Drawing parallels between a symphony’s precision and the meticulous nature of biometric technology.
Despite their apparent differences, biometrics and symphonies share a common thread: they pursue precision and harmony. Playing a symphony requires adept knowledge of an instrument and playing with exact timing and pitch. Similarly, biometric technology entails precision in measuring unique physical or behavioral characteristics for accurate identification. Inaccurate data can lead to errors in biometric identification with grave consequences, just like a single misplaced note that disrupts a symphony. Creating a symphony also requires combining various musical instruments to create a harmonious piece. In biometric technology, this harmony is achieved by meticulously integrating different types of data on physical and behavioral characteristics to provide a comprehensive and reliable identification system.
Biometric systems are also designed feature by feature, note by note, assigning each biometric trait a crucial role in the overall system, just like each sound in a symphony contributes to the whole. Ultimately, the success of a symphony or a biometric system is determined by their performance, whether in a flawless concert or secure and efficient identification. In essence, the precision required to craft a symphony mirrors the meticulous nature of biometric technology.
- The Conductor: Semlex’s Founding and Vision:
Based in Belgium, Semlex is a pioneer and leader in the biometric identification industry, advising and supporting governments in biometric identification and numerical security since 1992. Semlex has implemented its solutions in more than 50 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Semlex provides solutions to governments worldwide to improve border security and prevent identity fraud.
Envisioning a world where each citizen has a secure identity, Syrian-Belgian businessman Albert Kraziwan founded Semlex, which means “meaning of the law,” to assist authorities in fighting identity fraud. Karaziwan utilized his skills and expertise in technology to become a pioneer in identification, and his work remains integral in the industry to this day. He led the company just like a conductor leads an orchestra to provide reliable state-of-the-art solutions to governments, affecting the lives of millions worldwide.
Semlex provides a complete range of tailor-made identification solutions adjusted to infrastructures and systems available on the territory. At the same time, the Semlex employees are in the field, aiming to guide and advise the governments on their needs regarding identifying citizens and goods. Thanks to its independence and extensive experience, Semlex covers all the investments required by projects, bears all the operation costs, and ensures their maintenance without the state’s financial help.
In 2020, Semlex defined its values as integrity, trust and respect, quality and excellence, and respect for the environment. These values play an essential role in the construction of its corporate culture. The company’s work in technologies and focus on identification systems necessary to access social services, including education, provided an opportunity to give back to the communities where they operate. Introducing the first biometric identification card in Africa with Chad, Semlex’s vision of a secure identity compelled the company to establish Semlex for Education. The foundation aims to reduce socioeconomic inequalities worldwide by funding and supporting exemplary academic and vocational educational projects.
- Instruments of Identification:
Semlex employs various biometric tools and technologies to provide comprehensive and efficient solutions. They include the Biometric Network System (BNS) to verify or enroll individuals in various databases and applications, cards that use fiduciary techniques and other safety systems to prevent counterfeiting or fraud, civil deeds, educational certificates and diplomas, facial recognition in electronic gates at airports or other points of access, mobile stations to facilitate biometric data collection and recording in remote areas or for mobile populations, and the track and trace system to track and trace the movement of goods or people across borders or within a country.
Simplex’s role in international collaborations and partnerships has been far and wide. Its solutions are used for electronic passports in 15 countries, visas in 20 countries, and identity cards in 10 countries, covering four continents. They have also been utilized by several regional and international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Interpol, the EU, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Agency for the Air Navigation Security in Africa and Madagascar (ASENCA).
III. Harmonizing Global Security:
Semlex pioneered biometric solutions in Africa. Introducing the technology in Chad, it soon spread to 15 African countries. In 2008, Semlex was awarded a contract in Comoros to produce the country’s biometric passports and ID cards and set up a civil registry. Semlex’s approach was to provide a turnkey solution that covered the entire biometric identification process, from data collection to document delivery. Semlex also financed the project through a public-private partnership model, where it received a share of the fees paid by the applicants. Semlex’s competitors, such as Gemalto and Morpho, offered only partial solutions requiring additional government or donor investments.
Similarly, in Mozambique, Semlex was contracted in 2013 to produce biometric voter cards for the 2014 general elections. Semlex used mobile stations to facilitate biometric data collection and recording in remote areas or for mobile populations. Semlex also delivered the cards within six months despite the logistical and security challenges posed by the country’s geography and civil unrest. Semlex’s competitors, such as Smartmatic and Indra, relied on fixed stations that were less accessible and flexible and faced delays and difficulties in meeting deadlines.
Another example is In Côte d’Ivoire, where Semlex launched a project in 2019 to provide secure electronic documents that can be used for education purposes, such as school certificates, diplomas, transcripts, and other academic records. Semlex’s approach was to use biometric identification and authentication to ensure the validity and integrity of the information and prevent fraud or forgery. Semlex also funded the project through its corporate social responsibility program as part of its commitment to support education in Africa. Semlex’s competitors, such as Thales and IDEMIA, did not offer similar solutions or initiatives for the education sector.
All of the above solutions would not have been possible without Semlex’s meticulous approach to the digital identification industry and providing state-of-the-art answers to the needs of each country based on its particular characteristics and atmosphere. As our world becomes more digital, the harmonization of technology and security becomes more critical to protect the vast amounts of produced data, provide reliable biometric measures to verify identities in various sectors, prevent cybercrime, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance user trust in digital systems.
Semlex has proven to be a leader in this growing industry, providing reliable, efficient, and adaptable solutions to governments managing identification, passports, and visas.
