IIT INDORE’S DNA WATERMARKING BREAKTHROUGH: WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESSES

INTRODUCTION

In an era where global semiconductor design chains involve multiple players, from IP vendors to system-on-chip integrators and third-party manufacturers, hardware intellectual property (IP) piracy has become an alarming issue. Unauthorized copying, false ownership claims, and insertion of malicious logic into hardware are serious concerns not only for companies but also for the safety and trust of end users.

To counter this challenge, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore) have taken a major leap in hardware cybersecurity. A team led by Professor Anirban Sengupta and Translational Research Fellow Aditya Anshul has developed a cutting-edge technology that introduces DNA watermarking into chip design. This groundbreaking solution is made to redefine the way designers protect their creations in the global semiconductor ecosystem.

The innovation was recently published in the prestigious journal Nature Scientific Reports titled, “Biomimicking DNA Fingerprint Profiling for HLS Watermarking to Counter Hardware IP Piracy.” The research not only showcases the academic excellence of IIT Indore research but also underlines its real-world applicability in industries like multimedia, medical technology, machine learning, and digital signal processing.

THE GROWING THREAT OF HARDWARE IP PIRACY

Hardware IP piracy has become a serious concern due to the complexity of global design chains. Numerous stakeholders across continents are involved in developing and manufacturing a single chip. In such an interconnected ecosystem, the risk of theft or unauthorized modifications is exceptionally high.

Often, pirated hardware designs can carry harmful logic or hidden vulnerabilities, which may evade traditional quality control methods. These hidden flaws can lead to system failures, data breaches, or even sabotage in critical applications such as medical devices or defence technology.

Given the strategic and commercial value of semiconductor IP, the importance of securing such designs is paramount. In this context, the IIT Indore research initiative brings an innovative and highly promising solution to the forefront.

DNA WATERMARKING

Drawing inspiration from biology, the researchers developed a watermarking method that uses DNA fingerprinting as the foundational concept. Termed as DNA watermarking, this technique mimics how DNA sequences in living organisms are uniquely identifiable. The system creates a unique, vendor-specific digital watermark by generating a DNA-like sequence, which is then secretly embedded into the hardware design using computer-aided design (CAD) tools.

“The watermarking method works by fragmenting DNA-like sequences, replicating them, and fusing them to create a highly unique DNA signature. This signature is then secretly embedded into the hardware design,” the research team noted.

The embedded DNA signature serves as an invisible yet powerful proof of ownership, which can be verified later to resolve disputes, trace misuse, or validate authenticity. Importantly, this solution offers a secure method to protect against false ownership claims, a growing menace in the intellectual property domain.

By enabling designers to embed a unique identity into their chip designs, this technique addresses the rising need for DNA watermarking for businesses looking to secure their proprietary hardware IP.

TMWala, as a platform specializing in trademark protection, advisory, and IP portfolio management, can assist businesses in documenting, registering, and enforcing rights over watermark-enhanced IP.

A WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS

The robustness of this DNA-based watermarking system allows it to be implemented across various high-impact domains. These include:

• Image processing systems
• JPEG-CODECs
• CNN-based machine learning accelerators
• QRS detectors for ECG monitoring
• Cardiac pacemakers
• Digital signal processing (DSP) units, including FIR filters, DCT, and FFT processors

These are not just academic applications; these are real-world use cases where integrity, safety, and authenticity are non-negotiable. Embedding DNA watermarks in such systems ensures that they originate from genuine IP vendors, significantly reducing the risk of manipulation or counterfeiting during manufacturing or integration.

WHY DNA AND NOT TRADITIONAL WATERMARKS?

Traditional watermarking methods often involve inserting identifiable patterns or metadata into designs. However, these can sometimes be detected, reverse-engineered, or even removed by attackers.

DNA watermarking, by contrast, operates at a much deeper and more intricate level. It mirrors biological complexity, making it exceedingly difficult to trace or tamper with. Just as each human has a unique DNA profile, each watermark generated under this system is highly specific to the vendor and the design. This enhances not just security but also traceability.

Furthermore, this innovation touches upon emerging areas such as DNA data storage, where information is encoded into biological formats for long-term, ultradense storage. The convergence of biotechnology with chip design signals a new wave of interdisciplinary security innovations.

A NEW MILESTONE FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDIA

This breakthrough from IIT Indore marks a significant contribution to intellectual property in India, an area that is becoming increasingly crucial for technological sovereignty and global competitiveness.

As countries push for stronger local semiconductor ecosystems, protecting the IP developed within national borders is critical. Innovations such as this make it harder for IP theft to go unnoticed and easier for rightful owners to assert and prove ownership both legally and technically.

This is especially relevant in light of India’s growing ambitions in semiconductor manufacturing and design under various national missions and public and private partnerships.

TMWala offers IP protection audits, ensuring that companies developing advanced technologies like DNA watermarked chips are not only technically secure but also legally fortified.

ALIGNING WITH BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN INDIA

The innovation also builds a bridge between the fields of VLSI design and biotechnology research institutes in India. By using biological principles in chip-level security, the project exemplifies how interdisciplinary collaboration can yield groundbreaking solutions to persistent problems.

The success of this project demonstrates the potential for more collaborative efforts between engineering institutions like IITs and life sciences institutes to tackle pressing cybersecurity challenges.

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP

Commenting on the achievement, Prof. Suhas Joshi, Director, IIT Indore, stated:

“This groundbreaking innovation from IIT Indore reflects our commitment to addressing real-world challenges through deep-tech research. Protecting intellectual property in the semiconductor industry is vital for national security and global trust, and this work represents a significant step in that direction.”

Prof. Anirban Sengupta, the Principal Investigator of the project, added:

“Our DNA-based watermarking technology brings a novel layer of cybersecurity to hardware IPs by ensuring that each design carries a unique and verifiable identity. This advancement empowers IP vendors and designers to safeguard their innovations against piracy and misuse across the global semiconductor ecosystem.”

These comments reflect a broader institutional commitment to high-impact research and innovation with global relevance. To know more, visit Article-29.pdf

THE ROAD AHEAD

While the technology is still in its early stages of deployment, its potential applications are vast. From chip design firms to government defence contractors, the ability to secure hardware IP using biologically inspired techniques offers an invaluable tool.

Moreover, with the rise of AI and IoT, where devices are increasingly embedded with complex chips, ensuring hardware-level security is more critical than ever. Techniques like DNA watermarking for businesses will play an essential role in preserving innovation, safety, and trust.

As industries and governments alike look to build more resilient and secure tech ecosystems, such as IIT Indore, research provides a much-needed solution for one of the semiconductor industry’s most urgent problems.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the DNA-based watermarking technology developed at IIT Indore represents a paradigm shift in the protection of hardware intellectual property. By drawing from the natural world and adapting it to modern security challenges, this innovation not only secures chip designs but also sets a new benchmark for intellectual property in India.

This development is a testament to the possibilities that emerge when deep-tech research meets real-world needs. It highlights the critical role that biotechnology research institutes in India and technical universities can play together in shaping the future of cybersecurity, IP protection, and global technology trust.

As we look to the future of secure innovation, platforms like TMWala will remain crucial allies, helping businesses not only protect what they build but also ensuring they have the legal muscle to stand against piracy and theft in an increasingly connected world.