Phase II of Saudi ID scheme begins

 

The second phase of Saudi Arabia’s eID scheme is set to rollout, with Gemalto contracted to provide cards for the initiative.

This latest deal follows phase one of the programme, which saw the smart card giant deliver cards along with its Coesys Issuance personalization technology and the centralized card personalization system, which is operated by the National Information Center (NIC) in Riyadh.

As part of the new contract, Gemalto is providing the NIC with eID cards for the next three years, as well as supporting and maintaining the centralized personalization centre in Riyadh.

The chip on the national ID card contains the cardholder’s digital information such as demographics, facial image and fingerprints. It also features a bar code and an optical stripe to ensure enhanced security to citizens. The card can be used as a travel document for travel within all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It additionally offers a digital signature through a Public Key Infrastructure application.

The card is mandatory for all citizens aged over 15 and is valid for 10 years.