Koenig & Bauer and Veracity Protocol are collaborating for the authentication of all and any printed products.
Veracity Protocol is a deep-tech company that develops secure and decentralized methods. This enables users to track the identity, authenticity and quality of physical objects. This is made possible by linking physical products with a digital identity. In reality, this sees a digital fingerprint created by scanned and using computer vision and neural networks. This works off the basis that every product – whether printed or not – has certain features on its surface. These are comparable to a human fingerprint, facial biometrics or an iris scan. Images of products can be used to generate descriptive models by now. This so-called feature extraction enables a special form of security, as it is based on the unchanging microstructure of the product. It also opens up various possibilities, such as tamper-proof brand protection, options for customer-product interaction, non-invasive methods for supply chain and item tracking, and/or the implementation of the digital product passport vision and new forensic authentication standards.
Koenig & Bauer’s experience in authentication includes the likes of ValiCash for banknote authentication. The ValiCash app is able to help authenticate a banknote and show whether it is counterfeit or genuine – depending on the phone model – in less than a second. The app runs a verification system mainly based on the structural analysis of Intaglio print and more generally on specific optical characteristics of high-security printing processes, like Intaglio, screen-printed features or holograms. The authentication does not require any specific inks or hidden features in the design, meaning banknotes already in circulation can also be authenticated.
‘We are now taking the next step,’ commented Julian Schubert, vice president of data, vision and authentication solutions at Koenig & Bauer, adding, ‘We are stepping up our efforts in the area of digital authentication offerings.’
Mr Schubert continued, ‘With Veracity Protocol, we have found a partner with whom we can quickly offer solutions for the authentication of all types of printed products without adding specific elements. Together, we are thus setting a new standard for ‘Secure at Print’. And the best part is that we are supporting our customers and their customers directly, as the existing design of a product does not need to be changed. It’s the simplest and, most importantly, the most sustainable solution.’
Dominique El Bez, chief commercial officer of Veracity Protocol, said, ‘Koenig & Bauer is the world’s leading supplier of high-tech printing presses and systems. Together, we want to realise the vision that every printed product can become the guardian of its own identity while meeting sustainability, security and transparency requirements.’
