Active Tamper Detection for Secure Enclosures

Where an organization is trying to protect sensitive equipment, it is common to use lockable/sealable enclosures to limit access to this equipment to those with the necessary access clearance to do so. Such enclosures are typically designed to passively show tampering on their surfaces or locking/sealing mechanisms. While this might be acceptable if the enclosure is located within the organization’s controlled buildings, it becomes more problematic for organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency that installs unattended and surveillance systems in cabinets around the world. Similarly, the US Department of Homeland Security utilizes secure cabinets at border crossings and ports of entry. This paper will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of shifting from passive to active tamper monitoring. The paper will review past attempts to create active tamper monitoring systems and evaluate a range of potential approaches such that enclosures can actively detect tampering, record such an event, and where practical, report the tampering back to the home organization. Design “rules” for active enclosures will be outlined.