how to make better, more secure id cards · plastic id cards. the cards may range from ... smart...

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BarcodesInc

www.barcodesinc.com

1.800.351.9962

How to Make Better, More Secure ID Cards

Secure ID Cards Security is a top priority in every organization.

university, or large enterprise,

essential in all organizations.

most practical solution – but what makes an ID secure?

Simple vs. Secure If you open your wallet or purse right now

plastic ID cards. The cards may range from

grocery store with nothing more than a basic image and barcode

government issued driver’s license

protective holograms!

In both of these cases, the ID is meant to accurately identify a

source is relatively easy to replicate while the other contains many layers of security

which reduces counterfeit and forgery attempts.

stripes, or smart card chips

likelihood of misuse by unauthorized

ID is legitimate and the person using it is

• 5 security features you can use today to improve the securitycards

• How the various security features can be used to expand the ways you use ID cards

What You'll Learn in this eBook

www.barcodesinc.com | 1.800.351.9962

Security is a top priority in every organization. Whether you’re a small business, school

, or large enterprise, protecting your assets and keeping individuals safe is

Issuing ID cards to employees, students, and

but what makes an ID secure?

If you open your wallet or purse right now, you will most likely find several examples of

The cards may range from a simple printed card from your

grocery store with nothing more than a basic image and barcode, to an official

driver’s license with full color photos, encoded inform

the ID is meant to accurately identify a person. However, one

source is relatively easy to replicate while the other contains many layers of security

which reduces counterfeit and forgery attempts. Adding features like photos, magnetic

stripes, or smart card chips to an ID helps to improve its security and decrease

likelihood of misuse by unauthorized individuals. These additional layers

person using it is the person who should be using it

5 security features you can use today to security and reliability of your ID

How the various security features can be used to expand the ways you use ID cards

What You'll Learn in this eBook

1.800.351.9962 2

Whether you’re a small business, school,

protecting your assets and keeping individuals safe is

Issuing ID cards to employees, students, and clients is the

most likely find several examples of

a simple printed card from your local

to an official

encoded information and

However, one

source is relatively easy to replicate while the other contains many layers of security,

photos, magnetic

and decreases the

additional layers ensure that the

should be using it.

of your ID

How the various security features can be used

Getting More Out of Your ID CardsAside from simple identification, a

of access and tracking applications:

• Building Access Control

• Time and Attendance Tracking

• Check-In/Check-Out Processes

• Membership Management

• Visitor/Lobby tracking

A few simple modifications to your cards and

and enable you to get more from your ID cards!

FEATURE: PhotosAdding a picture to an existing ID

provides an easy avenue to add an extra

layer of security. A photo prov

means to confirm a person’s identify and

authenticate the user. With a photo

prevalent on a card, forgery and fraud

activities are greatly reduced.

look can identify a potential issue and

indicate misuse of the card.

Photos are the most basic and common security feature you

They certainly help reduce the possibility of fraudulent card use

not full proof. With the right equipment

the text information.


Getting More Out of Your ID Cards identification, a secure and reliable ID can also be used

of access and tracking applications:

Building Access Control

Time and Attendance Tracking

Out Processes (files, books, equipment, etc…)

Membership Management

isitor/Lobby tracking

modifications to your cards and printer will significantly improve security

enable you to get more from your ID cards!

Photos

Adding a picture to an existing ID card

an easy avenue to add an extra

photo provides a quick

a person’s identify and

. With a photo

forgery and fraud

greatly reduced. One quick

can identify a potential issue and

Photos are the most basic and common security feature you can put on an ID

help reduce the possibility of fraudulent card use, but are unfortunately

the right equipment, it’s not difficult to create a photo ID

1.800.351.9962 3

can also be used for a variety

printer will significantly improve security

put on an ID card.

but are unfortunately

s not difficult to create a photo ID and replicate

On their own, photos don’t provide a completely secure ID. However, when they are

used together with some of the other security options

difficult to forge or manipulate. The more security options you

is to replicate.

FEATURE: BarcodesBarcodes have been a standard tool

the identification industry for the past

thirty years. In a limited amount of space

they can encode a string of text that is

only readable by a scanner. With over two

dozen types of barcode symbologies,

which vary based on need of the user,

there is a barcode that will fit your needs

In the context of an ID, barcodes are an easy way to have an account or user ID

number printed on the card. The advantage of the barcode is that you can quickly scan

the code to identify the user. With the scanner you

accuracy, and speed up the verificat

From a security standpoint, a barcode is another option that makes forging cards

difficult. You may be able to make a card that looks the same but if you don’t know what

is supposed to be in the barcode

scan of the barcode will alert you of

contained on the card.

