ePass

ePass is a general term used to describe electronic passes or credentials that authenticate an individual and grant access to services, facilities, or transportation. The concept covers a range of systems, including electronic passports (e-passports) used for international travel and digital passes used for building access, campus credentials, event tickets, and public transit.

In border control and immigration, e-passport is a passport with an embedded contactless chip that stores biographic and biometric data. The chip can be read remotely to verify identity and document integrity, using cryptographic authentication. International standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) underpin most e-passport designs, and deployment began in the 2000s and expanded in subsequent years.

For non-travel applications, ePass systems issue digital credentials that can reside on smart cards or mobile devices. These are used for secure access to facilities, timekeeping, student or employee IDs, and electronic ticketing. Technologies commonly include contactless RFID/NFC and cryptographic tokens, with support for revocation and timely credential updates.

Security and privacy considerations include encryption, mutual authentication, and secure key management. Because ePass can contain biometric or personally identifiable data, deployments emphasize privacy by design, data minimization, and compliance with privacy laws. Interoperability and scalable revocation are important for nationwide or international use.