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HIGHSECPassport

Advanced technology and documents making international travel more secure

Passport and visa forgery is the starting point for a wide range of illegal activities, particularly identity theft. Around the world, numbers of forged documents are growing. Sophisticated hardware and software tools for i mage reproduction have become freely available for use at home, providing ample opportunities to counterfeit or alter passports and other forms of identification. T herefore, international efforts are increasingly directed at b oosting the security of travel documents. Travel document security features have to be so advanced that they cannot be imitated using widely available technology. The HIGHSEC passport by Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) achieves this through an ideal combination of techniques used in security paper manufacturing, passports contain security printing, and book production. HIGHSEC state-of-the-art security features that are essentially counterfeit-proof but at the same time easily and uniquely verifiable. G&D makes passports from start to finish. We not only manufacture our own paper, but we also perform security printing, production of laser-engravable data pages, and passport binding on our own premises. With two independent passport production lines, G&D can produce more than 10 million passports a year. Working closely with our customers, we determine their individual requirements and offer tailor-made products that provide effective protection and meet international standards.

Electronic passports: ultimate document and data security


When people travel to other countries, they traditionally carry a passport. This allows them to be identified by means of visual verification: a photo printed on the passport is compared with the face of the person claiming to be the rightful holder. Increasing international terrorism, organized crime, and illegal migration, however, have drivenin ter national efforts to implement new ways of increasing accuracy during the identification process. Key advancements have been made towards unequivocal identification of travelers, both in the documents themselves and in verification procedures. Conventional passports allowing visual comparison have been upgraded to a platform for electronic verification based on the passport holders unique and unforgeable biometric features. These state-of-the-art documents are known as electronic passports (e-passports) or electronic Machine-Read able Travel Documents (e-MRTDs). The electronic HIGHSEC passport can incorporate biometric content such as facial image and fingerprint data. The information is stored on a chip integrated in the passport cover or data page and is examined using proximity readers during border checks. Using the latest microprocessor technology and internationally specified measures for data protection and access, G&Ds electronic HIGHSEC passports represent the highest security level currently achievable.

Document security begins with the paper


Security paper from Papierfabrik Louisen thal, a wholly owned subsidiary of G&D, is manufactured under the tightest security measures. Thanks to Louisenthals sophisticated production methods and integrated security features, the paper it produces differs from every other paper on the market. The substrate consists of both cotton and cellulose, with no optical brighteners. The paper used for the HIGHSEC passport contains watermarks incorporated during production using a cylinder mold. Mold-made watermarks present an insurmountable obstacle to methods of coun terfeiting that rely on scanners and color copiers. Unlike the two-dimensional watermarks produced on Fourdrinier machines, mold-made watermarks are characterized by finely modulated transitions that create a plastic, three-dimensional effect. These watermarks have proven themselves virtually indispens able for effective document authentication. For that reason, their use has been recommended by Interpol. Security threads are either fully or partially embedded (windowed) in the paper during the web formation process. Since the embedded sections of the thread are only visible in transmitted light, this feature offers excellent anti-copying protection. The country code thread is an embedded thread offering a wide range of design options. For example, it can include the countrys name and national flag. This thread can also be made to exhibit rainbow fluorescence under UV light or be printed with macro- or microlettering. Windowed threads with metallic or optically variable surfaces are also available. JetFix: inkjet paper for the most demanding security requirements
To improve personalized data security and printing quality, Louisenthal has developed a special high-security paper: JetFix. JetFix is ideal for personalization using inkjet printers. The inks penetrate the paper without bleeding or smudging, so the pigments become firmly embedded in the paper. Attempts to manipulate data auto matically damage the paper. JetFix is also suitable for conventional printing processes, where it helps produce clean, sharp security features. Whats more: JetFix is compatible with every common security laminate, with which it forms an excellent bond.

Counterfeiters focus on the data page. So we do, too.


The primary target of attempts to forge or alter a travel document is the data page. The HIGHSEC passports data page is therefore created and personalized using an integrated security concept, incorporating features for each level of secure authentication. The final document can be authenticated both with and without simple testing devices. Level-one features, easily verified without technical aids, include security threads, water marks, and holographic structures in the security laminate. Second-level authenti cation calls for simple devices such as a magnifying glass or ultraviolet (UV) lamp. This category includes two-color guilloche structures in perfect register, microlettering in the offset printing zones, fluorescent fibers in the security paper, or invisible UV printing. Visual personalization and protection of paper-based data pages
Inkjet printing with visible and UV inks Ink penetrates and permanently adheres to the paper, giving printed data the highest possible security Customized color ghost images, merged with text Personal data printed with special UV-reactive inks on the empty page adjacent to the data page. Depend ing on the UV wavelength, contents of the entire data page are visible in either a monochromatic or full-color representation (INFACIO feature) Application of extremely thin security overlay films that are impossible to remove, further protecting personalized data