Like photos, barcodes require very little change to your printing process. Printing a

barcode is the same as printing te

Barcodes are a simple, yet effective way to add another level of security to your ID

cards.



used together with some of the other security options, you’ll have a combi

difficult to forge or manipulate. The more security options you add to the ID, the harder it

Barcodes

Barcodes have been a standard tool in

for the past

limited amount of space,

they can encode a string of text that is

only readable by a scanner. With over two

of barcode symbologies,

which vary based on need of the user,

there is a barcode that will fit your needs.

codes are an easy way to have an account or user ID


the code to identify the user. With the scanner you avoid input errors, increase

speed up the verification/check-in process.

From a security standpoint, a barcode is another option that makes forging cards


is supposed to be in the barcode, it will not scan properly. With a forged ID, a simple

alert you of conflicting information with the information


barcode is the same as printing text. They are both just types of fonts!

yet effective way to add another level of security to your ID

1.800.351.9962 4


you’ll have a combination that is

ID, the harder it

codes are an easy way to have an account or user ID


increase

From a security standpoint, a barcode is another option that makes forging cards more


ID, a simple

the information


yet effective way to add another level of security to your ID

FEATURE: HologramsWe've all seen holograms on a variety of

cards, but your driver’s license is the

most common one you use on an

everyday basis. Holograms are a great

way to make a very unique ID that is

easy to visually validate and difficult to

forge. With a quick glance, you can tell

right away if an ID is legitimate or a fake.

Embedding a hologram onto an ID card is

holograms are not actually printed onto the card.

clear overlay laminate that already

printed, the laminate is applied to

your printed information.

Since the hologram is already in the laminate you use, all you have to do is choose one

that fits your application. Hologram laminates are available with a host of text and imag

options and can even be custom made for greater uniqueness.

Like photos and barcodes, holograms are an easy feature to add to your current cards

to make them even more difficult to copy.


FEATURE: Holograms

e all seen holograms on a variety of

but your driver’s license is the

use on an

Holograms are a great

way to make a very unique ID that is

validate and difficult to

you can tell

right away if an ID is legitimate or a fake.

Embedding a hologram onto an ID card is part of the printing process. However,

holograms are not actually printed onto the card. The hologram is contained on

clear overlay laminate that already contains the fixed hologram pattern. Once the card is

printed, the laminate is applied to the card which adds the hologram without obstructing


that fits your application. Hologram laminates are available with a host of text and imag

options and can even be custom made for greater uniqueness.


to make them even more difficult to copy.

1.800.351.9962 5

. However, the

The hologram is contained on special

fixed hologram pattern. Once the card is

the card which adds the hologram without obstructing


that fits your application. Hologram laminates are available with a host of text and image


FEATURE: Magnetic Stripes

If you’ve ever looked at the back of

credit or debit card, you’ve seen a

magnetic stripe (magstripe). The thin

black bar on your card contains

information about your account and

identity. Similar to audio tape, a magstripe

modifies the magnetism of the band to

encode information. Normally,

information is a unique user ID for quick

identification with a simple swipe.

Magstripes were created specifically

since they were first designed in the

to store information that can only be read by a dedicated reader. Forging a magstripe

card is even more difficult though since your printer has to have a magnetic encoder as

opposed to just basic printing. Pl

ID cards for access control and attendance tracking.

of security, there are a few limi

Magstripes can be erased or damaged when they come in contact with magnets.

Luckily there are 2 types of magstripe cards you can use

low coercivity (Lo-Co). A Hi-

stripe has a strong magnetic hold and will not erase easily. Lo

for applications where you would re

multiple times.

Magstripes may be one of the oldest security options but continue to be used for

reliability and simplicity.


Magnetic Stripes

If you’ve ever looked at the back of a

credit or debit card, you’ve seen a

magnetic stripe (magstripe). The thin

black bar on your card contains

information about your account and

identity. Similar to audio tape, a magstripe

modifies the magnetism of the band to

encode information. Normally, this

information is a unique user ID for quick

identification with a simple swipe.

specifically as a security measure and have been on ID cards

since they were first designed in the 1960’s. Like barcodes, magstripes are a great way



opposed to just basic printing. Plus, with a scannable magstripe you can easily use your

ID cards for access control and attendance tracking. Although magstripes add a layer

here are a few limitations to the technology.


Luckily there are 2 types of magstripe cards you can use – high coercivity

-Co card is meant for permanent applications since the

a strong magnetic hold and will not erase easily. Lo-Co cards are only suited

for applications where you would re-use the card to encode new information on it

Magstripes may be one of the oldest security options but continue to be used for

1.800.351.9962 6

as a security measure and have been on ID cards

60’s. Like barcodes, magstripes are a great way



us, with a scannable magstripe you can easily use your

Although magstripes add a layer


high coercivity (Hi-Co) and

Co card is meant for permanent applications since the

Co cards are only suited

use the card to encode new information on it

Magstripes may be one of the oldest security options but continue to be used for their

FEATURE: Smart Cards

Smart cards are the current pinnacle of

card security. Similar to barcodes and

magnetic stripes, they provide

means to store data onto the card itself.

