1. Frontiers
Singapore’s Experience
with Border Security
IBM Executive Forum – Vienna, Austria
October 2008

2. SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
• Overview of ICA
• Checkpoints Clearance Framework
• Integrated Border Security and use of
technology
• Challenges in Border Security

3. OVERVIEW OF ICA
Formed on 1 April 2003 as integral part of Singapore
Government’s approach against global security threats
Under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
ICA is also the national registration and passport
issuing authority

4. Securing the Border
• ICA is more than just the merger of a Customs
Service with an Immigration Authority
• ICA is a border protection agency which is
responsible for the inspection and clearance of:
of
- People (travellers and crew)
- Cargo (containers and conventional cargo)
- Conveyances (aircraft, vessels and vehicles)

5. Facts & Figures
4.5 million people
700 sq km

6. Facts & Figures
In 2007, our checkpoints cleared:
• 143 million travellers
• 2.1 million containers
• 4.6 million consignments
• 1.3 million parcels

7. Checkpoint Clearance Framework
People Goods/Vehicles
Without Visa With Visa
Visas, Import
Pre-Clearance Declaration & Permit
Document checks,
Primary Clearance Blacklists
Secondary Clearance Interviews, Inspection
Singapore

8. People Clearance – 3 Key Factors
Identity Documentation
establish that the determine that the
traveler is indeed who document is genuine and
he/she claims to be Focus not tampered with
Areas
Intent
establish the purpose of travel

9. Establishing Identity
• Visa Electronic
Transmission System
(VETS)
• Submission of Application
for Visa Electronically
(SAVE) and e-VISA

10. Establishing Identity
• Information Management
System maintains records
of all travellers arriving and
departing Singapore
• On-line access to Watch
List and to Interpol LSP
database

11. Secure Documentation
Biometric Passport

12. Establishing Intent
Equip officers with
required skill sets – ie.
targeting and questioning
techniques, cross-
examination of documents
and traveller behaviour.
Professional Officers
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Inspiring Confidence in All

13. Technology in People Clearance
• Sentinel – an enhanced
people screening system
which :
• Capture images of
passport bio-data page and
relevant data for
processing
• Has counter forgery,
photo-substitution &
impersonation detection
capabilities

14. Technology in People Clearance
• Immigration Automated Clearance
System (IACS) – a frequent traveler
scheme which :
• Uses a photo ID card with a
smart chip containing the
biometric (thumbprint) of the
registered traveler
• Unmanned automated gates
with smart readers to process
these frequent travelers

15. Technology in People Clearance
• Enhanced Immigration Automated
Clearance System (eIACS) – no need
for pre-registration
• Unmanned automated gates
with smart readers to process
pre-identified travelers
• Uses Singapore International
Passport as a token
• Biometrics retrieved from local
server instead of from any chip in
card or passport

16. Technology in People Clearance
• Biometrics Identification
of Motorbikers System
(BIKES)

17. Technology in People Clearance
• Biometric Database for Immigration
Clearance (BDIC)
• Photo and fingerprint records of
immigration offenders and
persons of security interest
• Linked to other databases

18. Technology in People Clearance
• Immigration Facial Screening System (iFACE)
• Employs facial recognition technology
• Aims to detect travelers assuming multiple identities
& trying to evade traditional name based screening
• Can be deployed for both primary and secondary
checks
Blacklist Facial Screening
screened
against
Traveler’s live or
passport photo is
captured
Electronic Photo Blacklist

19. Technology in People Clearance

20. Technology in People Clearance
Integrated Screening System
which screens both traveller
as well as vehicle
Vehicle No. & Driver /
Passenger Information
Integrated
Screening
System
Vehicle toll
Vehicle collection
Screening system
System
Traveller
clearance and
screening

21. Cargo Clearance – 3 Key Factors
Identify - that the Category – that the
cargo is indeed cargo is properly
what is declared categorized
Documentation – to
check whether the
document is genuine
and in order
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Inspiring Confidence in All

22. Cargo Clearance
• Cargo Clearance System
allows for targeting of
containers and is linked to
the ports’ operations
• Radiographic Scanners
allows for non-intrusive
checks on cargo
• Other equipment enhances
capabilities to detect
contraband, arms, explosive
and hazardous materials

23. Works in Progress
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24. Conclusion
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25. THANK YOU