Chain of Trust Pilot Completed, using Digital Travel Credentials to facilitate a seamless travel experience

OTTAWA, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Entrust has announced the successful conclusion of their participation in the Chain of Trust (CoT) Pilot, a six-month pilot project led by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CoT was tested between September 2021 and March 2022 and facilitated the border clearance of a small group of Canadian volunteer flight crew participants at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The program was operated by the CBSA in collaboration with partners, including Entrust, Face4 Systems, Factor Safe, Air Canada and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA).

To address increasing travel volumes while maintaining the safety and security of Canada’s border, the CBSA is exploring ways to provide self-service options for travelers and facilitate the free-flow of persons and goods through the international border clearance process.

The CoT pilot project tested the use of innovative technology solutions to assess the effectiveness of automating the collection and verification of traveler information and the authentication of travel documents while reducing physical touch-points in the border clearance process.

Launched amid pandemic-restricted travel in March 2021, the CoT Pilot was one of the world’s first use of the latest electronic passport technical standards. This technology delivered a high level of security at border crossings and interoperability with existing inspection systems to simplify and speed up passenger processing at busy travel hubs.

“The Chain of Trust Pilot was one of the first to offer a real-world look at the future of travel, one that allows border services to focus their attention on higher risk situations and exceptions, and simplifies entry for low-risk travelers,” said Gordon Wilson, Vice President, Identity Verification at Entrust. “Entrust is pleased to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the Government of Canada and all the partners in the Chain of Trust project. The project has proven its value and deepened our understanding of how digital transformation can evolve global travel.”

Demonstrating the Chain of Trust

The innovative CoT Pilot allowed volunteer Air Canada flight crew participants to use a smartphone app to expedite re-entry into Canada at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The program used identity verification technology from Entrust to confirm a traveler’s identity by positively associating them with their uploaded credential. The system leveraged information voluntarily provided in advance of arrival to enable early and continuous risk assessment.

Individual participants used their personal mobile device to extract data electronically from their ePassport, create a digital profile, and store it within the secure storage on their device. These data elements were collected to facilitate identifying the individual and the authenticity of their ePassport. A selfie picture was taken and linked to that individual’s CoT app profile for future travel.

The traveler’s verified credentials were then submitted to CBSA prior to border crossing. Customs declaration submission and assessment for border clearance were all processed through an orchestration layer. The traveler was guided through each step via personalized notifications sent to their smartphone. Border Services Officers participating in the pilot had visibility into traveler’s arrival status and could process travelers through a mobile app upon arrival in a seamless, touchless manner.

The CoT ensures traveler privacy using Privacy by Design principles, and personally identifiable information (PII) is safeguarded through encryption during transmission to the government. No PII has been retained by any non-government project partner.

This collaborative initiative was made possible by the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP). Led by Defence Research and Development Canada, in partnership with Public Safety Canada, the CSSP fosters innovative scientific and technological solutions to Canada’s public safety and security challenges.

The CBSA will take lessons learned from the CoT pilot project and use knowledge gained to advance its commitment to modernize existing border management policies, programs and technologies to a more efficient, sustainable, and innovative future state.

To learn more about Entrust Identity Verification Solutions, visit https://www.entrust.com/solutions/identity-verification.

About Entrust Corporation

Entrust keeps the world moving safely by enabling trusted identities, payments and data protection. Today more than ever, people demand seamless, secure experiences, whether they’re crossing borders, making a purchase, accessing e-government services or logging into corporate networks. Entrust offers an unmatched breadth of digital security and credential issuance solutions at the very heart of all these interactions. With more than 2,500 colleagues, a network of global partners, and customers in over 150 countries, it’s no wonder the world’s most entrusted organizations trust us. For more information, visit www.entrust.com.