Founded in 1852, the company evolved from a manufacturer of banknotes, substrates, banknote processing machines, securities, ID documents (such as national ID cards and passports), and payment cards to a provider of security technologies in payment systems, identities, connectivity, and digital infrastructures.

[7][9] In an attempt to eliminate the national debts, the government of the Weimar Republic had massively expanded the money supply after the end of the war in 1918, which led to hyperinflation in the 1920s.

Due to the rampant currency devaluation, the Reich's printing office was no longer able to meet the rapidly growing demand for banknotes.

[7] In 1970, Siegfried Otto founded the Gesellschaft für Automation und Organisation mbH (GAO), which served as the hub for G+D's research and development activities for more than 30 years.

Following German reunification, G+D reacquired its original headquarters in Leipzig in 1991, integrating it into the Munich-based group as a site for security printing and banknote production.

[25] Over the following years, G+D developed Visa personalisation systems for countries such as Kazakhstan, Serbia, and Italy, as well as producing electronic health cards, including for Taiwan.

[31] Dr. Karsten Ottenberg, CEO and Chairman of the G+D Management Board, explained: "Our decision is a reaction to the political tension in Zimbabwe, which is mounting significantly rather than easing as expected, and takes account of the critical evaluation by the international community, German government and general public.

This company is offering secure identification products for governments, such as ID cards, passports, and automated border control systems.

[34][35] In 2017, Giesecke+Devrient joined the Verimi identification platform, which together with more than a dozen well-known German and foreign companies, offers a portal for the protection of digital identity and personal data.

[37] At the same time, the company underwent restructuring and transformed into a holding structure, distributing its business activities across four subsidiaries.

The business was divided into the units G+D Currency Technology (including the Louisenthal paper mill), Secunet, Veridos, and G+D Mobile Security.

[41] In 2019, G+D acquired a 4.85% stake in Berlin-based Brighter AI Technologies GmbH to support developments in biometric identity protection, such as facial anonymisation.

Filia does not require a bank account or network connection, ensures no private data is disclosed, and incurs no transaction fees.

[50] In 2021, G+D acquired the British Pod Group active in scalable internet of things (IoT) connectivity technologies.

[51] A year later, G+D acquired the payment and identity business units of Valid USA, including three production facilities in Illinois and Indiana, employing over 400 staff in total.

[55] In November 2009 Giesecke+Devrient announced plans to form a new company with SAP AG and Nokia Corp., named Original1, to deliver product authentication and anti-counterfeiting services globally.

[59] Since 2018, G+D Ventures has been investing in start-ups in the TrustTech sector, backing technologies that improve trust in digital processes.

[64] The company offers products and applications for security technology (SecurityTech) in three segments, each of which generated sales of just under one billion euros in 2023.

[69][49] G+D’s SecurityTech includes applications for identity protection and the safeguarding of sensitive data through verification and authentication technologies.

The offering covers all steps of the financial services process – from registration and authentication to card issuance, digital banking, and checkout in e-commerce.

[49][71] In addition, G+D supports central banks in developing efficient cash cycle applications and payment technologies for both physical and digital currencies.

[72][1] In 2010, shareholder Verena von Mitschke-Collande founded the G+D Foundation[73] to support institutions and develop projects focusing on art, culture, and education.