ZF Electronics to supply secure access technology for UK Police Forces’ NPIA Framework Portal

This will allow ZF Electronics UK to list products on the NPIA framework portal as NPIA-approved devices for authenticating access to the Police National Database and Police National Computer. Enhanced security guidelines laid down by the NPIA require all fifty-six UK Police Forces, plus the British Transport Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary and other specialist Police divisions to ensure only authorized personnel can access the sensitive data held on the PND and PNC computer systems. ZF Electronics’ G83-6644LUAGB keyboards with integrated smart card reader, three models of standalone smart card reader (ST-1044UB, ST-1044UD and ST-1210), plus its Cherry SR-5044 Express Card and SR-4044 PCMCIA card readers have been approved for this application.

ZF Electronics UK’s success in securing this approval follows its successful tender in 2009 to supply Cherry G83-6644LUAGB-2 smart card keyboards incorporating a class-2 chip card reader to West Midlands Police for the Gateway high security programme, an initial part of the NPIA initiative. Now live, the Gateway programme has delivered an integrated high-security system across 38 different sites. The Metropolitan Police will be the next force to implement the NPIA guidelines and introduce Cherry smart card products.

Michael Groom, Managing Director of ZF Electronics UK, commented: “We are delighted to have been selected for the NPIA Portal against significant competition, which confirms our Cherry smart card products as being among the best and most cost-effective on the market.”