The ISL6296 is a highly cost-effective fixed-secret hash engine based on Intersil's FlexiHashTM technology. The device authentication is achieved through a challengeresponse scheme customized for low-cost applications, where cloning via eavesdropping without knowledge of the device's secret code is not economically viable. When used for its intended applications, the ISL6296 offers the same level of effectiveness as other significantly more expensive high maintenance monetary-grade hash algorithm and authentication schemes.