Holographic features have long played a vital role in optical document security—grabbing attention, signaling authenticity, and giving visual verification. But as design trends shift and digital solutions take a larger role, it’s time to reassess their impact.

Biometric authentication traditionally relies on single identifiers like fingerprints or facial scans. However, these can be spoofed or altered by ageing, injury, or illness.

The PQC4eMRTD (Post-Quantum Cryptography for electronic Machine- Readable Travel Documents) project is a European initiative launched on 28 February, aimed at enhancing the security of electronic machine-readable travel documents (eMRTDs), such as electronic passports, against emerging threats posed by advances in quantum computing.

Spectra Systems, a US provider of secure transaction technologies, has announced that its security printing division, Cartor Security Printers, has secured a five-year contract to produce postage stamps for an undisclosed postal supplier within the European Union.

In its final days, the Biden administration prepared an executive order that emphasises the use of digital identity technologies, such as mobile driving licences (mDLs), to enhance identity verification for public benefit programmes.

In a significant digital innovation, Kenya has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, overhauling its visa application process.

A sharp rise in AI-assisted identity fraud is reshaping cybersecurity on a global scale, as highlighted in the 2025 Identity Fraud Report released by the Entrust Cybersecurity Institute.

Lithuania’s Identity Documents Personalisation Centre (IDPC) has announced the termination of its passport production contract with Garsų Pasaulis, a prominent Lithuanian printing and security solutions company.

The German government has announced plans to develop a state digital wallet for smartphones, which will allow citizens to identify themselves digitally across the European Union.

NEC is set to launch a new biometric authentication system this month, using advanced facial recognition technology to authenticate large groups of people simultaneously, even while they are in motion.