What is Tamper-Resistant Technology ?

As brands increasingly look to protect their products and maintain consumer trust, tamper-resistant technology is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Where tamper-evident technology looks to warn consumers that products have been accessed by unauthorized persons, tamper-resistant technology seeks to make this initial tampering more difficult in the first place.

This technology is common across numerous industries, from pharmaceuticals to consumer tech, but how effective is it in the modern landscape? Let’s take a close look at tamper-resistant technology, how it works, and how to improve its efficacy in anti-counterfeiting.

Tamper-resistant meaning & other types of anti-counterfeiting technology

It’s important to clearly differentiate the different kinds of tamper protection available on the market today. In broad terms, these are:

Tamper-resistant. The main focus of this article, these solutions are products or packaging designed to resist tampering without guarantee of being unbreachable. They may also not show that tampering efforts have occurred when halted.
Tamper-evident. This includes seals or labels that leave an unmistakable sign when tampered with. This provides a clear indication to consumers that tampering has occurred making them ideal for products such as food or tech.
Tamper-proof. This is the most extreme approach and involves making accessing a product or its packing almost impossible without specialized tools or methods. These solutions can be costly and make products less user-friendly.

Each of these solutions can come in two basic varieties. These are known as covert and overt.

Covery solutions are not detectable from a basic visual inspection and require specific technology or tools. This might be in the form of invisible ink, microtect, or digital authentication tags. These solutions ensure product or packaging ergonomics are not affected.

Overt solutions, on the other hand, are instantly recognisable to the handler and include tools such as holograms, security seals, or tamper-evident labels. These methods are designed to be both a verification that a product is in its original state as well as a deterrent to unauthorized people.

The different types of tamper-resistant technology

Here’s a brief overview of the different kinds of tamper-resistant technology on the market today.

Tamper-resistant screws & fasteners

These are specially designed fasteners or screws that need unique tools to remove. This makes them difficult for unauthorized persons to access.

You’ll find these in electronics, cars, and secure enclosures. They often come in the form of screw or bolt heads with unique patterns that aren’t accessible by everyday tools such as hexagonal sockets or torx drives.

Tamper-resistant packaging

These solutions are common in sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, and consumer electronics. Tamper-resistant packaging can feature elements like secure seals and breakable closing mechanisms to deter unauthorized persons from accessing the products inside.

Tamper-resistant electronic components

These can be both physical or software-based solutions that can destroy either themselves or data on an electronic device when tampering is detected. These are usually found in sensitive devices like smartphones or ATMs to make unauthorized access pointless and prevent breaches of personal or financial data.

The pros and cons of tamper-resistant technology

Each of the different levels of anti-tampering solutions comes with unique benefits and drawbacks. We explore the pros and cons of tamper-resistant technology here:

Pros

Increased security. Innately provides resistance to unauthorized access, creating a clear challenge for potential tampers.
Cost-effective. Affordable compared to more extreme tamper-proof technologies while still offering protection.
Variety of applications. Versatile and can be used in a wide variety of sectors and product types.

Cons

Not foolproof. Doesn’t provide the same level of security as tamper-proof solutions, being breachable with widely attainable tools or skills.
No evidence of tampering. Unlike tamper-evident solutions, tamper-resistant products might not clearly show when tampering has occurred. This can make it difficult to track unsuccessful attempts and investigate causes.
Potential customer frustration. Some more rudimentary solutions can make products or their packaging a hassle to access for genuine consumers, harming the user experience.

An alternative solution to protect your products

While tamper-resistant technologies are worthwhile, they don’t completely guarantee protection of intellectual property. They also can’t fully safeguard consumers from the risks of altered or counterfeit products.

The solution to this challenge is to pair tamper-resistant with modern digital verification technologies like NFC chips to offer a comprehensive approach to product security.

NFC authentication is easily verifiable with common smartphones and, when implemented properly, offers a foolproof way for consumers to trust the product they’re buying is genuine.

Introducing Authentify It

Authentify It is an NFC and QR code based solution integrating cutting-edge technologies like blockchain to provide a brand-new way to protect products. It can also hold extensive product data and allow manufacturers to leverage a completely new way of enhancing consumer trust and building engagement.

Get in touch today to find out more.