LaserCard technology makes information storage safe

Australia's way of life has been relatively free and easy, until recently.
Our world has changed significantly in just a few short years.
The Australian Government is looking at creative and secure new ways to protect its citizens from harm and is again considering a national identity card. The reality is that current smart card technology cannot offer the assurance that information stored on the card will be safe, and people are justifiably nervous. However, the new generation LaserCard® Optical Memory Card - currently used in the United States, Canada, Italy and the Middle East - can provide the necessary protection and peace of mind. The difference between smart cards and the LaserCard® Optical Memory Card are staggering.
The smart card is made from stamped plastic just like a credit card. The 64kbit chip is unreliable, is susceptible to damage and the information stored on it is easily accessed. The LaserCard® Optical Memory Card is constructed from layers of polycarbonate which means it can protect itself and the information held on it by interleaving various security features. The LaserCard® Optical Memory Card can hold up to 24Megabits of information, which is a quantum leap in storage capacity.
The important difference is that the main database is the card and you carry it with you.


Who is using LaserCard®?

The LaserCard® Optical Memory Card has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over all other identification solutions.
The Canadian Government is using the LaserCard Optical Memory Card as a multiple entry self boarder processing visa for entry into the US and has recently become Canada's Permanent Resident card. In Italy the LaserCard® Optical Memory Card is used as a medical health card, the Italian ID card and will soon include electronic visa and passport features.
The LaserCard® Optical Memory Card has recently been selected for a national ID program in the Middle East.


How does the LaserCard® Optical Memory Card work?

The LaserCard® Optical Memory Card is made from layers of polycarbonate. Information such as a photograph, fingerprint and signature can be written to the optical media digitally and as an embedded hologram. Laser-written information appears on the optical media as an image and as a digital file. The same information is thermally printed on the reverse side of the pure polycarbonate card. Digital data, holograms and watermarks are embedded in the optical media while the card is being made and cannot be altered without destroying or invalidating the card. The card holder is then matched to the digitally stored biometric information on the card. In addition, a complete digital file of the personalised hologram can be interleaved within the hologram image, providing another way to positively verify the card and cardholder.
There is no need for a massive database to match the biometric information.
The LaserCard® Optical Memory Card is fast becoming the card of choice for an increasing number of foreign governments as they seek to provide their citizens with the safest and most secure card system in the world.

Keltec Industries, which represents LaserCard® Optical Memory Card in Australia, seeks to work with the Australian Government to provide Australians with a simple security solution that will mean peace of mind for everyone.


Media contact:
Bruce Kelton - Keltec Industries; LaserCard® VAR (02) 6255 0092 or 0428101991


(26.09.2005)

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