A Cryptographic Solution for Supply Chain Assurance

To prevent counterfeiting and other fraudulent activity in the supply chain, ways of confirming an electronic component is as per the order is required. This is particularly true in high-value "intelligent" ICs where there is the most profit to be made. There are solutions to this issue ranging from only buying from approved sources (process solutions) to highly complex system level designs (technology solutions). This paper presents a cryptographic solution to the problem that allows the extension of trusted sites from the chip designer and OEM through the entire supply chain to the delivery of finished goods to the customer.