Security Features You Shouldn't Ignore on Physical IDs

The Anatomy of a Secure ID

While design is crucial, the embedded technology within a physical card is what truly secures your premises. Let's break down the most essential security features.

Smart Chips (RFID / NFC)

Contactless smart cards communicate via radio waves. Unlike older magnetic stripes, smart chips can be encrypted. MIFARE DESFire or iCLASS SE technologies offer high levels of encryption, making cloning extremely difficult.

Holographic Overlays

A custom holographic overlay is a cheap but highly effective deterrent against physical counterfeiting. Because holograms are visually complex and shift in the light, they cannot be replicated using a standard ID card printer.

Micro-Text and UV Printing

Adding text so small it requires a magnifying glass to read, or text that only appears under a UV blacklight, provides security personnel with a secondary verification method that is nearly impossible for amateurs to fake.