Ideco is a 50% black privately owned South African company which provides customised identity management solutions, based on the French company Sagem’s world-leading biometric technology.
In October 2006, the Ideco Group was awarded a 15-year contract to operate the AFISwitch (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) by the South African Police Services.
www.ideco.co.za
Changes to existing criminal checks –"Illicit Activity Check"
Essentially, AFIS operates as an automated checking service by creating an electronic information conduit between the Criminal Resource Centre in Pretoria and the Public. As all criminal records are accompanied by a set of fingerprints, AFIS will allow you to search for matches directly on the database, thus eliminating the potential for identity fraud.
In future the Criminal ‘Name Clearance’ check, which requires only a name and ID number, will be turned off by the South African Police Services CRC’s. We anticipate Name Clearance check’s to be turned off in Q1 2009. This requires customers to be ready by December 2008.
Please note that until the new process comes into effect RefCheck will continue to offer the existing name clearance criminal check. The process of submitting the customer name, ID and indemnity form remains unchanged.
Benefits
Benefits of the new automated system include accuracy, convenience, reliability, and security.
It is becoming apparent that Name Clearance checks are not 100% reliable due to SAPS database inaccuracies. The AFISwitch system provides criminal checks on candidates based on fingerprints taken. The uniqueness of one’s fingerprints ensures non-reputable electronic identification of individuals.
The AFISwitch technology requires applicant fingerprints to be captured via an electronic fingerprint reader. Results are submitted and the automated matching system returns either a ‘hit’ or no hit’ within 48 hours.
RefCheck is fully integrated with AFISwitch. This ensures our customers are able to conduct and manage Illicit Activity Checks directly from the RefCheck website.
Illicit Activity Check – AFISwitch
An Illicit Activity check must be accompanied by a full set of a candidate’s fingerprints. These fingerprints may be in paper format, as per the current process where the candidate goes to a SAPS police station to get their fingerprints made up under the supervision of a police officer.
More importantly, fingerprints may now be captured electronically on a fingerprint scanner, with results returned within 48 hours. The electronic format for fingerprints has been determined and can only be forwarded to SAPS via the AFISwitch using Sagem manufactured fingerprint readers (scanners).
The RefCheck solution
RefCheck is an accredited reseller of AFISwitch. We have integrated the RefCheck website directly with AFISwitch ensuring we are able to offer a full menu of background screening options to our valued customers.
- Conduct and manage the Illicit Activity Checks directly from the RefCheck website
- Intuitive application which guides users through the fingerprint capture process
- Easy access to view Illicit Activity results
- Purchase your approved fingerprint reader and software directly from RefCheck
All RefCheck customers will be sent detailed application forms which will allow you to register and purchase your fingerprint readers.
When will the Illicit Activity Check be implemented? [ Back to Top ]
Rollout of the Illicit Activity Check has begun. Registration and fingerprint reader application form will be sent to you shortly.
The decision to terminate the existing Name Clearance Checks lies with SAPS who have mandated Ideco to rollout AFISwitch as soon as possible. SAPS have indicated that this will happen on 31st January 2009. However, we anticipate this will only happen some time during Q1 2009 as there are still a couple of outstanding issues.
How would I obtain criminal name clearance checks until implementation? [ Back to Top ]
Until this process comes into effect, LexisNexis Risk Management will continue to offer the existing criminal name clearance check. The current process of submitting the customer name, ID and indemnity form remains unchanged.
How will the implementation impact my organisation? [ Back to Top ]
The process will impact your organisation in the following ways:
- There is a cost associated with the purchase or rental of the fingerprint scanner, a once-off training costs, and an increased cost per criminal check
- Candidates will be required to visit your offices to have their fingerprints captured
- You will need to assign internal staff to capture candidate fingerprints (LexisNexis will provide training). Operators must have a minimum Grade 12 education and will also be subject to credit and criminal check clearances on an ongoing basis.
- Consent for criminal name clearance checks is still required
How do I purchase a fingerprint scanner? [ Back to Top ]
The AFISwitch solution requires fingerprints to be captured on approved Sagen fingerprint readers (scanners).
Your organisation needs to determine the number of scanners you require. This may depend on your recruitment policies (centralised or decentralised).
Fingerprint readers and the associated software can be purchased directly from RefCheck.
Further communication with regards to pricing will be sent to each of our customers on an individual basis or a sales consult will contact you to discuss your requirements.
All RefCheck customers will be sent detailed application forms which will allow you to register and purchase your fingerprint readers.
If you already have a Sagem MSO300 scanner you will only have to purchase the Aware license.
Fingerprint readers (scanners) can be used across multiple background screening companies.
What are the minimum system requirements that I need to get started? [ Back to Top ]
In order to operate the AFISwitch software, you require:
- Minimum: Pentium 4
- Minimum: 512Mb RAM (not share with graphic card)
- Recommended: 1024 MB RAM
- Windows XP Professional with ServicePack2
- 2 USB ports (preferably USB2 - performance cannot be guaranteed on USB1)
- Minimum: 256 Graphic Card
- Display resolution: 1024 x 768, 32 bit colour
- Recommended: 10 Gigs free storage space (depending on use of system)
- Internet connectivity (3G, ISDN, ADSL recommended)
Antivirus: Any antivirus can be used but a connection to the AFISwitch needs to be allowed - this remains the responsibility of the client.
What will LexisNexis Risk Management provide to me? [ Back to Top ]
- A one-stop background screening solution that is fully integrated with AFISwitch
- Expert training on effective use of the fingerprint scanners and submission of results
- Free software
- Competitive pricing
What are the operational implications? [ Back to Top ]
The South African Police Services and AFISwitch require operators to be authorised and trained in order to capture electronic fingerprints.
- Each operator will be subject to a credit and illicit activity check, which will be performed prior to registration and on an ongoing 6-month basis.
- Specialised fingerprint training is required to ensure each operator is able to capture high quality fingerprints.
What training is required? [ Back to Top ]
RefCheck sales staff and specialized product trainers have attended an intensive 2-day training course. Training includes all aspects, from logging onto the system using your own fingerprints, ensuring you correctly capture candidate fingerprints, to recognising deliberate attempts to deceive the system.
RefCheck has put together a comprehensive training programme which we will provide to our clients. All operators will be required to attend the training before they are able to capture electronic fingerprints. Training will be provided at central locations around the country or on request at client offices. More information to follow shortly.
How does AFISwitch work? [ Back to Top ]
As a RefCheck customer you will logon to RefCheck and select which application or searches you wish to do as per your normal process. If an Illicit Activity search is selected you will be intuitively guided through the fingerprint capture process.
- Operators from your company will connect to the system using their own fingerprint and ID number
- The operator then takes the fingerprints of the client – All ten fingerprints must be captured using the fingerprint scanner
- The Fingerprints are automatically submitted via RefCheck and AFISwitch to the SAPS database for identification purposes
- Within 24 – 48 hours a Hit (possible conviction) or No Hit (no conviction) is returned to the RefCheck website
- If a possible conviction is returned you will be required to wait a couple of weeks for final confirmation. This process happens automatically and does not require any intervention from a client perspective.