Physical security and tamper-indicating devices

Conference · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:459707

Johnston, R G; Garcia, A R.E.

Computer systems, electronic communications, digital data, and computer storage media are often highly vulnerable to physical tampering. Tamper-indicating devices, also called security seals, are widely used to detect physical tampering or unauthorized access. We studied 94 different security seals, both passive and electronic, developed either commercially or by the US government. Most of these seals are in wide-spread use, including for critical applications. We learned how to defeat all 94 seals using rapid, inexpensive, low-tech methods. Cost was not a good predictor of seal security. It appears to us that many of these seals can be dramatically improved with minor, low-cost modifications to either the seal or the use protocol.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 459707
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--96-3827; CONF-970574--1; ON: DE97002349
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
COMPUTERS
COST
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
HUMAN INTRUSION
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MEMORY DEVICES
MODIFICATIONS
PHYSICAL PROTECTION
SECURITY
SECURITY SEALS
VULNERABILITY