The eu-LISA is the European Union agency that takes care of the management of operation of large-scale IT systems to ensure freedom, security, and justice. It’s also responsible for the development of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and its operational management.
EES is a database that will replace passport stamps and improve the EU’s border security.
In a new move, eu-LISA awarded a consortium of Sopra Steria and IDEMIA a contract to deliver a new sBMS (shared Biometric Matching System). sBMS Is an important part of the EES. This move will lead to establishing the EES.
The contract lasts for 4 years, extensible to a maximum of 6 years.
The sBMS is going to be among the largest biometric databases in the world. It will contain information for more than 400 million third-country nationals. The information will contain facial images and fingerprints.
The new system is going to be a breakthrough in the way European borders are protected. The system will first serve the needs of the new European Entry/Exit System. This will check the migration overseas into Europe.
In the long term, the shared Biometric Matching System will make it possible to protect the external borders. The system will help fight against trans-border crime and irregular immigration.
The sBMS will also be resourceful to other EU security systems like:
- European Criminal Records Information System for Third Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN)
- European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database (Eurodac)
- Visa Information System (VIS)
- Schengen Information System (SIS)
As soon as the EES becomes implemented, it will record entry and exit data of non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area Member States.
All embassies or other authorities tasked with the processing of Schengen visa applications shall do consultation with the EES before allowing, extending, invalidating, or canceling a Schengen visa.
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