Regulatory News:
Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital
security, announces it will deliver an additional one million of its
latest generation electronic
ID cards for citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This
new program extends the country's original electronic ID system, which
saw Gemalto documents distributed since September 2007. Gemalto will
also provide consultancy on smart card related solutions, including
Public Key Infrastructure and smart card applications and training. This
new high-end identity card combines built-in biometrics (with in
particular match-on-card fingerprint authentication), contact and
contactless technologies, and serves as official ID and travel document.
Prepared for the future, the card can store medical information of the
cardholder (including URL's pointing to the cardholder electronic
medical files, to facilitate medical information and document sharing
under the cardholder's authority) and allows possibility for e-driving
license. It also includes provision for a payment application, plus
access to e-gates (at airports and in civil service locations) and
capability to securely access e-government services over the Internet.
This electronic identity card, the size of a credit card, is now the
official ID for Bahrain citizens, as well as foreign residents. Thanks
to the software and security features embedded in the Gemalto Java?
microprocessor, the cardholder will have the opportunity in the future
to access to the kingdom's e-government services. The contactless
technology combined with the match-on card biometric capability allows
this ID card to be also used as a travel document, increasing speed,
convenience and security of identity verification at border crossing.
Dr Mohamed Ahmed Al-Amer, President of the Central Informatics
Organization (CIO) comments: ?The Kingdom of Bahrain is strongly
committed to leverage on the technology to improve its citizens' life
while contributing to the modernization of its administration. The
digital security technology provided by Gemalto strikes us as the
appropriate platform for a global approach towards citizens, featuring
convenience, security and privacy?.
?Gemalto is proud to contribute to the Kingdom of Bahrain nation-wide
ID program. It is one of these ambitious multi-application programs that
covers a large span of interests and needs for both governments and
citizens, perfectly fitting the scope of possibilities that Gemalto
digital security expertise endeavors for public sector,? added
Jacques Seneca, executive vice president Security Business Unit for
Gemalto.
About CIO
Central Informatics Organisation (CIO) plays a leading role in enhancing
the quality of life for citizens of the kingdom of Bahrain through
comprehensive, secure, accurate and timely information and services.
CIO has chartered mandate to ensure efficient and effective public
sector information technology, provide effective governmental bureau
services, provide a secure and reliable network service for the Bahrain
government, set relevant government information technology policies,
provide quality customer service, manage and control the Bahrain
national data service, and maintain national geospatial and national
addressing database.
The Kingdom of Bahrain ID Card (Smart Card) Project is one of a series
of flagship projects known collectively as E-Government programme
initiated in 2004. The card was developed as a multi-purpose card
replacing the old paper-based Central Population Register (CPR) card
which was initiated by CIO back in 1984 and has now evolved to become
the core national data set.
More information about CIO can be seen at: http://www.cio.gov.bh
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the leader in digital security
with pro forma 2007 annual revenues of over €1.6 billion, more than 85
offices in 40 countries and about 10,000 employees including 1,300 R&D
engineers.
In a world where the digital revolution is increasingly transforming our
lives, Gemalto's solutions are designed to make personal digital
interactions more convenient, secure and enjoyable.
Gemalto provides end-to-end solutions for digital security, from the
development of software applications, through the design and production
of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports, and
tokens to the deployment of managed services for its customers.
More than a billion people worldwide use the company's products and
services for telecommunications, financial services, e-government,
identity and access management, multimedia content, digital rights
management, IT security, mass transit and many other applications.
As the use of Gemalto's software and secure devices increases with the
number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the
company is poised to thrive over the coming years.
Gemalto was formed in June 2006 by the combination of Axalto and Gemplus.
For more information please visit www.gemalto.com
Gemalto
Rémi Calvet
T.: +33 (0) 1 55 01 64 10
M.:
+33 (0) 6 22 72 81 58
remi.calvet@gemalto.com
or
Aline
Borne
T.: +33 (0)1 55 01 51 05
M.: +33 (0)6 16 29 87 04
aline.borne@gemalto.com
or
TBWA\Corporate
Rebekah
Lahey
T.: +33 (0) 1 49 09 26 58
rebekah.lahey@tbwa-corporate.com
