Science Media Partners Ltd, organiser of the world-leading security document conference and exhibition – SDW 2016 – has announced that a new round of ePassport interoperability testing will take place at a special event to be held alongside the SDW show on 10-12 May 2016 in London.The interoperability tests (SDW InterOp 2016) will be focused on Supplemental Access Control (SAC), a set of security protocols to protect personal data stored in electronic ID documents like e.g. ePassports and ID cards.Although SAC has been implemented for some years, interoperability and conformity challenges still exist – particularly as more SAC enabled eMRTDs enter circulation, and with the introduction of new security mechanisms such as "Password Authenticated Connection Establishment with Chip Authentication Mapping" (PACE-CAM). PACE-CAM is specified in Technical Report BSI TR-03110 "Advanced Security Mechanisms for Machine Readable Travel Documents and eIDAS token".PACE-CAM combines PACE and Chip Authentication (CA) into one protocol leading to faster ID document verification. A number of countries within the European Union are expected to include this capability in the near future.To perform the technical aspects of the tests, Science Media Partners has engaged the independent services of secunet Security Networks AG, a leading German supplier of high-quality IT security. secunet was instrumental in supporting and running of earlier ePassport interoperability tests, including acting as the technical lead in the 2006 Berlin ePassport interoperability tests, and SDW InterOp 2013 which focused on prototype implementations of SAC.Who can participate in SDW InterOp 2016?Document (booklets or cards) providers supporting SAC – plus providers of inlays and chip operating systems;Document verification system providers;Qualified observers – who will be able to attend the tests and gather information.Event organisationThe event begins with document registration and set-up on 10 May. Document conformity and cross-over testing will take place on 11 May. This will be followed on 12 May by a session within the SDW 2016 conference programme, which will include the high-level results of the conformity and crossover tests.Mark Lockie, Event Director of SDW 2016 commented: "We are proud to host these ePassport interoperability tests. This event will provide a significant opportunity for document producers, verification system providers and governments to benchmark the extent to which their efforts towards conformity and interoperability have been reached, particularly as new protocols, such as PACE-CAM roll out."Technical organisationsecunet will operate the technical organisation of the InterOp test, but will work alongside other international Certified Testing Organisations, to:Evaluate SAC document conformity according to ICAO's Test Specification RF Protocol and Application Test Standard for eMRTD – Part 3 V2.07;Evaluate document behaviour in a typical document verification process;Evaluate crossover behaviour between provided document samples and verification systems.ePassport troubleshootingAn "Unofficial" ePassport Troubleshooting Office will also be set up to provide ePassport document conformity advice.Find out moreFull technical details, logistics, and registration details are available here.
SDW 2016 announces ePassport interoperability testing event
