Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Brussels, Belgium – Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, today announced it is rolling out its eID solution as part of the Belgian government program to expand its national eID initiative. The program consists of a dedicated eID card for children aged under 12 with specific features intended to increase their security in emergency situations. In particular, a special hotline number is printed on the card body of the child’s card so that his parents can be alerted as soon as possible. Gemalto will deliver the highly secure microprocessor cards to Zetes, the European Auto-ID solutions provider. Fedict (FPS Information and Communication Technology), the Federal Public Service of Belgium in charge of developing e-Government projects, has just started deploying the Kids-ID program. This rollout follows a decision from the Belgian government dated December 19, 2008.
The size of a credit card, the new Kids-ID card features three main functionalities. Firstly, it acts as an electronic national credential for Belgian children and also serves as an official travel document in most European countries. It contains all necessary information as well as the child’s photograph. These data are printed on the card body and also securely stored in the microprocessor.
The second capability is protecting the child in emergency situations. In case he gets lost, or is the victim of an accident, a hotline number is printed on the card body to notify the next of kin or emergency contact. The caller dials the hotline number and enters the child’s 11-digit National Registry number. The call is immediately transferred to the first number on a list of up to seven contact phone numbers that the parents have selected upon card issuance. If this person is not available, the caller is immediately connected to the second number on the list, and so on until somebody is reached. If all numbers are exhausted, the call is routed to the 24 hours-a-day Belgian Child Focus hotline.
Lastly, the Kids-ID card can be used on the Internet for safer access to online chat sites and for use of services that requireentification. A built-in PIN code automatically authenticates the child and grants him access to Web services he is allowed to use. Other potential uses include accessing library books, sports club memberships or healthcare services.
“Enhancing child protection both in the real world and the digital world is a universal concern,” said Jacques Seneca, executive vice president of the Security Business Unit at Gemalto. “We are proud to bring our digital security expertise to this highly innovative project initiated by Belgium.”
Kids-ID is part of Belgium’s nationwide electronic program launched in 2003. In January 2009, the number of e-IDs in use exceeded 8 million, representing over 90% of the targeted population (source Fedict). The cards are being produced by the Auto-ID specialist Zetes and integrate Gemalto technologies, such as Sealys MultiApp and Sealys Laser-Secured Card. In addition to the usual national document functionality, Belgian citizens use their e-ID card to prove theirentity on the Internet, request official documents, fill in forms and sign documents electronically.
About Gemalto Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2008 annual revenues of €1.68 billion, and 10,000 employees operating out of 75 offices, research and service centers in 40 countries.
Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. The freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere—has become an integral part of what people want and expect, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure.
Gemalto delivers on the growing demands of billions of people worldwide for mobile connectivity,entity and data protection, credit card safety, health and transportation services, e-government and national security. We do this by supplying to governments, wireless operators, banks and enterprises a wide range of secure personal devices, such as subscriberentification modules (SIM) in mobile phones, smart cards, electronic passports, and USB tokens for onlineentity protection. To complete the solution we also provide software, systems and services to help our customers achieve their goals.
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.
For more information please visit www.gemalto.com.
For more information, contact: Deb Montner Montner & Associates Tech PR Agency Phone: 203-226-9290 Email: dmontner@montner.com