1. A device for identifying an asset, the device comprising a piece of material having predetermined physical properties, the piece of material being adapted to be irreversibly attached to the asset, a stimulation and measurement unit attached to the piece of material, the stimulation and measurement unit being adapted to apply a predetermined stimulation to the piece of material and to measure a corresponding response from the piece of material, an analysis unit adapted to analyze the measured response from the piece of material, and a communication unit adapted to output data representative of the analysis of the measured response.