Turkey will start using one of the most reliable passports in the world with the Smart Card Operating System (AKIS) developed by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM. Thanks to its compliance with international standards, it can be used for both national passports and passports of different countries abroad. The first version of the AKİS Traveler series, which is the continuation of the AKİS v1.4 version, which has the international standard ICAO 9303 and was developed for the use of e-Passport and ID cards as travel cards, was produced in 2018 and started to be used in identity cards as well. In addition, these cards have been coded and certified to be used as e-Driving Certificates in compliance with international ISO/IEC 18013 standards.
What is AKIS?
AKİS is a nationally developed (native) smart card operating system. AKİS runs on a microprocessor with high security features and provides electronic signature, encryption and security keys transport and similar crypto services. In daily life, smart cards with AKIS can be used for different purposes such as electronic signature, electronic identity card, credit card, public transportation card and so on. AKİS has the Common Criteria CC EAL Security Certificate and is designed to run on domestic and foreign smart card microprocessors with the same certification. AKIS, the first and only national operating system running on smart card chips, aims to ensure that there is no foreign dependency, that algorithms can be updated, and that new features can be developed.
The e-Passport application, which is one of the AKİS products, has also been developed in accordance with ICAO 9303 standards. Thanks to the Basic Access Control (BAC) and Supplementary Access Control (SAC) features, the information on the contactless chip can only be read with secure communication, and the passport is prevented from being copied thanks to the Active Authentication feature. In addition, with the EAC feature, personal biometric data is protected by using CVC certificates, only authorized countries can access this data.
TÜBİTAK BİLGEM has developed many secure products with high crypto capabilities, in line with international standards, with the Smart Card Operating System (AKIS) and applications it has developed. The products produced by the AKİS group have international Common Criteria Certification Certificates issued by TSE. TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, with its AKİS product family, has managed to complete more than 20 CC certifications in Turkey so far and has become the institution with the most Common Criteria Security Certificates in its field in Turkey.
