GITA Summit ’26:
Connecting technology, knowledge and expertise for the future of border control
The GITA Summit ’26 reinforced a key aspect of DESKO’s vision for the future of border control: technology is essential, but it only realises its full potential when combined with trusted knowledge, experienced professionals and a strong international network.
A major factor in this success was the excellent collaboration with Keesing Technologies and Foster+Freeman Forensic Science Innovation. Combining our complementary expertise, perspectives and shared commitment to secure document verification created exactly the kind of partnership and exchange needed to make a difference to the future of border control.
As document fraud becomes more sophisticated, border authorities and verification professionals need more than just increasingly powerful tools. They need access to reliable document intelligence, practical expertise and, above all, opportunities to exchange knowledge across organisations and borders.
That is precisely what made the summit so valuable. Experts came together to exchange perspectives, examine security features, gain hands-on experience with various inspection and authentication solutions, and use document reference data to assess identity documents. These exchanges provide vital background knowledge for understanding how document verification and border control will continue to evolve.
The keynote speakers added another highly practical dimension to the summit. Their topics were deliberately broad and relevant to different professional perspectives, ensuring that every participant could take away insights with immediate value for their day-to-day work. This combination of strategic outlook, specialist knowledge and directly applicable ideas made the sessions particularly valuable.
One lesson stood out in particular: a document that looks suspicious is not necessarily fraudulent. What appears to be tampering can sometimes simply be the result of everyday wear and tear. Distinguishing between the two requires the right technology, but also reliable data, expertise and experience.
For DESKO, this combination is key to preparing for the next generation of border control: smart technology, trusted information and a network of experts who continuously learn from one another. Events such as the GITA Summit create the space to build that network and turn shared knowledge into better verification practices.
“The future of border control will not be shaped by technology alone. It will be shaped by how effectively we integrate technology with trusted knowledge and, most importantly, with the people and networks that exchange expertise across borders. The GITA Summit is a prime example of why this exchange matters,”
Jessica Luh-Fuchs, Vice President of Marketing Communications at DESKO
A big thank you to everyone who made the GITA Summit ’26 possible – the speakers, presenters, organizers and participants who generously shared their knowledge and experience. We are proud to have co-hosted this inaugural summit together with Foster+Freeman Forensic Science Innovation and to have contributed DESKO’s perspective to the ongoing dialogue on the future of document verification and border control.
