Toppan Holdings has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the Citizen Identity Solutions (CID) division of HID Global from Assa Abloy, marking a significant move in the global identity solutions market.
The acquisition, conducted through its subsidiary, Toppan Gravity, underscores Toppan’s ambition to strengthen its foothold in the rapidly evolving identity verification landscape, where digital and physical identity systems increasingly converge.
With a workforce of over 450 employees and a presence in several countries, including Ireland, Malta, and the US, HID’s CID division has established itself as a trusted provider of secure identity solutions for governments worldwide. Specialising in both physical and digital identity systems, the CID division has delivered government-issued identity documents and mobile identities in over 50 countries, including innovations like mobile IDs and digital travel credentials.
This strategic acquisition is indicative of broader trends in the identity sector. In last month’s ID & Secure Document News™ we covered the negotiations between IDEMIA and IN Groupe, highlighting the consolidation of the companies’ capabilities to provide end-to-end identity management solutions.
The acquisition of CID by Toppan represents an important step in the company’s long-term strategy to become a global leader in secure identity solutions. Toppan Gravity, which has focused on advanced authentication and digital identity solutions, will benefit from CID’s extensive government partnerships and expertise in both mobile and traditional identity systems.
With this acquisition, Toppan will further expand its reach, entering new markets and enhancing its portfolio in digital identity services, a sector that is rapidly gaining importance as governments and institutions worldwide adopt mobile and digital identity programmes.
As this month’s editorial explores (click here to read), digital identity systems are becoming as foundational to modern society as power grids or communication networks. The shift from physical to digital forms of identity is not only inevitable but critical for securing borders, ensuring access to services, and enabling economic growth.
However, the adoption of digital ID systems varies across nations, with regions like the EU taking a more structured approach through initiatives like the digital wallet, while others, such as the US, seem to favour market-driven solutions dominated by private tech firms.
The question raised in the editorial – whether identity remains part of critical infrastructure – resonates deeply with these market shifts. Acquisitions like Toppan’s are a reflection of the increasing importance of secure identity solutions as part of national infrastructure.
Governments and companies alike are recognising the need to integrate digital identity into secure, scalable systems, and Toppan’s move to acquire HID’s CID division places the company at the forefront of this global transition.
The deal, expected to close in early 2025, will allow Toppan to expand its market presence while benefiting from CID’s strong relationships with government clients and deep expertise in the identity management sector.