Conclusive authentication at the highest level requires detection of forensic and machine-readable features and can only be carried out in specially equipped facilities. The PECSEC data page: maximum security and convenience for electronic passports There is a worldwide trend towards passports with data pages made of laser-engrav able plastic. In the case of electronic passports, a contactless chip is embedded in the data page, storing biometric information about the passport holder. To produce pages that are not only attractive, but also very light and strong, G&D has developed a unique material called PECSEC. This laminate of coextruded PC (polycarbonate) and PETG (polyethylene terephthalate) composite films

allows virtually limitless material combinations. The result is a laser-engravable, flexible page of unrivalled durability that can be bound neatly and permanently in passport booklets thanks to a highly elastic exceeds hinge joint. PECSEC the ISO 10373 standards for identity documents. PECSEC can of course be equipped with numerous security features known from traditional security printing: guilloches, rainbow and microprinting, optically variable inks (OVI), and inks containing ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) pigments. Furthermore, it allows application of special security features in the PECSEC data page itself or by laser engraving during personalization, such as tactile surface structures, embedded Optically Variable Devices (OVD) and Multiple Laser Images (MLI).

In e-passports, the c ontactless microprocessor module and the antenna are hermetically integrated into the PECSEC data page. This ensures maximum protection of the microprocessor and the antenna.

Inner pages: clear-cut design and complex security features Giesecke & Devrient offers a comprehensive, high-end design for the HIGHSEC pass port that only specialized security printers can execute. Our concept can be configured to meet specific customer requirements for individual products and implemented effectively on the inner pages. Strict security demands must also be met. These aims are achieved by means of a clear, coherent design that includes a wide range of tried and trusted security features.

HIGHSEC passport security components


Two-color guilloche printing in perfect register Page numbers integrated into the background printing to prevent substitution of indivi d ual pages Laser-generated, conical per fora tion of inner pages Fluorescent printing, invisible in daylight, as an added level-two protective feature, verifi able with the aid of a standard UV lamp vis Special design elements in in ible fluorescent offset printing, offering a simple method of determining whether pages have been removed Binding thread, available in types that are multicolored in daylight and/or shine in different colors under UV light

Properties and advantages of laser personalization on PECSEC data pages


Some of the inner foils of the PECSEC material contain special pigments to absorb laser energy Personalized data are not printed on the surface of the data page, but laser-engraved into the data page material By modulating the lasers inten sity, information can be stored in black and white as well as in gray tones Particular data may be made tactile an additional security element The engraved data are permanently visible and will not fade Laser engraving of PECSEC allows special security features like MLI and FUSE-ID Laser engraving achieves utmost data and document security

Also state-of-the-art security: the HIGHSEC Visa Label (see page 10)

Giesecke & Devrient security features: for perfect document protection

Chemical sensitizing The paper contains an invisible colorant. Any attempt to remove or alter data using bleaching agents or solvents activates the colorant and is thus immediately obvious.

Country code security thread This thread is incorporated vertically into the security paper and is readable on both sides of the page. The thread shows rainbow effects under both white and UV light (fluorescence).

Embossed surface structures Tactile security features prevent falsified information from being pasted over plastic data pages. The feature can be combined with microlettering just 100 m in size.

Fibers A wide variety of fibers monochrome or multicolored, visibly or invisibly fluorescent can be added to the security paper. In particular, fibers that are invisible in normal light but fluorescent under UV light have performed well in the field.

FIT (Fine Intaglio Technology) The first-ever intaglio printing method that can produce ultra-fine lines. This high-resolution tech nology enables the creation of innovative security features that are unparalleled in terms of design and quality.

FIT latent image Fine intaglio printing with a latent image, providing an excellent anti-copying and anti-scanning feature to enhance passport security.

FUSE-ID FUSE-ID consists of laser engraving in combination with printed optically variable ink patches. The initial blue of these patches changes to a shade of silver where laser light is applied. FUSE-ID prevents subsequent alteration of information through directly opposed laser-engraving in two different areas.

Highlight watermark This consists of a very bright, conspic uous watermark, strategically integrated into a three-dimensional multitone watermark. The effect cannot be reproduced by counterfeiters using conventional methods.

INFACIO INFACIO is a copy of the data page using UV-reactive inks. Depending on the UV wavelength, the data become visible in mono chromatic blue or in color shadings from blue to red and green. Seen in the UV-A spectrum:

Laser-perforated numbering of all inner pages Unlike mechanical perforation, laser perforation forms holes that decrease in di ameter with each ascending page number. This makes it possible to determine the precise location of each page inside the passport.

Microlettering This feature consists of minute characters printed in positive or reverse type. Common reproduction devices are unable to dupli cate such minute details.

