Vulnerability Assessment Team (VAT)
Seals
Common Myths
The following statements are NOT true. Contact the VAT if you don't know why.
- There is such thing as a "tamper-proof" seal.
FALSE - Only experts can easily defeat a seal.
FALSE - Since all seals can be defeated, seals have no value in providing
security.
FALSE - A vulnerability assessment of an effective seal or tamper detection
program should find no problems.
FALSE - The best seals can withstand thousands of pounds of force.
FALSE - High-tech seals are harder to defeat than low-tech seals.
FALSE - High-tech seals and/or seals that have electronic readers don't require manual inspection.
FALSE - The more expensive a seal, the better security it provides.
FALSE - The only important issues in choosing a seal are its unit cost and whether it has been "certified" or "tested."
FALSE - A good seal requires little effort or training to use.
FALSE - A seal that is good for one application is good for another.
FALSE
Using low-tech techniques (a mirror and a sword) Perseus defeated the supposedly invulnerable Medusa. If Medusa had done a proper vulnerability assessment, she might not have lost her head.
Contact:
Roger Johnston, Section
Manager
National
Security and Non-proliferation Department
Vulnerability Assessments Section
Fax: +1 630-252-7323



