An apparatus is provided for validating a device. The apparatus includes a first integrated circuit which is configured to generate a random number, reference information using the random number and a secret key. A control system is configured to: receive the random number and the reference information from the first integrated circuit, receive validation information from a second integrated circuit positioned on the device whereby the validation information is generated by the second integrated circuit using the random number and the secret key, and compare the reference and validation information received from the integrated circuits to validate the device.