Relabeling is the practice of changing labels, documentation, or packaging to make hardware appear to be something else. In cyber security and supply-chain security, it is a concealment tactic used to hide the true identity, model, capability, destination, or ownership of devices such as servers, storage systems, or AI chips.
This matters because security controls often rely on trusted paperwork and provenance. If a restricted or high-value component is relabeled, it may bypass export checks, procurement rules, warranty tracking, or internal asset controls. In real-world abuse, relabeling can be combined with false invoices, altered serial numbers, or misleading shipping manifests to mask the movement of controlled goods. Defenders look for mismatches between physical markings, serial databases, customs records, and routing details, since inconsistencies can reveal fraud or diversion even when the hardware itself is not modified.