Digital Counterfeiting of Security Documents: Is Digital Reproduction Still in Advance of the Security Print Industry?

Abstract

Although counterfeiting of banknotes and other documents of value continues to cause concern in the central banks, in reality it is “small beer” when compared to the billions of dollars lost each year through credit card fraud and e-fraud. Probably more of concern, given the increased threat of world terrorism, is the apparent ease with which a relatively unskilled forger can replicate and modify passports, Identity Cards, Access Cards and other “secure” documents.This session will review the different major types of secure documents in everyday usage (passports, VISAs, ID cards, entry cards etc.) and the types of technologies that can be used to reproduce these. Through a number of “attempted counterfeits” the session will discuss how the counterfeiter might try and defeat various overt and covert security “deterrents”.As well as a review of desktop scanners and inkjet/laser printers which might be used by the casual counterfeiter, the session will also look at digital offset, CTP, drum scanners, magnetic strip readers and other technologies that the professional counterfeiter might use to prepare more “accurate” replicas.The session will finish with a discussion of possible ways that print and digital repro. industry vendors and suppliers can help to mitigate and/or help deal with this threat without having to sacrifice print quality, performance and/or device capability.