Regula, a global leader in forensic devices and identity verification solutions, has unveiled a major update to its Regula Document Reader SDK. This upgrade now fully supports the new Digital Travel Credential (DTC) format, which aligns with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The enhanced software empowers governments, airlines, and border control authorities to process travel documents securely and efficiently, whether on-site or remotely.
Digital Travel Credentials: A Game-Changer for Travel Security
The DTC is an innovative, secure digital solution that simplifies the travel experience. By consolidating critical personal information into a single virtual document, the DTC allows travelers to store their details on mobile devices or digital wallets, ready to share whenever necessary. Designed to streamline clearance procedures during travel, the DTC ensures that passengers are eligible for entry into their destination country before they even board their flight.
The ICAO has outlined three types of DTC, each offering varying levels of security and convenience for passengers:
- DTC Type 1: This type allows travelers to create their own digital credentials by extracting a Virtual Component (DTC-VC) from a physical electronic identity document. Travelers must still carry the original document for verification.
- DTC Type 2: Issued by authorities, this format combines a cryptographically linked Virtual Component (DTC-VC) and a Physical Component (DTC-PC), enhancing security while maintaining a link to the physical document.
- DTC Type 3: Representing the future of travel identification, this fully digital solution eliminates the need for a physical ID, streamlining the entire identity verification process.
Full Integration with Regula Document Reader SDK
With the latest update, Regula’s Document Reader SDK now fully supports all aspects of DTC processing. Users can create and verify DTC-VC from ePassports, as well as handle DTC-PC with ease. Key features of the updated SDK include:
- RFID chip reading: The SDK can read the document’s RFID chip using a smartphone or passport reader, enabling the creation of DTC-VC.
- Verification of DTC-VC: The SDK allows the recognition, reading, and verification of DTC-VC with a smartphone, passport reader, or server.
- DTC-PC support: The SDK now handles DTC-PC, reading its data and verifying it effectively.
Ensuring Security and Compliance
Regula’s Document Reader SDK prioritizes security, offering trusted server-side NFC verification for accurate DTC-VC creation. This ensures that all data extracted from the chip is verified securely, eliminating the possibility of data manipulation on mobile devices. Additionally, the SDK guarantees full compliance with ICAO guidelines and technical reports, assuring authorities of the DTC’s validity.
Future-Proof Technology
Looking ahead, Regula is preparing for the future of digital IDs. The updated SDK is fully compatible with DTC-PC and will be ready to handle DTC Type 3, expected to be implemented in the coming years.
Regula’s technology leverages the world’s most extensive identity document template database, which includes over 14,000 ID templates from 251 countries and territories. This database is continuously updated to ensure global compatibility.
Seamless Integration for Businesses
The Regula Document Reader SDK is built for seamless integration into third-party applications, offering a straightforward setup for developers. With customizable options, businesses can quickly adapt the solution to meet their unique needs, offering users a secure and efficient digital experience.
The Future of Digital Travel Credentials
Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula, commented: “As digital IDs become increasingly mainstream, the aviation sector is embracing these technologies at an accelerated pace. By supporting the new DTC format, we are helping our clients transition smoothly to a digital-first future that redefines the passenger experience.”
