Holograms important part of multi-layered security
05 January, 2015
category: Corporate, Financial, Government
As counterfeiters are finding more ways to turn out fake goods, providers are turning to holograms as part of a multi-layered approach to secure goods and documents.
The International Hologram Manufacturers Association is predicting further growth to help secure these goods and documents. While security applications remain the most valuable for the industry, 2015 is also expected to see substantial growth in the production of holographic optical elements (HOEs) for use in automotive displays and lighting, as well as for general lighting control.
The key to success will be the ability of holograms to become an important part of flexible, multi-functional security solutions. These will provide brand owners with an effective tool to battle the counterfeiters and criminal gangs producing hundreds of millions of fake products each year.
The increased collaboration between holograms and other security and traceability technologies is likely to lead to industry consolidation. “We may see larger companies offering authentication solutions acquiring niche security and security printing hologram producers to offer customers single source authentication solutions,” says Ian Lancaster, the general secretary of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association.
The use of well-designed and properly deployed authentication solutions enables examiners to verify the authenticity of a legitimate product and documents, differentiating it from the counterfeits. Even those that carry a “fake” authentication feature can be distinguished from the genuine item if that item carries a carefully thought-out authentication solution.