HID Global says it has shipped more than 150 million high-technology eID solutions to governments for citizen IDs around the world.

The firm has marked this milestone at a ceremony in Ireland, where it has a high-security eID credential facility producing products for access and identification-related applications such as ePassports and contactless swipe ID/access cards.

 “We are proud to be a key provider of secure contactless technology to governments for eIDs worldwide,” says Anthony Ball, senior vice president, Identity and Access Management (IAM), HID Global. “More than 150 million people worldwide, almost a third of all citizens using high-security ePassports and identity credentials, carry our technology with them. We are exporting technology and know-how to every continent, and our local workforce and the entire community can be very proud of this milestone, as well as our contribution to a critical aspect of the world’s security.”

HID Global says it has shipped more than 100 million components used in ePassports in 30 countries, which comprises approximately 28% of the world’s market. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as of December 2011, a total of 355 million ePassports had been issued globally. The vast majority of EU countries, as well as numerous states outside of Europe, are now issuing machine-readable ePassports. The company has also shipped more than 50 million microchip-based inlays used in eIDs in 22 countries. Other notable achievements include providing tens of millions of units for a variety of European ePassports.

Set up 15 years ago, the Ireland facility was acquired in 2007 by HID Global. According to the company, it has expanded the operation and made it into one of the country’s most advanced secure technology facilities to accommodate the growing global trend toward eIDs and ePassports. Now one of Connemara Gaeltacht’s largest employers, the operation is dedicated to eGovernment product research, development and manufacturing, and includes a world competence centre for HID Global’s high technology RFID-enabled components.

 “HID Global is at the centre of an important global trend,” says Craig Sandness, vice president of sales at the firm’s Government ID Solutions division. “Governments worldwide are shifting to eIDs to dramatically improve the security, privacy, convenience and confident authentication needed in border and access control, and other important identification-related applications such as national IDs, driving licences, electronic voting and health care.  As a leading high-security ePassport and eID component producer, we are able to provide the complete assembly of these critical components from one source.”