Already in use on millions of issued secure IDs, this newest version of the IDMarc digital watermarking-based security feature now provides specific support for securing chip-based ePassports. IDMarc is a covert digital security feature that can be used to fuse multiple elements of identity documents into a coherent, secure ID structure. Millions of digitally watermarked identity documents are in circulation today. On passports, the feature links together the printed text, artwork, and portrait with the chip-resident digital data, including the facial image stored on the chip. This layered, interlocking approach enhances the overall integrity and security of travel documents. In a global move to enhance travel security and border control, ICAO has established a new standard that adds a contactless chip to travel documents and provides support for a common biometric. As a result, the United States, European Union countries, and many other issuers around the globe are moving to adopt these chip-based passports. The IDMarc security feature provides an important layer of counterfeit resistance for ICAO-compliant travel documents by offering enhanced protection to both the document and chip against photo substitution, data alteration and attacks on the chip. Digimarc provides software development kits to enable licensed vendors and systems integrators to securely incorporate the capability to decode the IDMarc feature in their reader device products. The 3M Authentication System with its 3M(TM) Full Page Reader from 3M Company as well as the DSVII-PA portable travel document reader from Datastrip Inc. are currently in the final phase of certification as IDMarc-compatible readers for authenticating travel documents and will be available in Q2 2005.
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