SubscribeDocument fraud and counterfeiting activities have been proven ‘fundraisers’ for terrorist activities for many years.
Not only does the initial crime cause hardship and fear to the victims but, the ultimate threat to national security is only too evident. The actual financial cost to taxpayers is high but the effect on societies generally is immeasurable.
Confidence in the validity of security documents is brought into question and it can be very difficult for the document holder to verify the authenticity of a document ‘on the spot’.
Security documents and issuing systems are vulnerable:
- The validity of the secure information must be examined before the document is created The secure document must only be created in a controlled environment that is regularly audited.
- Equipment used to create documents must be protected against misuse.
- Personnel must be security cleared and monitored
- Secure document design must incorporate several levels of security – visual features that the holder can recognise alongside more sophisticated technologies that can if necessary be forensically examined.
- Authentication methods are critical as they must be reliable and accessible.
- The document issuer has a duty to explain the security features of each document to the document holder – how do you know what an authentic document should look and feel like?
- Secure documents should only be validated and issued as the last process.
- Secure documents in storage are vulnerable to theft, duplication and alteration.
Once issued, the document holder must check the details on the document. Report document errors or losses promptly to appropriate authorities.
SENTRY Document Validation
The whole process of issuing, protecting and validating a security document is critical. If the system for document generation and issuing is either corrupt or failing then it presents numerousmopportunities for criminal activity to go undetected.
Detection of a potential document fraud will only be possible if the issuing system is appropriate and under constant scrutiny. The document issuing authority must be self-examining as well as externally audited.
Whilst security document design is important, issuing system design is vital. Early detection of security breakdowns is paramount, investigation of document fraud essential. No issuing system or security document is perfect but at the very least potential weaknesses should be identified and understood.
Anti Counterfeiting Technology
Security Foiling Limited’s anti counterfeiting technology products are regularly used to assist in the prevention of fraud and counterfeiting. Typically our products are used as a ‘validation tool’ before the security document is issued (Point of Issue Security) to the document holder. The equipment is designed with a sophisticated control system to prevent misuse – a powerful tool in preventing internal corruption we call SENTRY.
To improve the security of your document issuing system contact Security Foiling Limited and find out how SENTRY can help you.
