Semlex on Advancing Passport Standards and the Evolution of Logical Data Structure

Passports are critical documents for international travel, serving as proof of identity and citizenship. With the increasing use of technology in passport issuance and verification, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has been at the forefront of developing standards for electronic passports, commonly known as ePassports.

These standards aim to enhance the security, reliability, and interoperability of passports, while also enabling the use of biometrics for identity verification.

The current ePassport standards, based on ICAO doc 9303, define the specifications for the machine-readable zone (MRZ) on the data page of the passport, which contains the passport holder’s personal information in a standardised format. Additionally, the ICAO established Logical Data Structure version 1 (LDS1), which governs how data is stored in the passport’s micro-controller, ensuring that it is tamper-proof and internationally interoperable.

Developers at Semlex validate the need for a more efficient, secure, and reliable system for storing and verifying travel data. Such global requirements have prompted the ICAO to develop the next generation of ePassport standards, known as Logical Data Structure version 2 (LDS2).

Semlex indicates that manual verification of travel data such as visas and travel stamps, which are physically entered into the passport’s visa pages and manually checked, have several limitations.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is currently engaged in the development of the next generation of ePassport standards, known as Logical Data Structure version 2 (LDS2).

Initially implemented in 2005, the ePassport standards were based on ICAO doc 9303, which defined the specifications for machine-readable passports. The ICAO also established Logical Data Structure version 1 (LDS1), which governs how data is stored in the passport’s micro-controller to ensure international interoperability.

Currently, the information stored in the ePassport is static and cannot be modified after issuance, with the microcontroller being “read-only.” This “sealing” of data at the time of issuance enhances personal information protection and facilitates detection of passport tampering.

Technology company, Semlex, highlights that the limitations of manual verification can be solved by working with policy makers. The ICAO’s New Technologies Working Group (NTWG) has commissioned a sub-group to explore the policy and technical framework for the next generation of machine-readable passports, with a focus on the digital conversion of the entire document, beyond just the data page covered by ICAO doc 9303.

This next generation of specifications, known as Logical Data Structure version 2 (LDS2), will be optional and will introduce a read-write function, allowing for the addition of travel data and other information such as biometrics.

Semlex, launched in 1992 and based in Belgium, is one of the first private companies to specialise in identity services. They are identity and security providers to over 45 countries across the globe. Semlex emphasises that the conversion of travel stamps to digital format will bring several benefits, including greater consistency, reliability, and security, as well as easier access to data.

The instant addition of electronic visas through LDS2 will bolster client service and reduce costs associated with visa issuance. Furthermore, digitally signed storage of visa and travel stamps will enhance security against tampering and improve the flow at Automatic Border Control gates. Standard formatting of information will also enhance readability and reliability, and facilitate information exchange between countries.

LDS2 will also address the lack of a live biometric capture infrastructure in some countries while prioritising privacy. Citizens will have the option to voluntarily provide their biometric data to enjoy the convenience of fast-track through eGates.

Additionally, LDS2 will provide automated and reliable risk assessment by analysing travel patterns, entry and exit stamps, and travel history, enabling more efficient processing of travelers. The integration of frequent and trusted traveler programs will eliminate the need for dedicated documents, streamlining the travel process.

One of the significant advancements of LDS2 is the storage of biometric data within the passport’s micro-controller, providing stronger privacy as compared to external databases. Semlex indicates that all data stored in the LDS2 application must be signed by the inspection or visa issuance system, ensuring the authenticity of the data.

The ICAO NTWG Logical Data Structure 2 (LDS2) Sub-Group has made substantial progress in defining the LDS2 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for authenticity, integrity, and access authorisation. Implementation of LDS2 will further enhance the protection of passports against counterfeiting, copying, and unauthorised access to data.

Advancements of LDS2

LDS2 introduces several advancements compared to LDS1. One of the key advancements is the read-write function, which allows for the addition of travel data and other information, such as biometrics, to be stored digitally within the passport’s micro-controller.

This digital conversion of the entire passport, beyond just the data page, enables greater consistency, reliability, and security in the storage and verification of travel data.

Semlex founder Albert Karaziwan explains “the storage of biometric data within the passport’s microcontroller is a significant advancement of LDS2. This allows for stronger privacy compared to external databases, as the biometric data is stored securely within the passport itself.

Citizens will have the option to voluntarily provide their biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial images, during the passport issuance process, which can then be used for fast-track processing through eGates at immigration checkpoints”

Furthermore, LDS2 will address the lack of a live biometric capture infrastructure in some countries while prioritising privacy.

Karaziwan says the integration of frequent and trusted traveler programs into LDS2 will eliminate the need for separate documents, streamlining the travel process for pre-screened travelers and enhancing security through automated and reliable risk assessment based on travel patterns, entry and exit stamps, and travel history.

Another advancement of LDS2 is the standard formatting of information, which enhances readability, reliability, and facilitates information exchange between countries. The instant addition of electronic visas through LDS2 will also bolster client service and reduce costs associated with visa issuance.

Digitally signed storage of visa and travel stamps enhances security against tampering and improves the flow at Automatic Border Control gates, making the travel process more efficient and secure.

Implementation and Security Measures

The ICAO NTWG Logical Data Structure 2 (LDS2) Sub-Group has made substantial progress in defining the LDS2 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for authenticity, integrity, and access authorisation. This PKI ensures that all data stored in the LDS2 application must be signed by the inspection or visa issuance system, ensuring the authenticity of the data and protection against counterfeiting, copying, and unauthorised access.

Semlex warrants that the implementation of LDS2 will require upgrades to the existing passport issuance and verification systems, as well as training for border control officers and other stakeholders. However, the benefits of LDS2, such as enhanced security, privacy, efficiency, and interoperability, outweigh the associated costs and efforts.

The development of Logical Data Structure version 2 (LDS2) by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) introduces a read-write function, allowing for the digital conversion of the entire passport, beyond just the data page, and the storage of biometric data within the passport’s micro-controller.

This enhances privacy, security, and efficiency in the storage and verification of travel data, while also facilitating interoperability and standardisation between countries. The integration of frequent and trusted traveler programs, standard formatting of information, and the addition of electronic visas further enhance the benefits of LDS2.

The implementation of LDS2 will require upgrades to existing systems and training for stakeholders, but the advantages of enhanced security, privacy, and efficiency in the passport issuance and verification process make it a worthwhile endeavor. The PKI for authenticity, integrity, and access authorisation adds an additional layer of security to protect against counterfeiting and unauthorised access.

Logical Data Structure version 2 (LDS2) represents a significant advancement in ePassport standards. The storage of biometric data, standard formatting of information, and integration of trusted traveler programs are some of the key advancements of LDS2. While implementation efforts may be required, the benefits of LDS2 outweigh the associated costs, making it a valuable tool in enhancing the security and reliability of passport issuance and verification processes worldwide.

With LDS2, the travel process can become more streamlined, secure, and convenient for travelers, while also improving the ability of border officers to verify travel data and detect fraudulent documents.

The continued efforts of the ICAO and its member states including passport solution providers such as Semlex are crucial in developing and implementing advanced ePassport standards such as LDS2 and ensuring the integrity and security of global travel and immigration systems.