The time to start planning for new anti-counterfeiting systems is now. Some distributors, such as Connecticut-based SMT Corp., have introduced sophisticated inspection and testing equipment to identify fakes. Industry standards committees, including SAE and the Independent Distributors of Electronics Association, have been working to refine new anti-counterfeiting procedures and processes. The clock is ticking. But one thing is clear, new technologies can be key to thwarting counterfeits in electronics critical to national security.

James A. Hayward