eu-LISA's Digital Newsletter

The eu-LISA Bits & Bytes provides an overview of the Agency's recent progress and the state-of-play on the development and management of the large-scale IT systems that govern the Schengen Area's internal security.

In this issue:

… and more.

Past & future editions



Large-Scale IT Systems – Evolution and Outlook

In addition to managing and updating the existing large-scale IT systems under the Agency's remit, 2022's agenda for eu‑LISA also foresees the final touches for next year's delivery of the SIS upgrade, as well as two new large-scale systems - EES and ETIAS -, while continuing work on the Interoperability architecture among all systems.

According to the revised timelines, the SIS upgrade will be rolled out in early 2023, while EES is foreseen to enter into operations in May 2023, followed by the ETIAS go-live by the end of the year.

For an overview on how these systems help us ensure #ASaferEurope, consult our revamped informational portal:

Discover eu-LISA


The expected high level of performance and availability for SIS, VIS, Eurodac and their sub-systems remained unchanged in the second half of 2022. Starting 2023, a new system will be part of eu‑LISA's portfolio: e‑CODEX. The Interoperability components are to be developed throughout next year and will be progressively put into operation to ensure full functionality by the second half of 2024.

Once in place, this new IT architecture will be one of the world's most technologically advanced border management systems, providing all relevant national authorities with complete, reliable and accurate information, in full respect of data protection requirements.

eu-LISA's 10-Year Anniversary: 2012 - 2022

Part II


In our previous issue, we had a look at the hard numbers - facts and figures - that make up the Agency. But the evolution from a small technical entity to the Digital Heart of Schengen could not have been successfully completed without the human factor. Let us see what some of the people that have been part on this journey have to say:


They say an image is worth a thousand words, and the following collection, in addition to speaking volumes, might also stir feelings of nostalgia for some. Our 10-Year Photobook takes us on an illustrated journey through time.

Interactive

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PDF

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(Re) Discover eu-LISA

A new, strengthened mandate, a new visual identity, a new IT system in our portfolio: all these mean it was definitely time to revamp our Discover eu‑LISA portal - an interactive mini-website showcasing the specifics of our core activities in the broader context of EU internal security and border management.

Featuring a fresh new look, the portal outlines the key facts you need to know about each of the large-scale IT systems managed and/ or developed by eu‑LISA. For the key business areas of the Agency, we also have explainer videos and downloadable PDF leaflets.

An easy way to test your knowledge is by trying out the eu‑LISA Challenge, a short quiz embedded in the portal, that will lead you through the main aspects of the Agency's work, tasks and organisation.

eu-LISA Industry Roundtable • 11-12 October 2022

The 16th edition of the eu-LISA Industry Roundtable, "EES and ETIAS- Getting Ready for the Entry into Operation", took place in Tallinn and online, reuniting over 400 participants from 55 countries.

Organised in cooperation with the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, the two-day event focused on presenting and discussing new technology solutions, associated business and operational processes developed and deployed in relation to the Entry/Exit System (EES), and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

115
In-person participants
303
Online participants
55
Countries
20
Presentations

Session I

Setting the Scene:
Legal Framework and Updates

The session provided the latest updates from the legislation, implementation roadmap and technology perspectives in the area of border crossing management and the role that carriers play in this respect.

Session II

Setting the Scene:
The Carriers' Perspective

Representatives of associations of air, sea and land carriers explained how the EiO of EES and ETIAS will be addressed from the perspective of business and operational processes, as well as the solutions considered to handle their implementation.

Session III

Operational Pilot Projects in Air Passenger Transport

The session showcased pilot projects carried out in the field of air passengers transport, highlighting the experience and lessons learned from the air carriers' side and how these can help in preparing for the real operational conditions that will be put in place with the EiO of EES and ETIAS.

Session IV

Operational Pilot Projects in
Sea and Land Passenger Transport

Having the same format and goals as Session III, this session covered pilot projects carried out for sea passenger transport (e.g., cruise lines) and land passenger transport (e.g., coach lines).

Session V

Industry Solutions for Air, Sea and Land Passenger Transport to Support the EiO of EES and ETIAS

The session was dedicated to innovations and new technology solutions applicable for supporting business processes related to the EiO of EES and ETIAS.

Photo Gallery


Photos by Sven Tupits

Read more on the Roundtable Website

eu-LISA Annual Conference • 13 October 2022

The anniversary edition of the eu-LISA Annual Conference, "10 Years as The Digital Heart of Schengen", marking a decade of activity for the Agency, was organised in cooperation with the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and held in Tallinn and online.

Reuniting over 130 participants in Tallinn and almost double online (260), the event took stock of the Agency's achievements, milestones and key events over the past ten years, while also looking ahead to the next direction in eu‑LISA's evolution, and the areas where the Agency could further contribute to support the EU Institutions' and Member States' efforts in making Europe safer and stronger.

The speaker line-up featured high-level representatives of eu‑LISA stakeholders, EU Member States, as well as EU Institutions and Agencies, including European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson. The conference also symbolically marked the end of the Executive Director Krum Garkov's term in office.

Video Gallery


With a total of four panels, the conference covered eu‑LISA's journey from a technical Agency to the Digital Heart of Schengen, as well as the role played in two key areas for Europe's internal security: home affairs and e-justice.

