Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Process Millionth Passenger Using e-Gate Border Crossing Technology

The automated border control system delivers reduced wait times, increased security and improved traveler experience.

The Automated Border Control System, the electronic border crossing gates (e-gates) at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, has processed nearly 1 million passengers and is on target to reach that milestone in December. The e-gates, which were deployed in March 2012, were developed by Accenture and Vision-Box for the Netherlands Ministry of Internal Affairs and have reduced transit times for passengers at the airport while maintaining border security by more efficiently validating passenger identities and travel documentation.

The 36 e-gates at Schiphol, one of the world’s busiest airports, process passengers through the border in just eight seconds; the fastest processing time recorded was under four seconds. Additionally, 65% of passengers do not have to queue to enter an e-gate and 97% wait less than four minutes to enter a gate during peak times.

“By introducing automated border control so that we can operate a self-service passport system, we have improved the traveler experience at Schiphol but also gained new efficiencies,” said Kier-co Gerritsen of the Dutch Ministry of the Interior.

The e-gates are equipped with facial recognition technology to validate passenger identities and process passenger information before admitting them through the border. They also alert border officers when “persons of interest,” who may be on the watch lists of national border agencies and international security organizations, enter the gates.

“With continuing growth in international travel volumes and increasingly complex documentation and visa requirements, there is a greater need than ever to verify passengers’ identities using new technologies that are supported by efficient human processes,” said Mark Crego, who leads Accenture’s Border and Identity Management business. “Accenture is working with border management agencies around the world to deliver solutions that facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods while, at the same time, increase border security and protect travelers.”

To use the e-gates, passengers must hold a biometric passport, which contains a contactless chip, has been issued by a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Region, (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland). Rather than having their passports manually checked, travelers enter an e-gate and place their passport on an automated device that reads and authenticates it. Once the identity of a passenger has been validated with a biometric face match and a background check has been done by the Dutch government, he or she can proceed to flight departure areas.

The physical gates were supplied and installed by Vision-Box, a Portuguese company that specializes in Automated Border Control systems. The software was developed in a collaboration between Accenture and Vision-Box. Accenture designed the process for travelers at the gates and created the interface that communicates with border agencies so they can monitor passengers and cross-check them against their watch lists. Accenture is responsible for overall project management and ongoing monitoring and training.

Featured

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

  • Study: Only 35 Percent of Companies Include Cybersecurity Teams When Implementing AI

    Only 35 percent of cybersecurity professionals or teams are involved in the development of policy governing the use of AI technology in their enterprise, and nearly half (45 percent) report no involvement in the development, onboarding, or implementation of AI solutions, according to the recently released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • New Report Series Highlights E-Commerce Threats, Fraud Against Retailers

    Trustwave, a cybersecurity and managed security services provider, recently released a series of reports detailing the threats facing the retail sector, marking the second year of its ongoing research into these critical security issues. Read Now

  • Stay Secure in 2024: Updated Cybersecurity Tips for the Office and at Home

    Cyber criminals get more inventive every year. Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and are a moving target for business owners in 2024. Companies large and small need to employ cybersecurity best practices throughout their organization. That includes security integrators, manufacturers, and end users. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3