Advantages of Data Matrix in Document Security

High data capacity
Data Matrix codes can generally store up to 2335 alphanumeric characters. Data Matrix can encode text, numbers, bytes of data, digital signatures, and photos.


High security with Digital Signatures
Digital signatures are created and verified by cryptography, the mathematics that allows the user to transform messages into seemingly unintelligible forms and back again. Digital signatures use what is known as "public key cryptography," which employs an algorithm using two different but mathematically related "keys;" one for creating a digital signature or transforming data into a seemingly unintelligible form, and another key for verifying a digital signature or returning the message to its original form.

We now have the ability to add a digital signature to data that will be printed on an appraisal with a 2D symbol, using datamatrix.

Encryption

Our encryption can be used to totally secure the contents of the 2D symbol, using DES standards. Appraisal Matrix uses a 256-bit data encryption which is very difficult to break. Breaking the 128-Bit encryption is a difficult task. It took 22,000 participants, using idle time of 50,000 CPUs, hitting 72 quadrillion possible keys to break just 56-bit data encryption standard. The effort needed to break 256-bit is virtually impossible and it discourages all enthusiastic hackers. Further more the Data Matrix barcode itself can not be altered.

High degree of redundancy and accurate dependable reading
Because it can hold a much larger volume of data, two-dimensional codes like the Data Matrix provide an excellent amount of redundancy using error correction. Employing the Reed-Solomon error correction, Data Matrix codes can reconstruct up to 20% of damaged characters while traditional barcodes have absolutely no error correction providing simply a check digit for basic error detection. If the barcode is damaged or looses any characters, those characters are lost forever. This enables Data Matrix codes to guarantee a fast and accurate reading where misreading is almost a thing of the past.

Low contrast readability A further advantage is the low requirement that reader devices have on the necessary contrast. A contrast as low as 20% is sufficient to render the code legible. By comparison,linear barcodes require a contrast value of 70 – 80%.

Transferability & Access
The Data Matrix is saved as a bitmap image and pasted on appraisals from the inception and becomes an appendage even in paper form.  So the technology follows the paper trail. The ability to immediately access the information & verify independently is just as important.