Methods and systems for determining the authenticity of a component

An imaging system comprising:

• an imaging device including a controller, the controller including a processor and associated memory;
• a first supply item removably installed in the imaging device, the first supply item including a first supply item security device, the first supply item security device including a processor and a hardware encryption component;
• and
• a second supply item removably installed in the imaging device, wherein the second supply item is one of a toner cartridge, imaging unit or a fuser, and the second supply item includes a second supply item security device, the second supply item security device including a processor and a hardware encryption component;
• wherein the imaging system is configured to authenticate the first supply item by:
• sending a challenge response from the first supply item to the second supply item, and
• determining, by the processor and hardware encryption component of the second supply item security device, a status of the challenge response, the status being verified or unverified, wherein when the second supply item security device determines that the received challenge response is a correct output of an algorithm when challenge data is input to the algorithm, the status is determined as verified,
• wherein the first supply item is designated as a prover supply item, and the second supply item is designated as a verifier supply.