ETG System: Tracking and Guarantee Label for the security of
New Generation Banknotes of the UFWC project



AIM: This document provides a brief outline of a system that raises the security level on authenticity for all types of paper documents (e.g. banknotes, contracts, packaging. See areas of application.) and it is inserted in the UFWC program (tests of paper or precious banknotes)

TECHNOLOGY: This system is the integration of two technologies:
1. Cryptography (symmetric or asymmetric) and/or hashing.
1. Barcode.

Thanks to cryptography, even integrated with hashing techniques, the authenticity, integrity, privacy and non-disclaimer of information can be guaranteed. Such a guarantee is made possible by a security code that is associated unequivocally with the information you wish to safeguard. Said security code can take the following forms, according to the application in question: digital signature, ciphering or hashing of information, or any combination of these.

The security code generated as described above is codified as a barcode in paper documents. As a result, it can be read and verified rapidly using appropriate devices with optic and/or magnetic readers.

EXAMPLE APPLICATION (Figure 1): Let’s take the example that we wish to prevent a banknote serial number being tampered with. The serial number can be signed or simply codified (given the limited length of serial numbers) using a private key belonging to the authority that has issued the banknote. The result of this operation is a security code, in the form of a barcode, that can be printed on the banknote. The security code is a key element for guaranteeing the security features that we wish to ensure. Indeed, this tool will allow us to guarantee the integrity of banknote serial numbers, in other words, they cannot be tampered with.