Eu-LISA

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eu-LISA
European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Eu-LISA logo 2021.png
EuLISA HQ.jpg
eu-LISA headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia
Agency overview
Formed2011 (establishment)
1 December 2012 (2012-12-01) (began activities)
Jurisdiction European Union
HeadquartersVesilennuki 5, 10415
Tallinn, Estonia
59°27′02″N24°44′12″E / 59.450640°N 24.736670°E / 59.450640; 24.736670
Agency executives
Key document
Website eulisa.europa.eu
Eu-LISA

The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) is an agency of the European Union (EU) that was founded in 2011 to ensure the uninterrupted operation of large-scale IT systems within the area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ), that are instrumental in the implementation of the asylum, border management and migration policies of the EU. [1] It began its operational activities on 1 December 2012. [1]

Contents

The current establishing regulation [2] entered into force on 11 December 2018, repealing the previous regulation and expanding the Agency's mandate. The new mandate strengthens the Agency's capacity to improve, design and develop information systems for European security, border management and migration, and broadens the scope of the Agency's work on research, innovation, testing and on the possibility to support the development of pilot projects and proofs of concept. [3]

eu-LISA's headquarters are in Tallinn, Estonia, whilst its operational centre is in Strasbourg, France. [1] In addition, eu-LISA also has a technical backup site in St Johann im Pongau, Austria, and a liaison office in Brussels, Belgium. [3] The current executive director is Agnes Diallo, who assumed her role in March 2023. [4]

Management board

The management board composed of EU Member States and the European Commission oversees the agency's activities. [5] Observer status on the board is given to Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, as well as representatives of Eurojust, Europol, and Frontex. [5] The Management Board's Chairperson, since June 2018, is the Hungarian representative to the board, Zsolt Szolnoki. [5]

Mandate

eu-LISA and the AFSJ Information Systems 

eu-LISA has played a critical role in the operational management of large-scale IT systems and databases vital for the security of the European Union. These include the already existing Eurodac, SIS and VIS systems, as well as systems currently under development, such as ECRIS-TCN, EES and ETIAS. These systems, and the interoperability they provide, promise to change the landscape of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) area in Europe. The technologies being developed by eu-LISA will help the move away from the current outdated silo solutions and move towards the new holistic approaches that still fully respect the original objectives and data protection guarantees of the individual systems. eu-LISA works closely with Member States, the European Institutions and other AFSJ Agencies to ensure that the technical and procedural solutions applied optimally cover business requirements while remaining technically feasible. The eu-LISA ensures that the freedom, security, and justice management systems in Europe will be conserved for generations to come. [6]

eu-LISA aims to ensure the interoperability and compliance with data protection standards of all IT system under its management, whilst providing improved and secure access to EU Member State authorities to information stored at EU-level. [1] [7] Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland have signed agreements to become associated states with the agency. [8]

eu-LISA is responsible for following AFSJ Information Systems:

Eurodac - the European Dactyloscopy Database

The European Dactyloscopy Database (Eurodac), managed by eu-LISA, assists in the processing of European asylum applications. It is a centralised database that collects and handles the digitalised fingerprints of asylum seekers and irregular migrants. It helps determine the Member State responsible for examining an asylum application. National asylum authorities use Eurodac to store new fingerprints and compare existing records on asylum seekers. This aids the detection of multiple asylum applications and thus reduces “asylum shopping”. Law enforcement authorities and Europol can also access the system – under strict conditions – to prevent, detect and investigate terrorist and other serious criminal offences. [6]

New legislative proposals foresee extending the scope of Eurodac to allow for the storage of, and the possibility to search by, biometric data of irregular migrants found illegally staying in the EU, thus facilitating returns. Reinforcing Eurodac will ensure the system will continue to be a valuable tool for officers deployed at borders and hotspots. [6]

SIS - the Schengen Information System

The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a large-scale IT system, managed by eu-LISA, which supports internal security and the exchange of information on persons and objects between national police, border control, customs, visa and judicial authorities. Since the Schengen area has no internal borders, SIS assists national authorities in sharing information with their European counterparts whilst performing border checks, and in the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism, all of which with respect to the latest EU data protection requirements. In 2018, eu-LISA launched the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), which introduced a biometric search capability in SIS, allowing for the identification of persons of interest solely using fingerprints. [9]

The latest legislation foresees improvements within SIS to better address counter-terrorism and irregular migration. A more extensive use of biometric data and the creation of new categories of alerts, as well as the inclusion of more items in the already existing categories, is also foreseen. Wider access to Europol and access for Frontex hotspot teams is also a part of the legislation. [9]

VIS - the Visa Information System

The Visa Information System (VIS) is a large-scale IT system, managed by eu-LISA, which supports the implementation of the European Union’s common visa policy and facilitates border checks and consular cooperation in Europe. The system enables dedicated national authorities to enter and consult data, including biometrics, for short-stay visas for the Schengen Area. The system helps reduce “visa shopping” and irregular migration and contributes to the prevention of threats to the internal security of Member States. VIS provides quicker and clearer procedures for travellers requiring a visa to enter the Schengen Area. The system assists authorities in processing asylum applications and identifying persons who may not, or may no longer, fulfil the conditions to enter or stay in the Schengen area. [10]

