International digital security company Gemalto (News - Alert) is now working with the public body that completes licensing and vehicle registration in the Netherlands – the Rijksdienst voor Wegverkeer (RDW). It will provide the regulatory body with its Sealys electronic driving license in order to help the country combat license fraud and forgery.

Sealys combines three forms of security to achieve that aim: visual, physical, and electronic. Each card will display information about the driver, including a photo and personal information, atop an imbedded microprocessor that stores those same details in a computer-readable format. The chips will help Dutch police confirm that the information physically printed on each card is applicable to each driver presenting his or her card.

Andre Uuldriks, unit manager of the Driving License department for the RDW, commented about the implementation of the new cards.

“Ensuring only authorized drivers take to the road is a vital element of any road safety program, and the driving license also serves as official ID credential for citizens,” said Andre Uuldriks, Unit Manager of the Driving License department for RDW. “We loved the unique combination of security features matching a very advanced document design. We plan to introduce the new electronic driving license no later than the end of year.”

Gemalto also spoke in its announcement about the physical aspects of the card that can allow officials to determine each document’s authenticity. A driver’s photo will be displayed twice on each card and will have a transparent layer. The Sealys Secure Surface technology, the company website describes, can include a multiple-lens surface that can display images at any viewing angle, an optically-variable surface that reflects light and can display animation effects as the card moves, and has a 3D polycarbonate body which can be embossed or include tactile elements such as braille.

Gemalto recently acquired data protection and software monetization product provider SafeNet (News - Alert) for $890 million. The acquisition will allow Gemalto to improve its network data protection capabilities that includes cryptographic systems and cloud-based security. There is no word in this recent announcement concerning the RDW that Gemalto will provide any sort of data protection for the state. However, if that sort of situation comes to pass, the purchase of SafeNet should place Gemalto in a more established position to be able to do so.