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Counterfeit items can be viewed as the by-product of a supply chain which has been compromised. While many industries are impacted, certain types of products can mean the difference between life and death. Electronics are of special interest, however, mechanical parts can also have dire consequences. The point is that the counterfeiting community is very diverse. The business model is fluid and unrestricted. Electronics today…hardware tomorrow. All of this leads to the need for an authentication platform that is agnostic to product. Most supply chains would benefit from a technical way to have assurance of authenticity - a benefit that could be shared by all.

Proposes adoption of an industry standard marking protocol to assure the authenticity of high-reliability electronics. The protocol is seen as a key ingredient in the industry's effort to control counterfeit electronic parts escapes. The specifications of the marking protocol have been informed by the experience of the authors, who are currently participating in a DNA marking program mandated by the Defense Logistics Agency. The protocol would set out these criteria for an effective marking program: Simplicity Proven uncopyability Reportability: transparency and ease of oversight Legal validity: empowering of law enforcement Quick ramp-up and seamless implementation Extreme fidelity and absolute character of results - reliability of the mark at a very high level Universal adoption