The European Commission has proposed changes to legislation that will expand the scope of VIS by adding long stay-visas and residence permits to the system. Said proposals will also allow for more thorough background checks on visa applicants, thus closing security information gaps through better information exchange between Member States. [10]

EES - the Entry/Exit System

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new large-scale IT system being developed by eu-LISA that will enable the recording of entry and exit of third country nationals (TCN) to and from the Schengen Area. The system will replace the current practice of manual stamping of passports with electronic registration in a central database of biographic and biometric information, as well as the date and place of entry/exit for visits up to 90 days. [11]

The system aims to modernise and increase automation at border controls, to strengthen internal security and fight terrorism and organised crime. This will help Member States to deal with ever-increasing traveller flows without having to supplement the number of border guards. EES will allow for better monitoring of authorised stays and the identification of possible over-stayers. [11]

ETIAS - the European Travel Information and Authorisation System

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a new IT system for EU border management being developed by eu-LISA, which will improve the security and safety aspects of travelling to or through the Schengen Area. Once operational, ETIAS will require that all visa-exempt third country nationals planning to travel to the Schengen Area apply for pre-travel authorisation online. Similar to systems already existing in the USA, Canada and Australia, a valid passport, a credit card and minimal personal information will be needed. The information submitted will be automatically processed against existing EU databases (Eurodac, SIS and VIS), future systems EES and ECRIS-TCN, and relevant Interpol databases. This will enable advance verification of potential security, irregular migration and public health risks. [12]

The ETIAS will reduce procedures and bordercrossing times, strengthen border management, reinforce the EU’s visa liberalisation policy, help prevent irregular migration and fortify the fight against terrorism and organised crime. [12]

ECRIS-TCN - the European Criminal Records Information System - Third-Country Nationals

Sources: [1] [7]

The European Criminal Records Information System – Third Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN), to be developed by euLISA, will be a centralised hit/no-hit system to supplement the existing EU criminal records database (ECRIS) on non-EU nationals convicted in the European Union. Once operational, it will allow Member States to quickly find out in which other Member State(s) information on previous convictions of a non-EU national is stored. [13]

The system will provide judges, prosecutors and other relevant authorities with easy access to comprehensive information on an individual’s criminal history, no matter in which Member State that person was convicted in the past. Efficient exchange of criminal records information is instrumental in combating cross-border crime. ECRIS-TCN will contribute to implementing the principle of mutual recognition of sentences and judicial decisions in a common area of justice and security where people move freely, such as the Schengen Area. The ECRIS-TCN System is scheduled to be ready in conjunction with the roll-out of the components required to implement interoperability. [13]

CEAS - the Common European Asylum System

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schengen Information System</span> EEA database to support law enforcement

The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a governmental database maintained by the European Commission. The SIS is used by 31 European countries to find information about individuals and entities for the purposes of national security, border control and law enforcement since 2001. A second technical version of this system, SIS II, went live on 9 April 2013. An upgraded Schengen Information System entered into operation on 7 March 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Europol</span> European Union law enforcement agency

Europol, officially the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, is the law enforcement agency of the European Union (EU). Established in 1998, it is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and serves as the central hub for coordinating criminal intelligence and supporting the EU's member states in their efforts to combat various forms of serious and organized crime, as well as terrorism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frontex</span> Agency of the European Union tasked with external border control

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, commonly known as Frontex, is an agency of the European Union headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, exercising in coordination with the border and coast guards of member states the border control of the European Schengen Area, a task within the area of freedom, security and justice domain.

Third country national (TCN) is a term often used in the context of migration, referring to individuals who are in transit and/or applying for visas in countries that are not their country of origin, in order to go to a destination country that is likewise not their country of origin. In the European Union, the term is often used, together with "foreign national" and "non-EU foreign national", to refer to individuals who are neither from the EU country in which they are currently living or staying, nor from other member states of the European Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of the Schengen Area</span> Policy on permits required to enter the Schengen Area

The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and to other EU member states except Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schengen area.

European Dactyloscopy (Eurodac) is the European Union (EU) fingerprint database for identifying asylum seekers and irregular border-crossers. After the European Parliament approved the last Eurodac reform proposed by far-right party Vox, asylum applicants and irregular border-crossers over the age of 6 have their fingerprints, pictures, and other biometric data taken as a matter of EU law, which discriminatorily considers biometric data as a "special category of data" just in the case of EU citizens. These are then sent in digitally to a central unit at the European Commission, and automatically checked against other prints on the database. This enables authorities to determine whether asylum seekers have already applied for asylum in another EU member state or have illegally transited through another EU member state. The Automated Fingerprint Identification System is the first of its kind on the European Union level and has been operating since 15 January 2003. All EU member states currently participate in the scheme, plus four additional European countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swedish passport</span> Passport of the Kingdom of Sweden issued to Swedish citizens

Swedish passports are issued to nationals of Sweden for the purpose of international travel. Besides serving as proof of Swedish citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Swedish consular officials abroad.

