Entrust acquires identity verification company WorldReach
Global security company Entrust has acquired WorldReach, enabling them solutions for Digital Traveller and Citizen Identity experiences.
WorldReach Software is a Canadian company that helps governments and travel service providers create traveller experiences through the digitalisation of the identification process for immigration and border management programmes.
The Ottawa-based company was founded in 1998, and its over 30 employees have joined Entrust with the acquisition, including founder and CEO, Gordon Wilson, who will continue to lead WorldReach as an Entrust business. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Entrust says the ability to verify identity and manage access digitally is an important step for transforming travel and citizen services around the world. And due to WorldReach having experience in identity verification and digital onboarding solutions for both governments and global travel providers, it says it's a good fit for the company.
"With the WorldReach acquisition, Entrust can help these organisations reshape government and travel service experiences around secure digital identities," says Entrust CEO, Todd Wilkinson.
According to Entrust, there is an effort from governments, border authorities, and the travel industry to modernise digital services for citizens and travellers to create more of a touchless, seamless and efficient experience.
WorldReach's experience in identity and document verification technology could enable government agencies and travel service providers to reach these goals.
Some potential solutions could include Electronic Travel Authorisation and enrolment for security screening, arrival and border security, a zero-touch customs and border management solution, and a digital onboarding programme for immigration that uses remote identity verification with ePassport chip reading and liveness detection.
"We see tremendous opportunity to leverage digital identity and encryption technology in innovative ways to make the experience of travel, border crossing, immigration and other citizen services more secure, safe and seamless," says WorldReach founder and VP, and Entrust Global Lead for Seamless Travel, Gordon Wilson.
"As part of Entrust, WorldReach customers will benefit from the opportunity to integrate proven Entrust technology and expertise in digital travel credentials, PKI and certificate solutions and identity and access management.
The company believes it is in a strong position within the verifiable credential space. In part due to its involvement in the UK governments EU national immigration status checks, and the new Digital Travel Credentials standards.
"Entrust will leverage its global reach and professional services to extend the opportunities of WorldReach services to positively impact tens of millions of digital interactions annually for travellers and citizens," says Entrust's SVP of Instant Issuance, Tony Ball.
"Entrust is a world leader in data security and digital and physical credentials. By adding the WorldReach team, we extend our ability to serve government and large enterprise customers, particularly in the international travel sector.
"In the wake of the global pandemic and the drive for safe and rapid digital transformation to serve travellers and citizens around the world, these services are more relevant than ever.
