Monday, July 23, 2007

Increasing the Security of ID Cards with Holograms

ID card systems have come a long way. Today’s card printing technology delivers superior image quality and exceptional card durability at a surprisingly affordable cost. A typical card in daily use should last at least two years, while card readers have a typical life of up to seven years.

But, with forgery and counterfeiting now a serious issue, what defence mechanisms are solutions providers putting in place to protect the end user? Detailing the holder’s name, photograph and/or signature – or colour coding cards to show access entitlement – makes it easier to identify the owner at a glance. That said, what’s to stop someone duplicating these ID cards and gaining access to restricted areas? In some cases nothing at all, other than access to a standard plastic card printer.

The following linked article discusses some considerations for increasing security, including the use of holograms:


(Please note that ARC Training does not specifically endorse any of the products in the above-linked article)