Systems Identify Falsified Documents to Help Make High Traffic Passenger Sites More Secure

3M today announced the Netherlands has chosen 3M ePassport Authentication Systems to validate biometric identity documents at the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and other strategic border control points. More than 200 3M ePassport Readers will be placed at high-traffic sites to help verify the identities of the more than 40 million travelers passing through Schiphol border control each year.

The enhanced authentication system and customized software from 3M will allow the Royal Marechaussee (KMar) of the Netherlands to quickly screen travelers. 3M ePassport Authentication Systems provide evidence of document tampering and counterfeiting, in addition to reading biometric and other data stored on the RFID chip of ePassports – the latest generation of travel documents.

“Enhanced authentication systems and customized software from 3M were chosen by the Royal Marechaussee after comprehensive evaluation of competitive systems,” said Rich Sanders, business manager, 3M Security Systems Division. “We worked very closely with government officials to build a system that works with their infrastructure and interfaces with international intelligence data sources.”

“Biometric technology is an indisputable way to confirm a person’s identity,” said Michel Oude Veldhuis, head of the Expertise Center Identity Fraud and Documents, KMar. “We have experts in the field of biometrics, analyses and counterfeiting. 3M has complementary skills in travel document processing and biometric technologies. We are confident the 3M systems will strengthen our security significantly.”

3M participates in international trials to help ensure the high levels of interoperability and performance of the 3M ePassport Readers. ePassport and biometric integration solutions from 3M are receiving a positive reaction in the marketplace and further installations are expected to be announced in the coming months. 3M passport readers, document authentication systems, border management systems and identity document issuance systems are currently being used by nations around the globe. In addition to the Netherlands, customers of 3M Security Systems solutions include the United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Jamaica and Thailand.

3M brings more than 30 years of experience, a global presence, technical innovation and a strong customer focus to the secure document marketplace. Our solutions cover a broad spectrum of enhanced travel and border security, including document issuance and border management.

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3M Security Systems, St. PaulJoan M. Olseen, 651-736-1163or3M Public RelationsConnie S. Thompson, 651-733-8914http://www.3m.com/PressContact