of the process, the sheer number of particles, and the

random geometry of their shape and size. When the

slurry dries, the receptor layer is sliced into strips and

applied to plastic cards, but the random pattern on the

magnetic media remains. This randomness introduced

during the manufacturing process cannot be controlled

or predicted or duplicated, but the PUF can be read.

This magnetic PUF is a classic example of a PUF using

implicit randomness. It is this property which assures

that a Qwantum card cannot be counterfeited or altered

without detection.

No Personally Identiable Information (PII)

Qwantum Cards or Tokens do not carry or emit machine-

readable Primary Account Numbers (PANs) or Personally

Identiable Information (PII). PANs and PII are hazardous

data. Qwantum cards have an optional number which

identies the card, but does not provide any information

related to the cardholder. In a pure Qwantum Card world,

there are no Names, no Account Numbers, or anything

that will betray consumer personal data. If numbers

and data exist on the card or token, it is merely to

identify the device itself. The encoded data identies the

token, the Qwantum data authenticates the token, and

possession of the unique token establishes ownership

and authenticates the User.

Qwantum Media is a division of MagTek that supplies Cards or Tokens, in various shapes and

materials. The devices cannot be cloned or altered, do not contain a PAN or sensitive data,

and provide Qwantum Authentication Codes.

MagTek | Qwantum Authentication Codes | White Paper

Physically Unclonable Functions

Qwantum cards are endowed with a Unique Magnetic

Particle Pattern which serves as a digital ngerprint.

Every high-coercivity magnetic stripe card carries a

Physically Unclonable Function or a PUF. In the world of

Quantum Physics, a PUF is a physical entity, embodied

in a physical structure that is easy to evaluate but hard

to predict. One major way that PUFs are categorized is

based on examining the source of the randomness or

variation, from which the PUF is derived. This source

of uniqueness is either applied in an explicit manner,

through the deliberate addition of extra manufacturing

steps (like a coating), or occurs in an implicit manner, as

part of the typical manufacturing processes.

All PUFs depend on the uniqueness of their physical

micro-structure. This micro-structure depends on random

physical factors introduced during manufacturing. These

factors must be unpredictable and uncontrollable, such

that it makes it virtually impossible to duplicate or clone

the structure.

A magnetic PUF is based on unique physical variations

which occur naturally during manufacturing. The physical

structure of the magnetic stripe applied to a card is

fabricated by blending billions of particles of barium

ferrite together in a slurry during the manufacturing

process. The particles have many different shapes

and sizes. The slurry is applied to a receptor layer. The

particle distribution is random, much like pouring a

handful of wet magnetic sand onto a carrier. To pour

the sand to land in exactly the same pattern a second

time is physically impossible due to the inexactness

MagTek® Inc., 1710 Apollo Court, Seal Beach, CA 90740 | p 562-546-6400 | f 562-546-6301 | www.magtek.com

Qwantumization

Qwantumization is an enrollment process whereby:

1) the encoded data is frozen - Read only Technology

2) the Dynamic Data is enabled - Touch me - I change

3) the Root Qwantum Authentication Code (an

intermingling of the frozen data and the dynamic Data) -

RQAC is recorded

Where Qwantumization takes place

The best place to capture the Root Qwantum

Authentication Code is during manufacture or

personalization. Here, the Qwantum value is

authoritative because it was captured in a controlled

card issuing process. It’s also possible to capture

Qwantum Codes in the wild.

A Quantum equipped reader can pick up the Qwantum

Code, mark it as provisional, and send it to storage for

future use. When the pedigree of the code is undisputed,

the Qwantum Code can be elevated to the Root QAC.

The Qwantum Promise

If the card:

1. bears a Qwantum Logo

2. and has been registered by Magensa or MagTek

3. and receives a passing score in the Qwantum

Authentication Engine

4. and is actually counterfeit or the relying data has

been altered

MagTek will absorb the nancial loss due to the

fraudulent transaction*.

* Limits, terms, and conditions apply.

Qwantum Authentication Codes (QAC)

Qwantum Authentication Codes are based on the

principles of Quantum Physics. They morph with every

use. Literally, just touch the card and its Qwantum

output will change.

Qwantum Authentication Codes (QAC) are

• Dynamic Digital Codes emitted by the Card

• Derived from an underlying Magnetic PUF

As in Quantum Mechanics the Codes are

• Unpredictable

• Non-repeatable

• Un-alterable

• Used only once

• Veriable by Quantum Correlation to the root QAC –

proven provenance

Qwantum Authentication Codes can be used like

a key to grant permission to

• Download software

• Log-in

• Access a building

• Retrieve an API

• Update a conguration

• Open a door

• Authorize a nancial transaction

• Attest to an approved transaction

• Inject a key

• Install a certicate

• Redeem points at POS

• Obtain Rewards or Coupons

• Any other use where “UserName and Password” is

insufcient. (There are too many to list)

The codes can be delivered directly from the card swipe or

delivered to a phone, tablet or PC from the Magensa HSMs.

Shortened QAC: Qwick Codes

Qwick Codes are a shortened version of a Qwantum

Code. Easy for a consumer to remember or enter, Qwick

Codes are an index or pointer to a valid Qwantum Code.

MagTek | Qwantum Authentication Codes | White Paper