Hitachi announced today the development of a mechanism for attesting the authenticity of memory chips using highly secure digital signatures in a worldwide breakthrough. Since the mechanism requires neither a CPU nor a computational unit, high security can be attained at a very low cost. As a result, counterfeited or altered memory devices can be recognized as such, with a wide range of applications, including memory cards for digital cameras or handheld video game consoles, cartridges for consumer products, admission tickets or gift coupons.