C AS E ST U D I E S
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
National ID Card
An Uncompromising Commitment to
Document Security
Facing the logistical challenges of protecting a widely
dispersed and highly mobile population, two lengthy
coastlines and borders with seven neighboring countries,
Saudi Arabia implemented a secure ID program that
successfully addressed the need for a highly counterfeit-
resistant, multi-application credential that could be authen-
ticated and used in a variety of settings while combating ID
theft. At the core of the program are HID Global’s leading
security features and advanced card design.
The Counterfeiting Problem
In the early 2000s, the growing level of counterfeiting and fraud against
the paper-based ID booklet used by Saudi Arabian citizens was diminishing
confidence in the authenticity of the document. The use of false documents
and ID theft subjected the nation to increased security concerns at a time when
Facts the population was becoming increasingly mobile, global insecurity was on the
rise, and the workload of police, immigration and customs was mounting.
Digital security never
compromised
Durable, 10-year lifespan Multiple Needs
Hybrid optical and IC chip The need for one legal identity per person and reliable identification extended
beyond border control to government agencies and third party service
providers such as banks. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to e-government services
Leading security features also required reliable authentication of individuals’ identities online.
High resolution security
printing
Requirements
Tamper-proof optical stripe
The new ID system had to enhance security for citizens, residents and
Portable digital images and visitors, match individuals to their biometrics, safeguard personal data, and
data be predisposed for interoperability with countries in the region. That meant
Personalized optical variable deploying the most counterfeit-resistant document possible, with secure
device portable data storage and transactional capabilities. The combination was
required to prevent fraudulent alteration, withstand ten years of use and be
Security micro-images compatible with an all-in-one infrastructure for the provision of e-government
services.
C ASE STUD IE S 2
Multi-Purpose Credentials and Card Issuance Support
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia selected HID Global’s ID credential, based on the
company’s LaserCard® optical media, whose digital security has never been
compromised in any program in the world. The card delivers both the highest
levels of document security and secure access to government services.
In 2004, HID Global was also selected to manage the implementation of a new
distributed card issuance system in 20 cities for the first phase of the program.
HID Global authored the card management and personalization software,
designed, integrated and installed approximately 60 personalization systems,
trained the operators and provided ongoing operational support. The system
was installed on time and met all the client’s certification requirements.
A Major Setback for Mass Counterfeiters
Meeting Today’s Security Imperatives
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s national ID card contains state-of-the-art high
resolution and multi-color security offset printing, including covert features and
special links. In addition, the card features two machine-readable technologies:
optical security media and an IC chip.
Optical Media: The optical media stores a high resolution color portrait
of the cardholder, his/her demographics, and a fingerprint template for
automatic identity verification. The stored data is completely tamper-proof.
The optical media incorporates layered eye-visible authentication and
security features to support reliable visual document examination.
Contact Chip: The IC chip uses Multos to manage a PIN application, Public
Key Infrastructure transactions, and stored demographic data.
Features for Today’s Reality
Counterfeit Resistance: The optical media data recording process is
physically irreversible. Additional safeguards are created by the tamper-
proof “Personalized Embedded Hologram.” In combination, these features
eliminate any realistic counterfeiting attempts.
High Data Capacity: The 2.86 megabyte optical stripe has more than
adequate capacity to hold all required demographic and biometric
information, and can be updated as needed.
Durability: The laminated construction meets stringent durability
requirements, as certified by an independent laboratory, supporting a
ten-year lifetime for the card.
Low Cost Solution: The combination of advanced technology, durability
of construction, data capacity, and application flexibility deliver maximum
return on investment.
Speed of Use: In just a few seconds, all card information can be read. This
includes demographic data, color photograph, and fingerprint files.
Updateable: New biometrics or personal data can securely be added by
authorized personnel to help prevent obsolescence and fraud.
C ASE STUD IE S 3
The Realities of Inspection
Proven worldwide
For any ID card to be effective, it must be usable in a variety of situations,
U.S. Green Card including those where electronic readers are not available. Optical security
media enables authorities and inspection agents in Saudi Arabia to make a
Saudi Arabia National ID Card
confident judgment about card authenticity and visual identification of the
Italy Citizen ID Card cardholder when ID documents are inspected by the human eye, which still
occurs the majority of the time.
Italy National Police
(Carabinieri) ID Card
Indian State Vehicle Reliable Visual Document Examination
Registration Cards
Optical media incorporates features to support examiner authentication:
Costa Rica Foreign Resident
Unique optical characteristics
Card
Tier I, II, III micro imaged security features resolved at 12,000 dpi
Angola National ID Card
Personalized optical variable device
Spain e-Passport
A tamper-proof high definition, high contrast, high resolution facial image
Germany prelaminates for
of the legitimate cardholder irreversibly laser-etched into the optical media
National e-ID Card and
Health ID
Ivory Coast Driver License
and prelaminates for National
e-ID Card
HID Global Government ID Solutions
UAE Dubai Health ID Card
Dedicated to delivering highly secure, custom government-to-citizen ID
programs worldwide, HID Global’s Government ID Solutions offer government
customers an end-to-end source for their most demanding state and national
ID projects. The complete portfolio of solutions includes expert professional
consulting services, as well as Genuine HID™ data capture, card management
and issuance solutions, world-leading credentials and e-documents, readers,
inlays, prelaminates, LaserCard® optical security media technology, and
FARGO® card printers. With Genuine HID, customers benefit from the industry’s
broadest portfolio of trusted, interoperable secure identity solutions across all
aspects of the government identification market. Genuine HID solutions are
designed and built in ISO 9001 certified facilities, include worldwide agency
certifications, and are backed by global product warranties.
© 2012 HID Global. All rights reserved. HID, the HID logo,
FARGO, Genuine HID, Trusted Identity Platform, and TIP
are trademarks or registered trademarks of HID Global
in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks,
service marks, and product or service names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
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