Networked RFID Systems and Lightweight Cryptography: Raising Barriers to Product Counterfeiting

This book consists of a collection of works on utilizing the automatic identification technology provided by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to address the problems of global counterfeiting of goods. The book presents current research, directed to securing supply chains against the efforts of counterfeit operators, carried out at the Auto-ID Labs around the globe. It assumes very little knowledge on the part of the reader on Networked RFID systems as the material provided in the introduction familiarizes the reader with concepts, underlying principles and vulnerabilities of modern RFID systems.

This book considers the methods used by illicit manufactures and traders to introduce counterfeit goods into the supply chain, the extent of their success, the various barriers that may be brought against their actions, and the effectiveness of those barriers. The new field of lightweight cryptography is described in the context of using RFID systems in the fight against counterfeit products, its cost effectiveness is examined and feasible approaches to its deployment are described. Research problems and likely avenues for solutions are also presented to guide a global effort in anti-counterfeiting.