemalto, the
DGSN can operate the fully integrated
system totally independently. The DGSN
is thus able to handle citizen enrolment
and the issuance of personalised cards
itself, then verify the cards using the
terminals supplied.
Thorough organisation and
crucial synergies
In addition to the synergies between
those involved and the thoroughness of
the organisation, Gemalto’s expertise,
combined with that of the Cameroonian
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