MAKER: Call a 3D Locksmith – How 3D Printing can Defeat Physical Security

Byron Doyle; Colby Goettel; Lane Broadbent; Dale C Rowe

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Seattle, Washington
Publication Date: June 14, 2015
Start Date: June 14, 2015
End Date: June 17, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-692-50180-1
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Make It!
Tagged Division: Manufacturing
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 10
Page Numbers: 26.1113.1 - 26.1113.10
DOI: 10.18260/p.24450
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/24450
Download Count: 774

Request a correction

Paper Authors

biography

Byron Doyle Brigham Young University

visit author page

Doyle is a recent graduate of Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's of Science in Information Technology, emphasizing Cyber Security. He currently works as a Security Analyst at Vivint.

visit author page

author page

Dr. Rowe has worked for nearly two decades in security and network architecture with a variety of industries in international companies. He has provided secure enterprise architecture on both military and commercial satellite communications systems. He has also advised and trained both national and international governments on cyber-security.
Since joining Brigham Young University in 2010, he has designed a variety of courses on information assurance, cybersecurity, penetration testing, cyber forensics, malware analysis and systems administration and published over a dozen papers in cybersecurity.

visit author page

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

Call a 3D Locksmith – How 3D Printing can Defeat Physical SecurityPhysical security analysts have always sought to overcome challenges in security infrastructureusing novel approaches and new technology. One of these challenges is preset, mechanical lockmechanisms. 3D printing technology provides a valuable tool for those interested in attacking orbypassing high-security locks. This technology can allow such practitioners to create key blanksor replicas from key data such as physical key measurements or photographic evidence.Preset, mechanical locks are generally vulnerable to a variety of attacks, but due to the enormityof designs and technologies in the world today, each lock typically requires a diﬀerent techniqueto exploit or bypass. For example, simple pin and wafer locks can be picked with moderate skill,but more complicated locks with sidebar mechanisms make picking impractical withoutspecialized tools and a high degree of skill. These factors and more must be recognized byinformation security practitioners because physical access controls for sensitive infrastructure arejust as important as logical access controls. No amount of digital security is enough if attackerscan bypass the physical security and gain direct access to hardware.Impressioning is a common lock picking technique that allows an attacker to create a copy of thekey for the target lock. However, it requires skill and key blanks speciﬁc to the target lock type.Another option is to have the key copied, but there are countermeasures in place to make thisdiﬃcult. These countermeasures include controlling the key blanks and cutting facilities forhigh-security locks. Additionally, it is inherently diﬃcult to obtain the ‘bitting’ of the originalkey.3D printing can make all of these attacks more eﬀective, increasing the risk that high-securitylocks may be circumvented. To understand how these manufacturing techniques can be used, afew methods of 3D printing will ﬁrst be discussed, including their beneﬁts and drawbacks. Next,some popular attacks on preset, mechanical lock systems will be examined. Finally, the twoapproaches will be combined to understand how 3D printing technology can enhance lockpicking high-security locks.

Citation
Format

Doyle, B., & Goettel, C., & Broadbent, L., & Rowe, D. C. (2015, June), MAKER: Call a 3D Locksmith – How 3D Printing can Defeat Physical Security Paper presented at 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/p.24450

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                                     Call a 3D Locksmith –                     How 3D Printing can Defeat Physical SecurityPhysical security analysts have always sought to overcome challenges in security infrastructureusing novel approaches and new technology. One of these challenges is preset, mechanical lockmechanisms. 3D printing technology provides a valuable tool for those interested in attacking orbypassing high-security locks. This technology can allow such practitioners to create key blanksor replicas from key data such as physical key measurements or photographic evidence.Preset, mechanical locks are generally vulnerable to a variety of attacks, but due to the enormityof designs and technologies in the world today, each lock typically requires a diﬀerent techniqueto exploit or bypass. For example, simple pin and wafer locks can be picked with moderate skill,but more complicated locks with sidebar mechanisms make picking impractical withoutspecialized tools and a high degree of skill. These factors and more must be recognized byinformation security practitioners because physical access controls for sensitive infrastructure arejust as important as logical access controls. No amount of digital security is enough if attackerscan bypass the physical security and gain direct access to hardware.Impressioning is a common lock picking technique that allows an attacker to create a copy of thekey for the target lock. However, it requires skill and key blanks speciﬁc to the target lock type.Another option is to have the key copied, but there are countermeasures in place to make thisdiﬃcult. These countermeasures include controlling the key blanks and cutting facilities forhigh-security locks. Additionally, it is inherently diﬃcult to obtain the ‘bitting’ of the originalkey.3D printing can make all of these attacks more eﬀective, increasing the risk that high-securitylocks may be circumvented. To understand how these manufacturing techniques can be used, afew methods of 3D printing will ﬁrst be discussed, including their beneﬁts and drawbacks. Next,some popular attacks on preset, mechanical lock systems will be examined. Finally, the twoapproaches will be combined to understand how 3D printing technology can enhance lockpicking high-security locks.
AU  - Byron Doyle
AU  - Colby Goettel
AU  - Lane Broadbent
AU  - Dale C Rowe
CY  - Seattle, Washington
DA  - 2015/06/14
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - MAKER: Call a 3D Locksmith – How 3D Printing can Defeat Physical Security
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/24450
DO  - 10.18260/p.24450
ER  -