1. A system for authentication of a mark comprising a plurality of taggants, the system comprising: at least one energy source providing energy at at least one wavelength that stimulates the taggants to emit radiation with an intensity versus wavelength distribution; a detection apparatus configured to measure an emitted intensity versus wavelength distribution corresponding to the radiation emitted by the taggants using a device that separates the radiation into a plurality of pre-defined, different wavelengths, and provide at least one output signal corresponding to the emitted intensity versus wavelength distribution, wherein the at least one output signal conveys intensities of the radiation at the plurality of pre-defined, different wavelengths; and a device including a program that performs a multivariate statistical analysis of the at least one output signal to enable a determination of authenticity of the mark based on a measurement statistic and a predetermined statistical confidence limit, wherein authenticity is designated to be within the limit, and an outlier outside the limit is designated as a counterfeit.