WISeKey International announced Tuesday that its WISeAuthentic solution for brand protection fully integrates Hyperledger Fabric. This integration aims to minimize counterfeiting and fraud by developing a trusted digital global blockchain ledger that includes the identity of the luxury object and tracks and protects any item of value.
WISeKey will deploy open-source Hyperledger technology and combine it with WISeKey PKI to bring it in line with the brand protection industry requirements. Using a trusted private blockchain in a closed user group environment, with cybersecurity technologies combined with IoT traceability on personal data controls will be strictly governed.
Hyperledger is an open source collaborative effort created to advance cross-industry blockchain technologies. Hosted by The Linux Foundation, Hyperledger is a global collaboration of leaders in finance, banking, IoT, supply chain, manufacturing and technology. The blockchain technology reinforces the WISeKey patent, method and apparatus for digital authentication of valuable goods.
The WISeKey patent uses strong digital identification and authentication, and combined with OISTE.ORG, allows objects on the Internet to be authenticated and monitored in real-time via trusted clouds.
Counterfeiting is a rampant and growing problem-currently the estimated worldwide market value of counterfeit goods exceeds $650 billion. The fraudulent sale of products luxury goods, textiles, wine and spirits, including pharmaceuticals, damage the revenues and reputation of targeted brands. Therefore, it is critical to continuously insure consumer confidence and increase the perception of trust.
WISeKey offers a range of anti-counterfeiting solutions that enable consumers and retailers to verify the authenticity of products before the purchase. This is achieved by scanning the label with a NFC (Near Field Communication)-enabled smartphone or device. Additionally, WISeKey solutions allow suppliers and brand owners to globally track their products and engage with consumers at the point of sale and beyond to build brand loyalty.
To date, alternative anti-counterfeiting solutions have been largely ineffective because counterfeiters have been able to replicate or circumvent the security features meant to deter fraud. In a cost-effective manner, WISeKey offers the only anti-counterfeiting solution that is based upon Common Criteria (EAL4+) for object identification and FIPS 140-meaning the solution provides the same level of digital security trusted by banks, the U.S. Department of Defense and l’ANSSI in France. The WISeAuthentic Blockchain platform integrates the WISeKey Semiconductors tags which are equipped with the company’s VaultIC NFC secure elements family. These tags, when placed on any product and tapped by an NFC phone, securely authenticate and track the product much like an embedded ePassport and confirm the identity of the product on the blockchain ledger.
WISeKey’s expertise in the design of NFC secure chips allied with its WISeAuthentic original platform for the identification, authentication, tracking and customer engagement of goods, provides customer-fit solutions for brand protection.
In general, a near field magnetically coupled anti-counterfeiting tag is provided, comprising a control microcircuit configured to implement a basic function and a cryptographic function; a sacrificial conductive track arranged across a sacrificial area of the tag; and a circuit for detecting continuity of the sacrificial track, cooperating with the microcircuit to implement the basic function without implementing the cryptographic function when the sacrificial track is broken.
The microcircuit may be a standard microcircuit comprising a programmable digital input/output pin, the sacrificial track being connected between the input/output pin and a power supply pin of the microcircuit, the microcircuit being programmed to test the state of the input/output pin to determine the implementation of the cryptographic function.
Alternatively, the tag may include an antenna circuit configured to ensure a continuity detection function, the sacrificial track being connected to the antenna circuit so that its rupture shifts the frequency tuning of the antenna circuit, the offset in the tuning frequency being selected such that the supply power received by the microcircuit is lowered to a level insufficient for implementing the cryptographic function, yet sufficient for implementing the basic function.
The tag may include a compliant substrate tape; an antenna included in the antenna circuit; a capacitor connected to the antenna circuit; a sacrificial impedance; and the sacrificial track running along the tape to connect the sacrificial impedance to the antenna circuit.
The tag may include two metal surfaces facing each other on opposite sides of the substrate in a region of interest of the substrate, configured such that a piercing of the region of interest causes a permanent short circuit between the two surfaces; and a circuit configured to detect a short circuit between the two metal surfaces.
Alternatively, the tag may include a sacrificial structure including a conductive track connecting the sacrificial impedance to the antenna circuit, the track configured in meanders occupying a region of interest of the substrate so that a piercing of the area of interest severs the conducting track.
The antenna may include turns wound in a ring around a central area of the tape; the sacrificial impedance may be arranged at a first end of the tape; and the sacrificial track may include a loop extending to the second end of the tape.
The tag may include several tapes intersecting at the antenna area, the sacrificial track forming a loop in each tape segment extending from the antenna, except the tape segment supporting the sacrificial impedance.
The tag may include several tapes intersecting at the antenna area, the sacrificial track forming a loop in the tape segment opposite the one supporting the sacrificial impedance.
Through the WISeKey WISeAuthentic platform, now available for both Apple iOS11 and Android phones, the brands have the capability to directly reach the vast majority of their end-customers and enhance the efficiency of their marketing communication, while the intuitive functioning of the application enables users to secure their data with ease.
WISeKey’s patented security software is used by an extensive list of premium watch manufacturers, including Bulgari. In addition to luxury goods, this technology can be installed and used on any gadget, accessory or wearable, allowing these objects to process contactless payments.
“WISeKey has long been recognized as a leader in providing luxury and other product manufacturers with reliable means to protect their brands against counterfeiting,” said Carlos Moreno, VP Corporate Alliances and Partnerships. “Combining the blockchain technology together with our WISeAuthentic PKI platform, leverage even further the unified way to shield these brands from the harmful effects of counterfeit products, while enhancing transparency into their end consumers and the entire ecosystem.”
