Security

A new benchmark for document security
The primary purpose for the development of Guardian®; substrate for banknotes was to enhance security. The use of Guardian®; substrate provides effective counterfeit deterrence by:

making it difficult, time consuming and costly to counterfeit by increasing the range of steps required;
making it easier for the general public to recognise a counterfeit; and
providing a platform for new and innovative security features.

With counterfeiting such a serious and growing problem in many countries due to the proliferation of relatively cheap and easy to use reprographic devices, (such as colour photocopiers, computer scanners and printers), banknotes need several effective levels of security.

They must possess:

overt security features for the person in the street - these features must be difficult to simulate and be easily and quickly authenticated as genuine in the short time available during a normal transaction, ideally without the need for an additional device; and
covert security features - these features are protected and only detectable by issuers (or other authorities) with the aid of special devices, and are necessary for automatic cash handling machines and the authorities.

Securency International's Guardian®; polymer substrate ensures security is achieved through the interaction of the substrate, print and complex non-print technologies.

Australian Experience
Years of intensive research into substrates led the RBA to adopt polymer notes as a solution to banknote security with the issue of its first polymer note in 1988. The success of this note led to the change of all denominations from paper to polymer during the period 1992-1996. Thus, Australia now has over 14 years of practical experience in the use of polymer banknotes in circulation. The major benefits evident are a landmark reduction in counterfeiting (to significantly lower levels than in many other countries still using paper notes), and markedly increased functional lifetime and fitness for purpose.

New Zealand Experience
By the year 2000, New Zealand had introduced its full series of circulating polymer notes. New Zealand has experienced a landmark reduction in counterfeiting since the introduction of polymer.