Identify Counterfeit and Pirated Products
Brand protection
Protect your infrastructure from threats and ensure top performance by using only genuine Cisco products.
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Why should I care?
Buy genuine
Quality and authenticity should be your top consideration when buying products.
Sourcing unauthorized products
Products sourced from outside Cisco authorized channels may pass through many hands before they reach you.
Types of unauthorized products
Unauthorized products may include secondhand, third-party, or even stolen products.
Counterfeit products
Counterfeit products can contain components that have been tampered with, including illegal software. Counterfeit products may not perform to standards.
Counterfeit risks
Counterfeit products can cause serious risks to network quality, performance, safety, and reliability.
Cisco security labels
The following labels address Cisco product security using a multilayer approach, and support the identification of suspicious products.
Dates on security labels from new products purchased from Cisco authorized channels should correlate to the transaction date.
Carton security label
Carton security labels, often found overlapping the edge of the carton's white label.
Chassis security labels
Chassis labels are found on selective chassis products.
PCBA security label
Holographic and other security features are found on most line cards and modules' printed circuit board assemblies.
Module security label
Holographic security indicators are on most optical transceivers and highspeed cable assemblies.
Carton security label
Early 2023 to Present
1. Security thread seen woven into the middle area of the label
2. Label serial number in 1D barcode is reprinted in a line relief pattern on the left side
3. Label serial number is reprinted in the rainbow color on top of the label
Mid-2020 to early 2023
- Look for a genuine hologram. Watch the video to see authentic features when tilted:
- Stylized Cisco bridge logo visible between moon and arrow will shift color
- Background color changes between moon and star images
- Hour markers on the clock face vary in colors
- Color shifting area varies from purple to green by changing the viewing angles
- Reflective circular foil area reveals a bridge image when tilted
Mid-2018 to mid-2020
- This version label differs from the prior version in part by:
- A blue Cisco logo
- Four random symbols to the left of the logo
- Tilt the genuine label to see the embossed "CISCO" appearing in the orange area
- Look for micro text "CISCO" present in the border of the wave sign
Mid-2016 to mid-2018
- This version label has a blue and red Cisco logo
- Tilt the genuine label to see the embossed “CISCO” appearing in the orange area
- Look for micro text “CISCO” present in the border of the wave sign
Mid-2008 to mid-2016
- This label version uses a black “Cisco” logo in the center of the label
- Authentic label has a raised intaglio surface across the top of the same class used in currency
- Genuine label has a Cisco logo and ISO 9001 mark made with silver foil with a reflective feature seen when tilted
Mid-2006 to mid-2008
- This label version has the trademark logo “Cisco Systems” in the center
- Authentic label has a raised intaglio surface across the top of the same class used in currency
- Genuine label has a Cisco logo and ISO 9001 mark made with silver foil with a reflective feature seen when tilted
Chassis security labels
Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label is an identity label
Mid-2021 to present
- Look for a genuine hologram. Watch the video to see authentic features when tilted
- Stylized Cisco bridge logo visible between moon and arrow will shift color
- Background color changes between moon and star images
- Hour markers on the clock face vary in colors
- Authentic label has a raised intaglio surface across the bottom of the label
- Label serial number (example E019289431) is also printed in small font in the background
Chassis seal label is a tamper-evident label
Mid-2021 to present
- Verify that this label has not been tampered or broken upon receiving new-in-box. When the label is broken, it is likely that the chassis has been opened
- To see genuine holographic features, watch the video
- Rotating an authentic label reveals a check mark and padlock symbols
- Best viewing of the side dots with its corresponding numeric numbers is achieved with a single light source by tilting the label left to right and up and down
PCBA security label
Mid-2018 to present
- To see genuine holographic features, watch the video
- Rotating an authentic label reveals a checkmark and padlock symbols
- Best viewing of the side dots with its corresponding numeric numbers is achieved with a single light source by tilting the label left to right and up and down
2009 to mid-2018
- To see genuine holographic features, watch the video
- Best viewing of the side dots is achieved with a single light source by tilting the label left to right and up and down
2006 to 2009
- To see genuine holographic features, watch the video
- Best viewing of the side dots is achieved with a single light source by tilting the label left to right and up and down
- A bright pointed star is on the authentic holographic cube
Module security label
Mid-2021 to present
- Look for genuine hologram. Watch the video
- Tilt the genuine holographic label to see a padlock, check mark, and text “BP” at three different depth levels
Mid-2017 to mid-2021
- Look for genuine hologram. Watch the video
- Tilt the genuine holographic label to see a padlock, check mark, and text “BP” at three different depth levels
Mid-2010 to mid-2017
- To see genuine color shift feature, click on the video
- Tilt an authentic label to see color shifting bar changing between gold and green
Report counterfeit products
Share information on suspected counterfeit products
Cisco will use the information you provide solely and exclusively to investigate and take action against businesses selling counterfeit products.
The characteristics described on this page do not guarantee authenticity or legitimacy of procurement. While this page provides information that may help identify suspicious products, Cisco will need to analyze the product(s) to make an authenticity determination. Please contact Brand Protection if you have concerns that a product may be counterfeit.
The characteristics described on this page also do not validate whether a product has a valid software license. Cisco's General Terms requires that, for the end user to have a valid license, the end user must have either (1) purchased the product through an Approved Source or (2) had the software on the Cisco product relicensed under the Cisco Software Transfer and Re-Licensing Policy unless an exception applies as described in the above-mentioned policy.