Fundamentals
Serialization - The Basics
What are the dynamics involved that make serialization such an extremely efficient and powerful counterfeit protection ?
The short answer is that in fact there are a multitude of mechanisms working at many security levels and aspects simultaneously; easy, cost effective, prolific and non-ambiguous verification of product items, consumer empowerment, complete geographical reach, critical information management, uncomplicated application, early warning and interdiction, supply chain surveillance and in-sight, psychological deterrence, real-time security intelligence, longevity and robustness of numbering schemes and more.
However, the following canon formulated by Kezzler really captures the essence of serialization and its elemental workings;
Serialization is an extremely efficient and preventive anti-counterfeiting protection, partly since any product item (only) can be checked instantaneously on an individual basis by anyone at location, but most significantly because serialization makes it virtually impossible to manufacture counterfeited products even on a small scale due to the absolute lack of critical information (serial numbers) required for imitating genuine product items.
In an attempt to crack the system it is therefore actually necessary to imitate something unknown !
As opposed to traditional anti-counterfeiting technologies that try to protect every single product item on a one-by-one basis with a common signature, serialization has been designed to work as a holistic system that relies on protecting the individual item uniquely, the item population collectively, and to dynamically adapt with its total generated knowledge, experience and intelligence accumulated from the population of product items, all three mechanisms meshing, feeding back and reinforcing each other.
Track and Trace - The Basics
Secure Track and Trace most significant security mechanism relies on the fact that every unit being transported can be identified and recognized uniquely at all times. Always associating this identity with a mandatory currently recorded possessor of the goods, there is always someone that is held accountable for the units.
Since all protected products have their unique identity, the supply chain policies govern the handling of the products based on the relevant circumstances compared to the optimal situation defined by the brand owner. This prevents both unauthorized handling as well as giving early warning about supply chain violations.
Track and trace is a practical system implementation of the following principle;At all times it must be known (a) which products are located (b) where, (c) when they got there and conveyed/received by (d) whom, all considered in that order of significance
The logical and practical consequence of this principle is that accountability for the parties being part of the supply chain can be controlled and also goods are transferred in a controlled fashion. Tracking is the process and result of a series of authentications of goods respecting this principle.
Secure track and trace is designed to enforce two important impacts:
- it prevents counterfeited goods to enter the secured supply chain
- it detects "leakage" and "doctoring" of genuine products for illegal handling and intentions
Granular and dynamic supply chain and product security policies are enforced globally minute-by-minute, effective as a preventive and reactive security measure.
