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The National Centre for Research and Development

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Logo of the National Center for Research and Development from the left: the white and red flag of the Republic of Poland, the emblem of the Republic of Poland. The image of a white eagle with a crown in a red field.

Smart Borders

The latest IT systems for EU smart borders

Our project is intended for the Border Guards and is expected to deliver a new database comprising documents, as well as facial photographs and fingerprints.

square with tentacles  Project title

Developing an environment to implement the concept of smart borders

outline of the upper man silhouette  Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries

  • Institute of Optoelectronics, Military University of Technology – the Consortium Leader
  • Jas Technologie Sp. z o.o. – a Consortium Member
  • Gemalto Sp. z o.o. – a Consortium Member

briefcase icon  Name of programme

STATE SECURITY AND DEFENCE PROGRAMME

newspaper icon  Competition

A competition for developing R&D projects in the field of state security and defence

two heaps of coins icon  Project value

PLN 5,460,000.00

hand icon with two circles above it  Funding value

PLN 5,200,000.00 

clock icon  Project delivery period

22 December 2014 – 21 October 2017

View the results of our work 

Building of the Military University of Technology in Warsaw
The Military University of Technology is acting as the Consortium Leader.

 

Digital fingerprint recording
Our project is intended for the Border Guards and is expected to deliver a new database comprising documents, as well as facial photographs and fingerprints.

 

System visualization
The project is clearly useful, serving the purpose of protecting the economies of EU states.

 

What problem is addressed by the project? 

The NCBR-funded project “Developing an environment to implement the concept of Smart Borders” came about in response to an EU regulatory package called Smart Borders, whose aim is to provide technical solutions to improve and expedite border control at external borders of Schengen states, and also to manage borders, and incoming and outgoing traffic. 
Safe borders are those equipped with the latest IT systems. Poland is taking part in the implementation of EU guidelines regarding the protection and control of its external borders. “Smart borders” is a clear requirement for the effective functioning and implementation of EU guidelines, designed to ensure the security of both Poland and the EU. Importantly, by 2021, all non-EU citizens crossing external Schengen borders will be subject to biometric identification. 
Our project is intended for the Border Guards and is expected to deliver a new database comprising documents, as well as facial photographs and fingerprints. The project provides for storing these data and linking them to data on local border traffic.
The project is clearly useful, serving the purpose of protecting the economies of EU states, and helping to analyse how much time individuals spend within the European Union. This is immensely important for managing the grey economy and eliminating threats. The project was consulted with and overseen by the Border Guards, and we made efforts to answer the questions and follow the Border Guards’ practical recommendations.
The project was managed by Professor Mieczysław Szustakowski. The Institute of Optoelectronics, Military University of Technology (MUT) team dealt mainly with hardware, requirements and testing, while JAS Technologie, our Partner, was responsible for software and data (photograph types, fingerprints, etc. – i.e. all the database inputs). Gemalto – a global security systems producer – provided conceptual support and developed fictional biometric identify documents for research purposes. We had excellent tripartite cooperation. 

Who uses the project results? 

The project outcomes can be used in the process of developing software for the implementation of the Entry-Exit package by national and international agencies responsible for ensuring border security.
In conducting its scientific activities, the Military University of Technology is also searching for new development pathways. We believe that it is not merely the army that stands for defence, but the entire system which covers also – as in this case – the Border Guards. With the project implemented under NCBR’s programme, we could use and extend our competences regarding security, border control and biometrics.

What was the greatest challenge during project implementation?

The greatest challenge during project implementation was to translate records from the Entry-Exit package documents into guidelines understandable to the programmers entrusted with developing the IT environment. Problems were also encountered in testing the system with foreigners’ passports from countries outside the Schengen Area. 

Our advice for other applicants

To closely familiarise themselves with existing legal regulations regarding the subject matter of the project and to consult with practitioners. To develop a detailed technical project take into consideration all details. To supervise programmers’ work on an ongoing basis and to frequently test all components. To perform final tests jointly with practitioners and concerned parties. 

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