ABC System for Automated Border Controls at Airports

Initial Situation 

The Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) needed to replace its Automated Border Control systems (ABC). The systems are used at the Schengen external border at Geneva and Basel airports for both entry and exit processing. Passenger checks are performed automatically through self-service e-gates. The FOCBS processes more than 5 million checks per year using this system. The system had to be integrated with the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) as well as with many information and search databases. The solution can handle both travelers from Schengen countries and third-country nationals holding residence permits, long-stay visas or an EES file.

Successes

We successfully procured the system. The system is still in realisation.

Activities

As external consultants, we:

  • Gathered and aligned requirements internally.
  • Developed concepts for more efficient and space-saving deployment of ABC systems at airports.
  • Prepared tender documentation (requirements specification and evaluation criteria).
  • Managed stakeholders*.
  • Evaluated proposals and formulated recommendations.
  • Created and managed the backlog in JIRA*.
  • Worked out detailed specifications with the supplier*.
  • Established testing processes and managed testing activities*.
  • Set up IT operations with the supplier and the Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication (FOITT) – including operating concept, operations manual, service agreement*.
  • Ensured compliance with IT security and data protection requirements, including the assessment if the protection needs (SchubAn), the IT security compliance (base and extended protection), the data protection compliance (data processing handbook) and the technical emergency handbook*.
  • Defined and implemented dashboards, and reports, including statistical data modeling and integration with the FOCBS central statistic system*.

* ongoing activities

Keywords

  • Automated Border Control (ABC)
  • Information and Search Databases (SIS, RIPOL, ASF, EES, ZEMIS, etc.)
  • Biometric Identification and Verification
  • Travel Document Inspection
  • Schengen Borders Code
  • SAFe
  • HERMES
  • WTO-GATT Procurement
  • Business Analysis
  • Test Management
  • IT Operations
  • IT Security, Information Security Ordinance (ISO)
  • Data Protection, Data Protection Ordinance (DPO)