The new Austrian passport has achieved another significant success: On October 7, it was awarded the KSÖ Security Prize 2025 in the category “Prize for special achievements in digital security”. “We are proud that our passport has received this award,” says Helmut Lackner, General Director of the Austrian State Printing House (OeSD), with pleasure. The reason for the award is a proprietary security feature developed by the OeSD, which protects the passport not only digitally and analogously but also offers effective protection against potential future risks from quantum computers.

New passport design since late 2023

The new Austrian passport has been presented in a completely revised design and with new, high-tech security features since its introduction in December 2023. “We have relied on the latest technologies and developments in the field of security technology for the new passport,” explains Lackner. “The most important travel document for Austrians must not only be secure now but also remain so in the future.”

Become a document expert via smartphone app

An essential part of the new passport is the personalized QR code, which is included in the new passport. “Our QR code is an important milestone in the development of highly secure identity documents,” says Lackner. Using the free CHECK-AT app for iOS and Android, the QR code in the passport can be easily and securely checked. The digitally signed QR code contains the same personal identification data as the physical document. This provides an additional security hurdle for counterfeiters. When checking the QR code, the CHECK-AT app guides the user through selected security features. This allows laypeople to check the most important security features of the new Austrian passport in just a few seconds and without special prior knowledge. Thus, citizens become document experts with the touch of a button. The CHECK-AT app was developed by OeSD’s subsidiary “youniqx Identity” and supports the assessment of whether a genuine document is present.

Quantum-secure through OeSD technology “made in Austria”

In addition, the OeSD QR code is also “quantum-secure” and therefore well-equipped for the future. “Part of our task is to constantly analyze developments in the field of cybersecurity and cryptography. We are already observing potential future fields, such as quantum computers. Therefore, we consciously rely on secure solutions and expertise in these important areas at an early stage,” explains Lackner.

KSÖ Security Prize honors outstanding projects

The KSÖ Security Prize 2025 is awarded annually by the Competence Center for Secure Austria (KSÖ) to recognize outstanding achievements and cooperation in the field of security. The prizes were awarded on October 7, 2025, in Innsbruck, and are an important recognition of the work of organizations and companies in the field of security for Austria.