As some of you are aware right now, there is a global chip shortage. As a result, it might be harder to get the parts that a company needs to make a product, which means that it could be delayed. However, it seems that delayed products might not be the only problem we might face with the global chip shortage.According to a report from ZDNet, a potential problem caused by the chip shortage could come in the form of fake components. The idea is that because some companies might be desperate to try and fill orders or face production lines shutting down, they might turn to other vendors for their components, and that in their haste and desperation, might miss something during the verifying process.
Speaking to ZDNet, Diganta Das, a researcher in counterfeit electronics at the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering said, “If next week, you need to get 5,000 parts or your line will shut down, you will be in a situation of distress purchase and you will put your guard down. You won’t keep to your rules of verifying the vendor or going through test processes. This is likely to become a big problem.”
While Das says that it might be too early to notice a surge in counterfeit components, he believes that could change in the next few months. That being said, it has been suggested that this probably wouldn’t affect larger tech companies who source directly from chip makers, but rather low-volume manufacturers who might have less established supply chains.