Platforms
Securing the Integrity and Identity of Products
Part of the OpSec physical technology suite
Product authentication remains at the forefront of the battle against counterfeit. But as traceability has become more important, product integrity and identity have become entwined, with security and functional components spanning physical and digital.
The OpSec platform offers a broad portfolio of authentication and product identity options for both brand owners and high-security applications. As a true solution integrator, we adapt optical security elements, digital coding, forensic markers, and functional components such as NFC or RFID to meet the needs of each customer and project. We can also apply these elements in a range of ways, from security labels to hot stamped foils.
Few categories are immune from counterfeiting – luxury brands alone lose around $30 billion to counterfeits and 10% of all premium beauty products are fake.
Resolving multiple security and functional objectives into a single label or other component takes design skill and technical judgment. Of course, cost is an important factor in influencing options, but brand aesthetics, the characteristics of materials, and vulnerability to counterfeit, are all equally critical. Just as important are the practical considerations around the integration of components into production lines and the security of supply.
OpSec brings a broad portfolio of components plus expert design integration.
Tackling counterfeit threats requires a multi-layered approach. The OpSec platform brings together design and security, from striking optical effects for authentication, to tamper evident labels, to digitally secured serialized codes. These go beyond anti-counterfeiting to enhance brands. By combining security, function, and aesthetic appeal, a broader range of elements can also be incorporated to strengthen product integrity and identity.
Overt Security: The use of a strong primary security feature delivers instant user recognition and authentication. But the increased availability and affordability of scan and print equipment demand ongoing innovation to stay ahead of counterfeiters. Our optical security features create attractive, eye-catching imagery and effects, which are very difficult to replicate or simulate by counterfeiters. They are also intuitive and simple for consumers and enforcement agents to identify and understand, making them practical for consumer and industrial goods.
Functional Components: Variable data, unique product identifiers, and secure printed codes can be combined with optical security features to augment security and functionality. The adoption of digital identities offers the potential to address multiple functions, such as product traceability and consumer engagement, while others are suited to professional enforcement users, such as customs, for added security and advanced authentication.
Application and Integration: Brands are increasingly searching for a solution that provides more than security, with design integration and sustainability high on the agenda. Multi-layered security that combines a selection of optical and print features across a tamper-evident label structure serves to strengthen counterfeit resistance and prevents label harvesting for reuse. Expert design and security integration also enhances brand identity.
“Working with OpSec has given me comfort and control – comfort in that I can easily identify potential infringing products quickly and control over the products my licensees are purchasing from OpSec, from swing tickets to holograms.”
Steven Romeo, Head of Retail and Kit, The Scottish FA
OpSec works closely with its technology partners to continuously evolve the platform and stay a step ahead of the counterfeiters. This has driven the development of new highly secure optical effects, such as color-switching surface relief and optical two-factor authentication, to add intuitive features and protect unique identifiers. With our presence in supply chain traceability and engagement marketing, we bring an appreciation of the wider role these features can play, as well as the practical experience of integrating unique identifiers into optical devices.
Advanced technologies work together to protect, personalize, and add function.
