IDEMIA Public Security has announced the successful launch of NAFIS NextGen, a next-generation biometric identification system in Australia. Developed in partnership with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), this marks the company’s first international cloud-based Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) deployment, setting a new global standard for biometric identification technology.
The new system, delivered in close collaboration with ACIC, Australian police agencies, and IDEMIA’s own technical teams, now operates fully on a secure cloud-hosted platform powered by Microsoft Azure. It complies with the Australian Government’s protected-level security requirements, ensuring that sensitive law enforcement data is stored and managed with the highest standards of protection.
Strengthening interoperability and efficiency
Built on a centralised application architecture, NAFIS NextGen delivers high performance and scalability while remaining cost-efficient. The system is designed to handle large transaction volumes and support advanced operational needs. One of its key advantages is improved interoperability between NAFIS and the Evidence Based Identification System (EBIS), allowing seamless data exchange and biometric matching between the two databases. This integration reduces data duplication and enhances the accuracy of criminal identification.
Thibaut Sartre, Senior Vice President of Justice and Public Safety at IDEMIA Public Security, highlighted the importance of the collaboration. “I’m proud to continue our partnership with the ACIC and enable a secure, efficient way to aid Australian law enforcement agencies in helping solve crimes by matching crime scene evidence to persons of interest when every second counts,” he said. “This offering demonstrates IDEMIA Public Security’s strong capability to deploy biometric identification solutions in various modes, whether that’s on premise or in the cloud, with market leading algorithms and upmost security features to meet the flexible needs of various customers and markets.”
Supporting law enforcement with advanced technology
NAFIS remains the only national fingerprint and palmprint identification system in Australia. It supports law enforcement operations across the country by processing more than 12,000 searches daily. These searches help investigators identify suspects, match fingerprints from crime scenes, and solve cases within minutes. The upgraded NAFIS NextGen system, based on IDEMIA’s Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS), brings significant improvements to accuracy, speed, and ease of access.
Key enhancements include improved fingerprint matching powered by IDEMIA’s latest algorithms, automated fingerprint image processing, and desktop access via a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. The platform also complies with the Australian Government Information Security Manual and includes an interactive training system to support users across agencies.
Empowering safer communities through innovation
With expertise in biometrics, artificial intelligence, and video analytics, IDEMIA Public Security continues to support law enforcement agencies globally. Its technologies are designed to help authorities identify suspects, establish connections, and save valuable time both in the field and during investigations.
Headquartered in Courbevoie, France, IDEMIA Group employs over 12,500 people worldwide. The company’s two core divisions—IDEMIA Secure Transactions and IDEMIA Public Security—provide secure solutions that protect digital and physical interactions for governments, businesses, and individuals. IDEMIA’s Public Security arm currently serves more than 600 government, state, and federal agencies with trusted, government-grade biometric solutions.