The European Union Visa Information System (VIS) is a database containing information, including biometrics, on visa applications by Third Country Nationals requiring a visa to enter the Schengen area.

The Salzburg Forum (SF) is a Central European security partnership of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Member states cooperate in areas of police cooperation, illegal immigration, witness protection, fight against drugs, traffic safety and other areas of internal security. They also focus on positions coordination and advancing common interests in the European Union in the area of Home Affairs. At least two conferences of interior ministers per year are held. As a rule, three SF ministerial meetings are held per year. One meeting takes place in the country holding the presidency and one further meeting is usually held in summer in Austria. In addition, ministers regularly meet in the margins of EU Council meetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schengen Area</span> Area of 27 European states without mutual border controls

The Schengen Area is an area comprising 27 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders. Being an element within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union (EU), it mostly functions as a single jurisdiction under a common visa policy for international travel purposes. The area is named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement and the 1990 Schengen Convention, both signed in Schengen, Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Area of freedom, security and justice</span> EUs home affairs and justice policies

The area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ) of the European Union (EU) is a policy domain concerning home affairs and migration, justice as well as fundamental rights, developed to address the challenges posed to internal security by collateral effects of the free movement of people and goods in the absence of border controls or customs inspection throughout the Schengen Area, as well as to safeguard adherence to the common European values through ensuring that the fundamental rights of people are respected across the EU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs</span> Directorate-General of the European Commission

The Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs is a Directorate-General of the European Commission. The role of the body is to ensure the EU's security, to build a common EU migration and asylum policy, and to promote dialogue and cooperation with non-EU countries. Thereby, it contributes to the area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ).

Biometrics refers to the automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioral characteristics, not to be confused with statistical biometrics; which is used to analyse data in the biological sciences. Biometrics for the purposes of identification may involve DNA matching, facial recognition, fingerprints, retina and iris scanning, voice analysis, handwriting, gait, and even body odor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Union Agency for Asylum</span> Agency of the European Union

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) is an agency created by European Union Regulation 439/2010 within the area of freedom, security and justice framework to increase the cooperation of EU member states on asylum, improve the implementation of the Common European Asylum System, and support member states under pressure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Travel Information and Authorisation System</span> Electronic visitor authorisation system

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a planned electronic authorisation system of the European Union for visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen Area, as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Entry/Exit System</span> Planned European Union electronic system to replace passport stamps

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a large-scale IT system of the European Union for the automatic monitoring of the border-crossing of third-country nationals. Envisioned to replace passport stamps, the system will be installed at the external border crossing points of the Schengen Area, e.g. airports and seaports. As of July 2022, EES was scheduled to enter into operation at the end of May 2023, however this was later delayed to the end of 2023. After a further delay, EES is scheduled to enter operation in the second half of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passports of the EFTA member states</span>

Passports of the EFTA member states are passports issued by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EFTA is in this article used as a common name for these countries.

European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) is a database of criminal records, shared between members of the European Union, which started operation in April 2012.

The migration and asylum policy of the European Union is within the area of freedom, security and justice, established to develop and harmonise principles and measures used by member countries of the European Union to regulate migration processes and to manage issues concerning asylum and refugee status in the European Union.

Externalization describes the efforts of wealthy, developed countries to prevent asylum seekers and other migrants from reaching their borders, often by enlisting third countries or private entities. Externalization is used by Australia, Canada, the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Although less visible than physical barriers at international borders, externalization controls or restrict mobility in ways that are out of sight and far from the country's border. Examples include visa restrictions, sanctions for carriers who transport asylum seekers, and agreements with source and transit countries. Consequences often include increased irregular migration, human smuggling, and border deaths.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Who We Are". eu-LISA. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  2. ↑ Official Journal of the European Union (14 November 2018). "Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 on the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA), and amending Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 and Council Decision 2007/533/JHA and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1077/2011". Official Journal of the European Union.
  3. 1 2 EU-LISA CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2020 (29 June 2021). Document 2021–136 REV.1 eu-LISA Consolidated Annual Activity Report 2020. eu-LISA Management Board.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "Executive Director". eu-LISA. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "Management Board". eu-LISA. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 "Eurodac - Information on European Asylum Applications" (PDF). eu-LISA. 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Mandate And Mission | Core Activities". eu-LISA. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Arrangement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Iceland, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein, of the other part, on the participation by those States in the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice". European Union . Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  9. 1 2 "SIS - The most widely used IT system for security and border management in Europe" (PDF). eu-LISA. 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  10. 1 2 "VIS - Exchanging visa data between Schengen States" (PDF). eu-LISA. 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  11. 1 2 "EES - Enhanced Security with the Entry/Exit System" (PDF). eu-LISA. 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  12. 1 2 "ETIAS - European Travel Information Authorisation System" (PDF). eu-LISA. 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  13. 1 2 "ECRIS-TCN - European Criminal Records Information System - Third Country Nationals" (PDF). eu-LISA. 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
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