A surgical system, comprising: a packaging comprising a first RFID tag, wherein said first RFID tag comprises a first set of encrypted information; a surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate shaft; and an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector comprises: a first jaw; and a second jaw; a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in said first jaw, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge is stored in the packaging prior to being seated in said first jaw, and wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises: a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck; staples removably stored in said cartridge body; a sled configured to drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke; and a second RFID tag (31560a, 31560b) comprising a second set of encrypted information; a retainer releasably attached to said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said retainer extends over said cartridge deck, and wherein said retainer comprises a third RFID tag comprising a third set of encrypted information; an RFID scanner configured to receive said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information, and said third set of encrypted information; and a controller configured to perform a decryption protocol, wherein said controller comprises a first internal key, wherein said controller uses said first internal key to decrypt said first set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a second internal key if said first set of encrypted information is recognized by said controller, wherein said controller uses said second internal key to decrypt said second set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a third internal key if said second set of encrypted information is recognized by said controller, wherein said controller uses said third internal key to decrypt said third set of encrypted information, and wherein said controller prevents said surgical instrument from performing the staple firing stroke if at least one of said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information, and said third set of encrypted information is unable to be recognized. a packaging comprising a first RFID tag, wherein said first RFID tag comprises a first set of encrypted information; a surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate shaft; and an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector comprises: a first jaw; and a second jaw; an elongate shaft; and an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector comprises: a first jaw; and a second jaw; a first jaw; and a second jaw; a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in said first jaw, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge is stored in the packaging prior to being seated in said first jaw, and wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises: a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck; staples removably stored in said cartridge body; a sled configured to drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke; and a second RFID tag (31560a, 31560b) comprising a second set of encrypted information; a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck; staples removably stored in said cartridge body; a sled configured to drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke; and a second RFID tag (31560a, 31560b) comprising a second set of encrypted information; a retainer releasably attached to said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said retainer extends over said cartridge deck, and wherein said retainer comprises a third RFID tag comprising a third set of encrypted information; an RFID scanner configured to receive said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information, and said third set of encrypted information; and a controller configured to perform a decryption protocol, wherein said controller comprises a first internal key, wherein said controller uses said first internal key to decrypt said first set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a second internal key if said first set of encrypted information is recognized by said controller, wherein said controller uses said second internal key to decrypt said second set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a third internal key if said second set of encrypted information is recognized by said controller, wherein said controller uses said third internal key to decrypt said third set of encrypted information, and wherein said controller prevents said surgical instrument from performing the staple firing stroke if at least one of said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information, and said third set of encrypted information is unable to be recognized.