Encoded Data Security Mechanism

A system for securing and tracing data comprising at least one computing component configured to:

• receive a request to generate a hardcopy printout;
• generate document output instructions for the request;
• determine data to associate with the document output instructions;
• encode the data with the generated document output instructions;
• and
• output the hardcopy printout with the encoded data,
• wherein the encoded data appears as at least three representations of noise on the hardcopy printout,
• wherein the encoded data includes information specific to a terminal device associated with the request,
• wherein the encoded data includes an identifier representative of a starting position for reading the encoded data.

One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for encoding data, the method comprising:

• receiving document output instructions corresponding to a request to generate a hardcopy printout;
• determining data to associate with the document output instructions;
• encoding the data with the generated document output instructions;
• and,
• wherein the encoded data appears as at least three representations of noise on the hardcopy printout,
• wherein the encoded data includes information specific to a terminal device associated with the request,
• wherein the encoded data includes an identifier representative of a starting position for reading the encoded data.