In just five years, TOPPAN Security has emerged as a real force in the global identity solutions market. Backed by TOPPAN, one of the world’s largest technology companies, TOPPAN Security has made strategic acquisitions and tactical moves, notably expanding its footprint in Africa. With the recent launch of the new Ethiopian ePassport, the ongoing construction of a state-of- the-art facility in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the recent acquisition of Citizen Identity Solutions from HID, the company is clearly on an upward trajectory.

With the announcement this month from Microsoft that it has successfully fabricated its first quantum processor based on a novel material known as a ‘topological conductor’, the ID and secure document market faces a critical challenge: ensuring the security of cryptographic systems against potential quantum threats.

A new and alarming threat to identity verification systems has emerged, as researchers at iProov1 have uncovered an operation known as ‘identity farming’.

The annual Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards, a highlight of the High Security Printing ™ Asia Conference, took place in Bangkok, Thailand on 3 December. This prestigious event brought together industry leaders to celebrate exceptional achievements in design, security, and technological innovation across identity systems and banknotes.

Dr Joseph Atick is renowned for his pioneering work in the field of biometric identification, particularly in facial recognition technology. He is considered one of the founding figures in the development of biometric systems and has contributed significantly to making biometric identification widely accessible and usable.

The secure identity industry continues to witness significant consolidation as key industry players announce acquisitions to strengthen their portfolios and expand their offerings.

Toppan Holdings has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the Citizen Identity Solutions division of HID Global from Assa Abloy, marking a significant move in the global identity solutions market.

In a landmark move, IDEMIA Group has announced its entry into exclusive negotiations with IN Groupe for the acquisition of IDEMIA Smart Identity.

Singapore-based telecom giant Singtel has launched the country’s first quantum-safe network, a significant move to secure identity and authentication platforms against emerging quantum computing threats.

Previously, in ID & Secure Document News™, I have written about the demise of the paper visa in favour of electronic versions that offer greater convenience and functionality over their physical counterparts (see IDN March 2024). In this editorial I will look at another application where digital is rapidly replacing physical.