Modulated microlettering Combines three-color intaglio printing with en hanced microtext attributes. The extremely fine line-width of the modulated letters and the subtle color shades provide high-level protection against counterfeiting.

Seen in the UV-C spectrum:

Pagination This example, taken from a Haitian passport, shows the page number incorporated into the background printing an effective method of preventing page-number alteration. Additionally, the position of the numbers can be varied from page to page.

Rainbow fluorescent printing Taken from the passport of the Republic of Turkmenistan, this example shows fluorescent background printing. The rainbow fluorescence can be seen under UV light.

See-through register See-through register with watermark on visa pages.

Multicolored binding thread This thread exhibits additional fluorescence in blue, green, and red when viewed under UV light.

Multiple Laser Image (MLI) One of the most effective anti-counterfeiting measures for laser-engraved data pages is the multiple laser image. Its distinguishing feature is pictorial information that differs with the viewing angle, even in poor lighting.

Optically Variable Device (OVD) An OVD feature can be metallic or transparent. This feature changes its color, its image, or both when viewed from different angles. More and more OVDs include two- or three-dimensional images or kinematic effects. The design is always unique for each customer.

PEAK/PEAKink (Printed and Embossed Anticopy Key) This feature combines offset and intaglio printing. Fine lines produced using a special engraving method are embossed to create a three-dimensional, optically variable image. The color and information seen change with the viewing angle and direction of light.

STAR (Screen Trap Anticopy Refinement) The geometric resolution of this feature is beyond the capabilities of copiers and cannot be easily reproduced.

STEP (Shimmery Twin Effect Protection) STEP is a semi-transparent optically variable ink that changes color depending on the viewing angle. The semi-transparency allows layout elements that are almost hidden.

Two-color background printing in perfect register This feature can only be produced by the special equipment used in banknote and passport printing. A different design can be used on every page.

HIGHSEC Visa Label


More than ever before, persons seeking illegal entry into countries are turning their attention to the visas found inside passports. A visa simply stamped or pasted into the passport no longer offers adequate security. The same goes for the biographical information it carries. The visa itself needs to be highly resistant to fraud and impossible to remove, while the data on it must be protected against tampering. Unambiguous identification of the true visa holder (i.e. by incorporating a photograph) has become extremely important. Countries are therefore turning to high-security visa labels with a machine-readable zone (MRZ) and photo. G&D has responded to market requirements by introducing the new HIGHSEC Visa Label. HIGHSEC Visa Label at a glance
Security background printing including two-color guilloche structures Printing in perfect register with rainbow effect and the STAR anti-copying feature Microlettering printed using Fine Intaglio Technology (FIT) combined with invisible fluorescent printing on the counterfoil Other printed security features, such as STEP, PEAK, and PEAKink KINEGRAM patch featuring a new design with finely detailed demetallized areas or intaglio printing Special adhesive providing a permanent bond between paper and label

STARCOS 3.3 Passport Edition: the fast and secure operating system for electronic travel documents
G&Ds HIGHSEC e-passports incorporate a contactless microprocessor certified according to Common Criteria EAL5+. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in smart card technologies, G&D has introduced a new member of the STARCOS family of operating systems: the STARCOS 3.3 Passport Edition for electronic travel documents. This system meets all the standards and requirements of ISO/IEC, the ICAO, and the European Union. It is fully compliant with ISO/IEC 14443 and ICAO 9303, Part 1. The STARCOS 3.3 Passport Edition has also been certified according to Common Criteria EAL4+. Some of the STARCOS 3.3 Passport Editions outstanding features are its high-speed data transfer rates, superior flexibility, and strong data security. Its excellent perfor mance and interoperability have been proven in n umerous international trials.

Giesecke & Devrients passports and security features are tailored to your unique needs and authentication preferences. G&D is a c apable partner with extensive experience and wide-ranging expertise in all a spects of high-security travel documents. Our know-how is always state-of-the-art thanks to our in-house innovations and production. Would you like to find out more about our HIGHSEC passport features? Simply contact us. We would be pleased to discuss your country-specific requirements with you. 10

Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Prinzregentenstrasse 159 P.O. Box 80 07 29 81607 Munich GERMANY Phone: +49 (0) 89 4119-18 37 Fax: +49 (0) 89 4119-27 78 government@gi-de.com www.gi-de.com
Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, 2009 KINEGRAM is a registered trademark of OVD Kinegram AG. Jetfix is a registered trademark of Papierfabrik Louisenthal. FIT, FUSE-ID, HIGHSEC, INFACIO, PEAK, PEAKink, PECSEC, STARCOS, STEP are registered trademarks of Giesecke & Devrient GmbH. All technical data subject to change.

RDN 10/09 E 1000 Art.-Nr. 2886174

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