I527-290 ESRIF Final Report (WEB).indd - European Commission

3.10 Border Security
The main focuses in the fi eld of border security are the effi cient and eff ective control of the fl ow of people and goods at border
crossing points, and surveillance of border areas – land, sea or airspace – beyond those border crossing points. Detection of
anomalies in large, regular fl ows and the use of mobile technologies in mobile environments such as trains and boats are
important topics. For the usage of mobile devices it is important to implement secure data transfer technology. Proactive
methods of processing ID checks and controls have to be developed.
Research is needed to improve current systems for checking people and scanning goods at border crossings in a secure,
convenient and effi cient manner. This includes biometrics for identifi cation of people and sensors for screening goods.
Furthermore, a holistic approach to border management, including an understanding of border activities within and beyond
Europe, is needed to ensure effi cient border management.
Another area where research is needed is sensor and information systems for detecting non-cooperative and non-registered
vessels at sea, and for detecting anomalies in the traffi c fl ow.
Interoperability is essential to make border security more effi cient. Research must cover technical interoperability aspects
between deployed systems, as well as interoperability at the organisational level, taking into account the diversity of
cross-border cultures. Interoperability may also be enhanced through harmonised or common operational procedures for
development, acquisition and training.
The ultimate output of research and innovation initiatives must be aff ordable and user-friendly equipment. Social science
research for understanding and modelling various risks related to border security is also of crucial importance.
3.11 Identity management and protection
Citizens expect high levels of security from digital systems. The absence of written and visual proof has given rise to demand
for high levels of identifi cation and authentication of parties and transactions. Without adequate protection, personal data and
individual credentials are vulnerable in a virtual world. ESRIF proposes to address research topics that enhance the accuracy
of biometric devices by developing strong authentication processes and technologies, and that improve methods of secure
online authentication of individuals, regardless of which digital identity element they use.
Digital identity is increasingly an integral part of an individual’s identity. The particular set of data linked to "digital identity"
should be protected using the results of robust research. ESRIF has identifi ed research domains to counteract identity theft.
The current lack of solutions costs companies, countries and citizens billions of euros in fraud and theft, and undermines global
and fi nancial security. Moreover, to combat fraud systems and technologies should perform mutual recognition between
regional, national and/or European systems.
Correct identifi cation of individuals within health systems, together with appropriate medical records, is always a priority.
Systems need to be developed that support unavoidable exchanges of patient information on a national and transnational
basis but which protect individual identity and privacy rights at the same time.
ESRIF advocates implementation of a ‘privacy by design’ data protection approach that should be part of an information
system’s architecture from the start. To ensure real eff ectiveness, this privacy-by-design” protection should combine general
privacy controls, a separation of data of diff erent streams, privacy management systems, and eff ective ‘anonymisation’ of
personal data. Research in these areas must be pursued to ensure that eff ective solutions are available as soon as possible.
31