Release Date: February 2010

Introduction
Sporting events, particularly those with global appeal, require the safe entry, exit and movement of thousands of people, often over several days within multiple venues with many entrances.  Meeting the unparalleled security demands facing cities and venues hosting such events can be immensely challenging.  A rise in anti-social behaviour, the risk of competitor infringement, terrorist threats and the production of counterfeit identification passes, have all led to an increased demand from sports event organisers for more sophisticated security solutions. 

New technologies in the production of secure identity documents have been developed that enable stadiums, venues and event organisers to have secure identification methods in place and ensure that only those who are authorised to be at an event are able to gain entry to it.  This article will discuss the issue of counterfeit identity documentation at major sporting events and how these issues can be overcome.  It will also look at the latest security technologies and their benefits.     

Background
As desktop printing capabilities become more advanced, the ability to create realistic counterfeit passes and entrance cards has become increasingly easy.  The inadequate regulation of internet auction sites means that businesses can quickly and easily produce counterfeits, make money and disappear instantly, only to start up a new business under another name within a matter of minutes.  Terrorist threats, anti-social behaviour and new legislation have all also contributed to heightened security risks at sporting events.  This shifting security paradigm presents a number of key questions for organisers, namely: how is security at major events to be maintained? 

An event pass or identity card is capable of incorporating a range of technology features to create an appropriate level of security for a particular event.  By choosing a specialist supplier these features can be specifically tailored to meet the event organiser’s needs, depending on the verification capabilities utilised.  High security overt features such as holographic devices within the design, and colour shift inks can be incorporated into a pass to allow easy front of house checks, ensuring prompt and safe entry and exit, whilst maintaining a high level of security at all times.  These overt features are simple and quick to verify with a minimum amount of equipment and training.  They also have the added benefit of being completely functional under various weather and lighting conditions. 

In addition, customers can select from a variety of in-built security features that will draw attention to any attempts to tamper with passes, in order to change the details of the authorised user to those of a different person.   High-security covert features such as infra red (IR) and ultra violet (UV) pigments, microtext and microscopic tagging, can also be incorporated to permit back office checks to verify that a pass is authentic if any attempt at counterfeiting is suspected.

Creating a comprehensive portfolio of security solutions
Recent technological advancements have seen the introduction of a comprehensive range of identification solutions which can help to ensure the security of sporting events.  These new technologies also offer the flexibility to be adjusted to the specific security issues and needs of each company.  The event pass or identification card offers a highly visible form of ID which can be easily identified and verified with the minimum of delay.  They can also encompass many technologies that can be tailored to the level of security required for an event.  These options include unique serial numbers, barcodes, fine line/guilloche print, magnetic strip, microtext print, UV print, hologram and contact/contactless chip. 

More recently event passes have been encapsulated within a highly secure laminate pouch meaning that they are rugged and durable and unlike paper tickets will not wear or damage easily.  Passes are completely waterproof meaning that they remain visible even in wet weather conditions.  This also makes them perfect for events which run over multiple days, or a whole season, with the pass remaining intact throughout.  In addition, event passes can incorporate a contactless RFID chip in each pass.  This makes it possible for data to be stored on the pass, allowing automated movement around the event, without the need for human verification.

The new card manufacturing and digital print capabilities that are available offer customers a complete card management solution for events.  Traditionally it has been perceived as uneconomical to produce identification cards that require a high level of personalization in small runs.  By using state of the art digital print, companies (such as Payne Security) are working to change this perception by providing customers with high-quality, unique cards which are cost-effective.  Designs are sent straight to the press, allowing highly personalised card designs to be produced to specific requirements in low or medium quantities.  The company’s unique personalization service provides secure cards to the highest quality with all the print features locked into the core of the card, ensuring durability and security.

Selecting the right supplier of security solutions
Selecting the right supplier is paramount for event organisers if they are to ensure that the highest level of security is created around their event.  Over recent years the structure of the security market has changed and organisers can now enjoy the advantages of purchasing all their security solutions including technologies, personalisation capabilities and services from one supplier.  This offers organisers a number of clear benefits.  Firstly, a single supplier can advise how best to put together their solutions to create the most rigorous security program possible.  It also means that all supplies are coming from the same place at the same time for a completely hassle free delivery besides ensuringsecurity of the supply chain.  In addition by having one company delivering the entireID solution, any issues that arise can be quickly eradicated by their highly experienced team without causing any added anxiety to the organiser.   Finally, by working with a single supplier eventorganisers see improvements in the overall cost efficiency of their event. 

When selecting a supplier, organisers should be looking for a company that has a strong background in security management and one that is highly experienced in supplying high profile organisations, institutions and events.  By utilising such a company, customerscan take advantage of a wealth of innovative security solutions and experience as well as specialist production equipment, printing techniques and ensure control of materials that are extremely difficult to counterfeit.

Service & delivery
Defeating counterfeiters requires a multi-level approach.  In addition to the various card market technologies, the latest advancements now enable personal identification data to be encoded into passes and cards through a variety of different methods including magnetic strips, RFID, contactless or Smart (contact) chips.  High-speed encoding production lines are able to identify cards and encode the unique data according to the structure and requirements of each card application.

Furthermore, fulfilment facilities provide the added value service of taking a personalised card and mailing it direct to the customer.  This ensures consistency, total control and the benefit of cost saving driven by an efficient production process.  There is no need to transfer cards elsewhere, therefore reducing the possibility of card damage or loss in transit and ultimately loss of time. 

Identification solutions can be supplied to customers in two different ways, either by mail fulfilment, where the organiser provides the company with their data and the finished laminated passes are supplied, whether to the organiser or directly to the pass holder.  Alternatively, where localised completion of passes is required, the company is able to supply the components, software for completion and laminators to enable its customers to have onsite issuance facilities for additional provision of passes.  Event organisers may also find that a combination of both of these supply methods is most suitable for thier event.

Conclusion
The level of risk that sporting event organisers face from anti-social behaviour, terrorism, competitor intrusion and the production of counterfeit identification documents is continuously increasing.  These very real threats have commanded the development of new identification technologies to overcome the challenges that event organizers are now encountering on a routine basis.  Choosing a company with a comprehensive portfolio of security solutions provides customers with an extended range of products designed to beat counterfeiters and prove personal identity.  By implementing these security techniques venue and event organisers are able to gain a unique advantage in the development of some of the most secure events in the world today.