When it comes to the security features used for passports and ID cards (including national IDs and driver licenses), segregation would have been a wise strategy.
The industry understands this notion for banknotes – many features we see on banknotes are just not used elsewhere.
The gravest error in this area has been in the strategies used with polycarbonate for US driver licenses. Counterfeits of these documents are primarily used to access age restricted products and venues. This requires that the person have the current version of the license – not a prior version.
The market pressure for “fakes” of the newest licenses has pushed the counterfeiters to very quickly duplicate advanced security features used in new documents – including laser personalization (+ variable laser images), complex windows and tactile plate features.
The inadequate response to counterfeiting of US driver licenses has resulted in the expedited compromise of features that are also used in many passports and identity cards from around the world.
Many players can act to remediate this situation:
- US Authorities can coordinate across states to suspend the driving privileges of those who present counterfeit licenses
- Issuers and vendors can aggressively work to add digitally signed printed elements to licenses and ID cards
- We can follow the lead from banknotes and use different design/security feature strategies for US driver licenses
The inevitable question is, of course, who will pay to shift gears in this area? Vulnerability of travel and identity documents is a global security issue. If we don’t pay soon, we will all pay eventually.