The Security Screw Problem

The security screw problem is not with the security screws, it is with the tamperproof security keys. 100,000’s of tamper-resistant screw keys placed in circulation by retailers and wholesalers which make tamper-resistant screws ineffective for most security applications. Almost every security screw made is vulnerable.

This was not always the case. Once upon a time the security keys were made by one American manufacturer, making them scarce and very hard to get. Traditional security screws got the name “tamper-proof” because they were tamperproof. As tamper proof screws became more popular, more bit manufacturers added security bits to their line. Since all patents had expired, the security bits could be sold to anyone yet extra drilling and inventory still made tamperproof bits expensive.

Security screws soon lost their legal ability to use the word “tamperproof” because the screws were only "tamper resistant" due to the market being flooded with bits. The proliferation of the tamperproof bits had degraded the security. Bit manufacturing moved offshore beginning 15 years ago (there are almost no American manufacturers now). Tamper-proof bit manufacturing exploded and most every security bit began showing up in retail stores, often in kits. Tamperproof screws degenerated from tamper-resistant to vandal-resistant. Today any thief can get security bits easily, at a very reasonable price. This is the security screw problem. Most security screws are not secure!

Bryce Fastener has been working on security solutions for the last 10 years it is not afraid to sound the alarm: If you use traditional security screws you have a security problem!

Alarming Stories
Because Bryce Fastener has been a security screw specialist for 25 years, we have been exposed to the alarming stories where security screws have been compromised. Here are some:

• Prisoners were hiding drugs and knives behind wall plates. They had the security bits, the guards did not. Bryce Fastener sold security bits to the prison and now the guards have the bits and the prisoners do not!
• $20,000.00 worth of digital light projectors were taken from a university over a weekend secured with regular security screws. Bryce supplied Keyed-Lok screws and no thefts have occurred in the last three years.
• Stereos secured with traditional security screws were taken from a retail store. The store sold security bits and the thieves stole the bits to make the heist. Our screws were experimented with and finally used through the whole chain.
• $40,000.00 worth of computers were stolen from a hospital, and much important data was lost. Our Keyed-Lok was implemented to halt future loss.
• White Sands nuclear facility was losing secrets. Our security screws now secure it.
• A cable TV company in South America began with a 2000 screw order 4 years ago to secure problem boxes placed on public sidewalks. The have repeatedly ordered since over 2,000,000 screws for additional usages.
• Government license plates came up missing in Michigan after 9/11. Due to budget constraints the government did not implement Key-Rex, and the thefts continue.
• A lottery company found that the machines were being compromised and payouts too big. Our screws now secure them and the machines are no longer compromised.
• ATM machines secured with regular security screws were taken. Our screws were ordered to replace them, and the thefts have ceased.
• Police license plates were stolen. Our screws now secure them and the plates are no longer stolen.
• One of the biggest internet companies ordered our products before it went public. It keeps on ordering them

The Alarm is as big as the risk. When someone can walk into a small town hardware store and buy security bits, tamperproof screw users should be alarmed.

Problem security screws.
The following are a list of the problem security screws. An inventory of a tamper-proof screwdriver kit bought in the most popular retail hardware store in America had these security bits: Torx®-pin, Six lobe-pin, Hex-pin, Allen®-pin, drilled spanner, Triwing®. Other kits have Phillps®-pin. One contractor supply kit had square-drive with a hole. One way removal tools are available.

If you are using any of these styles of tamper-resistant screws be aware that they have limited security.