{"id":12626,"date":"2026-09-30T11:05:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T09:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.staatsdruckerei.at\/osd-celebrates-its-222nd-anniversary-a-success-story-in-secure-identity\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T12:07:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T10:07:22","slug":"osd-celebrates-its-222nd-anniversary-a-success-story-in-secure-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.staatsdruckerei.at\/en\/osd-news\/osd-celebrates-its-222nd-anniversary-a-success-story-in-secure-identity\/","title":{"rendered":"OSD Celebrates Its 222nd Anniversary: A Success Story in Secure Identity"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Austrian State Printing Company (OSD) celebrated its 222nd anniversary with a ceremony on September 29. Founded by Austrian Emperor Franz I in 1804 as the \u201cImperial Printing Office,\u201d the company looks back on an extraordinary success story. With its transformation into a globally active high-tech company specializing in secure physical and digital identity, the Austrian State Printing Company has opened a new chapter in its success story in recent years. \u201cSecurity is always our top priority\u2014whether in the physical or digital world. We consistently offer our customers the highest quality standards and set the international pace for digital identity solutions,\u201d said OSD Director General Helmut Lackner.<\/p>\n

Austrian Minister of the Interior Karner: A secure identity system leaves no room for error<\/h3>\n

\"\"Austrian Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner emphasized that the protection and secure verification of personal identity are among the core responsibilities of every democratic state. According to Karner, when it comes to secure identity, there must be no room for error\u2014neither in the analog nor in the digital realm. For this reason, the state sets the highest quality standards for identity documents and proof of identity, standards that are consistently and reliably met by the Austrian State Printing Company. In this context, the Minister of the Interior praised the new generation of passports, whose quantum-secure QR code can be easily verified by using a free verification app.<\/p>\n

Austrian Minister of Innovation Hanke: Becoming a \u201chidden champion\u201d through continuous innovation<\/h3>\n

\"\"At the ceremony, Austrian Minister of Innovation Peter Hanke explained that the Austrian State Printing Company had evolved into a \u201chidden champion\u201d that stands in a special way for innovation \u201cmade in Austria\u201d and Austrian expertise. \u201cEven in a highly competitive global industry with major players, the Austrian State Printing Company demonstrates what is possible through continuous innovation and targeted development of the region,\u201d said Hanke.<\/p>\n

Secure Identity as the Foundation for Democracy, the Rule of Law, and the Business Environment<\/h3>\n

Especially in light of growing international uncertainties and developments in the field of artificial intelligence, secure identity is becoming increasingly important for nations, companies, and individuals. \u201cOur highly secure products and identity solutions build trust and provide security even in the digital world. This strengthens democracy, the rule of law, and Austria as a business location,\u201d said Lackner. The connection between secure identity, a stable democracy, and a successful business location was also highlighted during the ceremony, which was attended by members of the federal government partners, experts, and district administrators from across Austria.<\/p>\n

Investments in Internationally Acclaimed Innovations<\/h3>\n

Key pillars of OSD\u2019s success include a highly qualified workforce, strong innovative capabilities, and significant investments. The company\u2019s own innovations and patents, as well as its leading role in international expert committees (e.g., ICAO and ISO), underscore its leadership in innovation. Its digital subsidiary, \u201cyouniqx Identity AG,\u201d is an internationally renown developer of digital identities and launched the world\u2019s first digital identity app as early as 2015. With the Austrian “eAusweise” app\u2014which includes a digital driver\u2019s license and digital vehicle registration certificate in Austria\u2014the \u201ceID.li\u201d in Liechtenstein, and the digital infrastructure of the German EUDI Wallet, the company is setting new standards for secure digital identity.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Austrian State Printing Company\u2019s strong innovative capacity is also backed by significant investments. Over the past ten years, OSD has invested approximately 30 million Euros in its transformation into a high-security company specializing in physical and digital identity. OSD Director General Lackner: \u201cIn the next two years alone, we will invest an additional 10 million Euros to continue living up to our \u2018best-in-class\u2019 standard. We remain at the forefront of technology so that our customers can continue to rely with confidence on \u2018made in Austria\u2019 solutions for their identity needs in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Austria\u2019s \u201cRed-White-Red\u201d Safety Culture Is Being Successfully Exported<\/h3>\n

For the Austrian State Printing Company, safety is not just a matter of technology, but also a cultural topic that encompasses all areas of the company, which employs approximately 250 people in Vienna. A highly secure production and personalization environment in specially shielded security areas, combined with consistently high quality standards\u2014including a \u201czero-error\u201d policy\u2014ensures that sensitive personal data is protected to the greatest extent possible. Production takes place exclusively in Austria. Austrians\u2019 personal data never leaves the country at any stage of production.\u201cNo passport travels abroad without its owner,\u201d<\/i> emphasizes OSD Director General Lackner.<\/p>\n

The high-security products \u201cmade in Austria\u201d are highly regarded worldwide: The company supplies customers on five continents around the globe. In addition to physical passport production and secure personalization infrastructure, customized ID systems represent an important international growth market. The export share has doubled over the past eight years to about 25% of revenue. OSD Director General Lackner: \u201cOn September 29, we celebrated not only 222 years of extraordinary history, but also the future of secure physical and digital identity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fact Box: Austrian State Printing Office (OSD)<\/h3>\n