Tag: Technology 101

Holograms, the decades-old technology, is holding its own even as secure authentication relies more on biometrics and digital methods of ID. In spite of the newer tech, holograms are appearing on more passports and appear poised to command a place in the emerging mobile ID world.

Embedded card security features – or document security features – are classified into three levels based on how they are read in the field. Level 1 are overt features that can be read by the naked eye, while Level 2, Covert features require basic tools and Level 3, Forensic features can only be seen in a lab setting using sophisticated equipment. While all levels can play a role in total document security, Level 1 has emerged as the essential features as they can be verified readily with only minor training.

Ultra-violet (UV) inks let passport and card issuers embed strong security features into the identity document itself. UV printing is considered a Level 2 – or covert security feature -- because the images are not visible to the naked eye. A new embedded security feature from ITW enables layering of multiple UV images to deter counterfeiting of passports, ID cards and ...

For centuries, paper was the material of choice when it came to producing identity documents. From the 1970s onwards, plastic has gradually taken the place of paper for documentation purposes. But just like we are tackling cyber-fraud, people’s physical ID documents are still the primary form of identification and are one of the weakest links in identity chain. Polycarbonate, a new stronger material, is gradually gaining traction and could represent the next-generation in secure ID documents. But is physical ID document security taking a backseat to cybersecurity?