The Global Chip Shortage is Creating a New Problem: More Fake Components

Industry analysts believe that the global chip shortage is creating the perfect environment for counterfeit semiconductors to enter the market. From a report: With demand looking unlikely to calm down, analyst firm Gartner estimates that the semiconductor shortage will last well into 2022, and has warned equipment manufacturers that wafer orders could come with up to 12 months of lead time in the coming months. For some companies, this will mean finding an alternative way of stocking up on chips or shutting down production lines. In other words, the current times are opening up a golden opportunity for electronic component counterfeiters and fraudsters to step in. '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,' Diganta Das, a researcher in counterfeit electronics at the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE), tells ZDNet. 'You won't keep to your rules of verifying the vendor or going through test processes. This is likely to become a big problem.'

As part of his research, Das regularly monitors counterfeit reporting databases like ERAI, and although it is too early to notice a surge, he is confident that the number of reports will start growing in the next six months as companies realize they have been sold illegal parts. The problem, of course, is unlikely to affect tech giants whose reliance on semiconductors is such that they have implemented robust supply chains, and will typically only purchase components directly from chip manufacturers. Those at risk rather include low-volume manufacturers whose supply chain for semiconductors is less established -- but it could include companies in sectors that are as critical as defense, healthcare and even automotive.

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