A method for authenticating parts of and storing data related to a surgical instrument, which comprises: connecting a surgical stapling end effector to a distal end of a handle of the surgical instrument, the handle having a removable power supply for powering the surgical instrument; the end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving an interchangeable staple cartridge; and the handle having a removable power supply for powering the surgical instrument; electrically connecting an authentication controller within the handle to the receiving portion of the end effector; removably placing an interchangeable staple cartridge at the receiving portion; cryptographically authenticating the staple cartridge with the authentication controller when the staple cartridge is seated in the end effector, wherein a 1-wire first encryption chip having a first secured memory is provided at the staple cartridge and is electrically connected to the authentication controller and powered by the power supply when the staple cartridge is seated in the end effector, wherein the 1-wire first encryption chip: is powered by the power supply through the one wire; and receives data from and transmits data to the authentication controller through the one wire; a second encryption chip having a second secured memory is provided at the authentication controller; and in an encrypted exchange between the first and the second encryption chips, an encrypted authentication algorithm is executed to authenticate the staple cartridge; after authenticating the interchangeable staple cartridge, permitting - the interchangeable staple cartridge to be used with the end effector; and in the event of an operational failure of the interchangeable staple cartridge, storing data associated with the operational failure in the first secured memory. connecting a surgical stapling end effector to a distal end of a handle of the surgical instrument, the handle having a removable power supply for powering the surgical instrument; the end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving an interchangeable staple cartridge; and the handle having a removable power supply for powering the surgical instrument; the end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving an interchangeable staple cartridge; and the handle having a removable power supply for powering the surgical instrument; electrically connecting an authentication controller within the handle to the receiving portion of the end effector; removably placing an interchangeable staple cartridge at the receiving portion; cryptographically authenticating the staple cartridge with the authentication controller when the staple cartridge is seated in the end effector, wherein a 1-wire first encryption chip having a first secured memory is provided at the staple cartridge and is electrically connected to the authentication controller and powered by the power supply when the staple cartridge is seated in the end effector, wherein the 1-wire first encryption chip: is powered by the power supply through the one wire; and receives data from and transmits data to the authentication controller through the one wire; a second encryption chip having a second secured memory is provided at the authentication controller; and in an encrypted exchange between the first and the second encryption chips, an encrypted authentication algorithm is executed to authenticate the staple cartridge; a 1-wire first encryption chip having a first secured memory is provided at the staple cartridge and is electrically connected to the authentication controller and powered by the power supply when the staple cartridge is seated in the end effector, wherein the 1-wire first encryption chip: is powered by the power supply through the one wire; and receives data from and transmits data to the authentication controller through the one wire; is powered by the power supply through the one wire; and receives data from and transmits data to the authentication controller through the one wire; a second encryption chip having a second secured memory is provided at the authentication controller; and in an encrypted exchange between the first and the second encryption chips, an encrypted authentication algorithm is executed to authenticate the staple cartridge; after authenticating the interchangeable staple cartridge, permitting - the interchangeable staple cartridge to be used with the end effector; and in the event of an operational failure of the interchangeable staple cartridge, storing data associated with the operational failure in the first secured memory.