The big advantage of the smart card is

that it can store multiple strings of

information including encrypted

certificates. A smartcard provides multiple

levels of verification on the card itself for

the greatest security possible.

What makes a card smart?

Each card has a small microprocessor

identification, authentication, and data storage. All this information can be encrypted so

that without the appropriate reader and software

With other technologies that store information on the card itself

protect the data from ever being read like you do with smart cards.

Smart cards come in two main types:

card, you have to actually touch/insert the card into the reader to scan the information

on the card. Contactless cards are powered and read wirelessly by just presenting the

card in front of a reader. The read distance

help speed up the scanning process and

applications.

Whether you need to secure access to your building, PC, or even online accounts, the

added verification and encryption capabilities of a

who are supposed to access your information or


Smart Cards

Smart cards are the current pinnacle of

card security. Similar to barcodes and

provide another

means to store data onto the card itself.

The big advantage of the smart card is

that it can store multiple strings of

information including encrypted

certificates. A smartcard provides multiple

levels of verification on the card itself for

the greatest security possible.

Each card has a small microprocessor and memory on it which can provide


that without the appropriate reader and software, you cannot actually read the card.

With other technologies that store information on the card itself, you have no way to

protect the data from ever being read like you do with smart cards.

Smart cards come in two main types: contact and contactless. With a contact based

you have to actually touch/insert the card into the reader to scan the information


card in front of a reader. The read distance may be as limited as an inch,

help speed up the scanning process and is most commonly used in security access


added verification and encryption capabilities of a smart card ensures that only those

who are supposed to access your information or property actually can do so

1.800.351.9962 7

and memory on it which can provide


you cannot actually read the card.

you have no way to

a contact based

you have to actually touch/insert the card into the reader to scan the information


, but this does

most commonly used in security access


smart card ensures that only those

do so.

Making Secure ID CardsWhile the security options covered here

reality they are quite easy to implement

software, or printer configuration

With any of these features, your printer has to support the technology you want to use.

Magstripes and smart cards require a

technologies and blank cards

printers already have these encoders or can be upgraded to have them.

The options that are part of the printing process

update in your design software and a full color ribbon. These are the simplest options to

add since even the base configuration of a printer

security.

Holograms are the one special case since your printer will h

As long as your printer has a laminate option available

added to your printing operation.

change any of your card designs to add them!

Better, More Secure ID CardsThe very reason an organization uses ID cards in the first place is to have an accurate

way to identify someone. By designing cards with the right set of security options

can be sure that the ID is effective

To get the most out of your ID cards

Combining several of the covered security options is your best route for the most secure

IDs possible. With a few simple changes to your current printing process

making better, more secure cards in no time.


Making Secure ID Cards

covered here may seem challenging to get started with,

implement. A couple of changes in your media, design

software, or printer configuration are all it takes!

your printer has to support the technology you want to use.

Magstripes and smart cards require a printer that has an encoder for these

blank cards that contain a magstripe or smart chip. Luckily, many

printers already have these encoders or can be upgraded to have them.

The options that are part of the printing process – photos and barcodes –


add since even the base configuration of a printer has the ability to print these layers of

Holograms are the one special case since your printer will have to support

As long as your printer has a laminate option available, a hologram laminate can be

added to your printing operation. The beauty of holograms is that you don’t have to

change any of your card designs to add them!

Secure ID Cards organization uses ID cards in the first place is to have an accurate

way to identify someone. By designing cards with the right set of security options

effective and reliable.

most out of your ID cards, you’ll need to start with cards you can count on.


IDs possible. With a few simple changes to your current printing process

ng better, more secure cards in no time.

1.800.351.9962 8

challenging to get started with, in

changes in your media, design

your printer has to support the technology you want to use.

for these

stripe or smart chip. Luckily, many

– just require an


has the ability to print these layers of

ave to support laminating.

a hologram laminate can be

The beauty of holograms is that you don’t have to

organization uses ID cards in the first place is to have an accurate

way to identify someone. By designing cards with the right set of security options, you

you’ll need to start with cards you can count on.


IDs possible. With a few simple changes to your current printing process, you can be

BarcodesInc is North America's leading provider of

including barcoding, printing, mobile computing, and RFID

thousands of solutions across industries and across businesses large and small.

At BarcodesInc, data tracking is our expertise and customer service is our passion.

Visit us at www.barcodesinc.com

About BarcodesInc


arcodesInc is North America's leading provider of data tracking products and solutions,

printing, mobile computing, and RFID. Since 1994, we’ve delivered



www.barcodesinc.com or speak to a product expert at 1.800.351.9962

1.800.351.9962 9

data tracking products and solutions,

we’ve delivered



or speak to a product expert at 1.800.351.9962

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