In an article recently published in Securing Industry 1, Dr Mark Deakes, chair of the new International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA), sets out how optical technologies are spearheading efforts to protect identity documents.
As the global threat of counterfeit ID documents continues to rise, the role of optical technologies in securing physical credentials has never been more vital.
These technologies – encompassing holography, diffractive optical elements, and emerging hybrid solutions – are central to efforts to combat fraud, safeguard borders, and protect citizens’ identities.
Dr Deakes highlights that optical features are not only highly effective in deterring counterfeiting but also possess significant advantages in terms of public recognition and forensic verifiability. Their integration into passports, ID cards, and driving licences provides both overt and covert layers of security, making unauthorised reproduction difficult.
According to IOTA, optical technologies deliver a combination of visual impact and technical complexity. The layered security they provide addresses a spectrum of threats – from simple forgeries aimed at deceiving frontline personnel to sophisticated attacks involving advanced imaging and printing equipment.
Crucially, these technologies are not static. Innovation continues to push the boundaries of what is possible.
Developments in nano-optics, 3D image projection, and dynamic visual effects are ushering in a new generation of ID protection features that are both visually compelling and technically robust.
In an increasingly digital world, physical document security remains essential. Dr Deakes suggests that optical technologies are uniquely placed to bridge the gap between analogue and digital identity.
Their ability to link physical credentials to digital databases, through optical machine-readability or embedded digital keys, strengthens document integrity while supporting broader digital transformation efforts.
Dr Deakes will be exploring this topic further in his seminar ‘What’s Next for Optically Variable Features’ at the Optical & Digital Document Security Conference™ 2025, 15-17 September, Warsaw, Poland.
1 - SecuringIndustry.com – Optical technologies: The image of the war on ID counterfeiting