Throughout the conference, the audience had the opportunity to vote on key questions concerning interoperability, judicial cooperation and new domains in which eu‑LISA might potentially contribute. The results:


The last panel, appropriately titled "A glance into the future: what's next for eu‑LISA?", saw discussions about budgetary and resource allocations, the dematerialisation of travel documents, ensuring the resilience of eu‑LISA's IT systems (both from a cyber, but also from a non-cyber point of view), the challenges of interconnecting with third countries, or even the delicate balance in establishing data protection responsibility in a complex scenario, such as a French police officer working for EU Agency Frontex in Poland and going to Greece to board an Italian vessel.


For 10 years, we grew eu-LISA from a small technical entity to the Digital Heart of Schengen. I'm really proud that our work positively affects the lives of more than 420 million people living in the Schengen Area.
Krum Garkov, Executive Director of eu-LISA (2012-2022)

Photo Gallery


Photos by Sven Tupits

Read more on the Conference Website

– 10 Years of Service –


Executive Director Krum Garkov handing over the key to the Agency to Deputy Executive Director Luca Tagliaretti, now Interim Executive Director; Photo by S.P.


In October 2022, the Agency warmly said goodbye to its first Executive Director, Krum Garkov, who has led the Agency for over a decade on its digitalisation path in the area of freedom, security and justice.

"We are all very grateful to Krum for his leadership and tireless work during the last 10 years. Under his guidance, eu‑LISA has grown into the Digital Heart of the Schengen Area, supporting the implementation of asylum, border management and migration policies in the European Union. This growth is continuing and the entire security ecosystem of the Schengen Area will soon evolve with the introduction of EES and ETIAS", says Luca Tagliaretti - eu‑LISA's Interim Executive Director as of 1 November 2022.

Season's Greetings

At that time of the year when joy (and freedom) should be more present than ever, we look forward to the New Year with hope, as new large-scale IT systems will soon be rolled out to ensure and further enhance the security of EU citizens.

For over a decade, eu‑LISA has been connecting Europe while also protecting it, striving to ensure the free movement of over 420 million people moving through the Schengen Area.

Our warmest wishes go out to our partners, stakeholders, colleagues and, last but not least, our team - who made this 10-year journey possible.

Happenings

  • Nov 29

    EU JHA agencies take stock of 2022 achievements

    The nine EU Agencies active in the field of freedom, security and justice convened in Budapest for a high-level meeting, to take stock of the main achievements in 2022, which includes the ongoing engagement with Ukraine and Moldova.

    Read more

  • Nov 3

    German Ministry of Justice Delegation visits eu‑LISA

    A delegation led by the Parliamentary State Secretary of the German Ministry of Justice, visited eu‑LISA's Headquarters in Tallinn, to discuss the digitalisation of justice in the EU and the future development of e-CODEX.

    Read more

  • Nov 1

    Luca Tagliaretti becomes eu-LISA's Interim Executive Director

    As of 1 November 2022, eu-LISA Deputy Executive Director, Luca Tagliaretti, takes the role of Interim Executive Director, to further advance the Agency in its work in the area of freedom, security and justice in this transitional period.

    Read more

  • Sep 28

    eu-LISA's Working Group on AI discusses internal security priorities

    eu-LISA hosted the first hybrid meeting of its Working Group on Artificial Intelligence (WGAI) in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss use-cases for the implementation of AI in the areas of internal security and migration.

    Read more

  • Sep 14

    eu-LISA committed to defending EU values

    The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered her 2022 State of the Union address (SOTEU) to the European Parliament, presenting the achievements of the past year and the priorities for the year ahead, some of which directly impact eu‑LISA's work.

    Read more

  • Sep 14

    Annual meeting of the EU Innovation Hub

    The EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security, of which eu‑LISA is a committed member, held its Annual Event in Brussels, under the overarching theme "Shaping responsible solutions for internal security".

    Read more

  • Sep 13

    eu-LISA awarded for innovative public communication

    eu-LISA received a Forbes Social Award for its innovative and inspirational initiatives in the field of public communication.

    Read more

  • Sep 12

    EU JHA agencies' joint paper on COVID-19

    The EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies' Network (JHAAN) has released the second update of the joint paper on the COVID-19 response, contains details on the individual and joint efforts for mitigating the impact of COVID-19.

    Read more

  • Sep 2

    eu-LISA R&D contributing to the EAB Annual Conference

    eu-LISA was proud to work together with the European Association for Biometrics (EAB), by actively contributing to the organisation of the 9th edition of the EAB Research Projects Conference – an yearly event that offers a dissemination platform for EU-funded projects' results in the fields of security, border management and ID management.

    Read more

  • Aug 23

    EU JHA agencies present concrete actions in support of Ukraine

    The European Union agencies active in the field of justice and home affairs, including eu‑LISA, issued a joint paper on their contribution to the EU's solidarity with Ukraine.

    Read more

eu-LISA - The Digital Heart of Schengen

The European Union Agency eu-LISA became operational in 2012 to manage large-scale information systems in the area of freedom, security and justice. Today, we are at the forefront of Europe's information-driven border management and internal security, facilitating the implementation of one of EU citizens' fundamental rights - the right to free movement within the Schengen Area.

The headquarters of eu-LISA are in Tallinn, Estonia, whilst its operational centre is in Strasbourg, France. There is also a technical business continuity site for the systems under management based in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria, and a Liaison Office in Brussels, Belgium.

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