Hy-Com Communications Ltd.
Why Use Tamper Resistant and Tamperproof Fasteners?
Consider...
- Often all that is needed to prevent a theft is to present a challenge to the thief that cannot be overcome in a minute or less.
- The cost of a tamperproof screw is negligible compared to the cost of replacing stolen equipment.
- The cost of a tamperproof screw is negligible compared to the costs associated with the loss of productivity of a vehicle and its operator, or similar, until the equipment is replaced. In other words, you have a piece of equipment for a reason, and until it is replaced, the loss will have an impact on your business.
- The cost of a tamperproof screw is negligible compared to the cost of a lawsuit which may arise if a piece of equipment is missing or damaged when it is needed.
- The cost of a tamperproof screw is negligible compared to the costs associated with the compromising of confidential programming in the radio or the loss of confidential information on a computer.
- The cost of a tamperproof screw is negligible compared to the cost associated with deactivating system access for a stolen radio.
- Using a tamperproof screw will enhance inventory control, preventing employees from moving equipment around, etc. without authorization. (Moving equipment around without proper record keeping can make the previous point a real headache. Which radio was stolen?)
- Using a tamperproof screw can significantly enhance equipment safety with intrinsically safe equipment, such as by preventing the removal of a hand mike by the user under unsafe conditions. Also, the intrinsically safe rating will generally require that the accessory or the cover is in place.
- The continuous removing and attaching of accessories may cause problems. Breaking the thumb screws or stripping the threads can lead to very expensive repairs. The simple solution is to make it very difficult to remove the accessories by using a tamperproof screw.
- Using a tamperproof screw can prevent problems such as rusting contacts, dust and water ingress or contact wear if the accessories or covers are kept firmly in place. Removing these can uncover contacts or jacks normally protected by the accessory plug or a proper cover.
- The labor cost to obtain or to attach a screw is most likely greater than the cost of the screw itself.
However...
- In spite of making tamperproof fasteners in very difficult to remove configurations such as button head or countersunk, the security is not absolute. They can for example still be drilled out or ground off, depending on the choice of material used. This can be partly overcome by making the screws difficult to access. Hardened versions of the screws are available which will make drilling very difficult.
- The use of tamperproof fasteners can be counterproductive. If the thief is determined to have the equipment, it may now be easier to steal the vehicle and remove the equipment later. Similarly, to obtain the equipment, the thief may now demolish the whole dashboard to remove the equipment.
- Security of the vehicle or site itself is as important as the mounting of the equipment.
- The use of tamperproof fasteners must be done intelligently. It makes little sense to securely mount a radio to a part of the vehicle that can itself be removed with a screwdriver or socket set in a minute or so, or to a plastic panel that can easily be broken.