Recently, Home Depot in the US has announced that it will be trialling a new security measure to prevent power tool theft from their stores. What challenges do shop security systems present, what is Home Depot experimenting with, and is it a good idea?

What challenges do shop security systems face?

If the world was ideal, there would be no need for security guards or tags on products in shops as no one would ever steal anything. We wouldn’t need encryption in the same world as no one would be trying to steal or intercept messages, and we could have debit cards with no pin numbers.

Of course, the real world is cruel, unforgiving, and unhelpful at the best of times, and valuable items will always be the target of criminals. Power tools are commonly stolen from shops worldwide due to their high value, small size, and practicality. Furthermore, they are easy to sell on as there will always be those who are happy to get power tools from the back of a van at a discount price.

Trying to prevent such tools from being stolen can present multiple challenges as these items generally need to be put on display. Furthermore, these display items should also be fully functional and allow customers to handle and feel as power tools are an extension to one’s own hand; the wrong grip or feel can make or break a power tool. If anything, a power tool is a serious investment which is why so many builders will pay absurdly large amounts of money for them and their accessories.

Therefore, shops have to be careful about protecting their products to prevent dissuading customers from purchasing. One method is to use RFID tags that trigger security barriers at the entrances of shops. While this is practical for DVD cases and other small items, they can be peeled off with relative ease. Another method is to use more advanced electronic systems that wrap cables around a product box, but these are not practical for power tools on display. Products can also be tied to a chain, but even these can be broken with ease.

Home Depot to experiment with Bluetooth

Recently, Home Depot decided that the significant losses from theft of power tools have to be stopped, especially after a Florida man early in 2021 was found with more than $17,000 of stolen power tools. To try and fight against power tool theft, Home Depot will be integrating a Bluetooth lock system into power tools that will prevent them from turning on. If a tool is purchased legally, the purchase counter can unlock the device via Bluetooth, but stolen tools will not function.

It is believed that these security measures will dissuade people from stealing power tools as well as helping to track down stolen items (as stolen items will not power up). Home Depot will also be expanding the Bluetooth locking mechanism to other high-value products such as Smart Home devices.

Besides making it difficult to use stolen equipment, the use of Bluetooth locking also prevents the need to hold high-valued items on locked shelves. This further helps stores by reducing the security needed as stolen items will not function, thus removing any incentive to steal.

Are Bluetooth locking devices a good idea?

Simply put, the answer is no. Bluetooth locking systems are a terrible idea for many reasons relating to privacy, functionality, price, and security.

To start, Bluetooth is not the securest platform, and it would be hardly surprising if a dedicated hacker cracked the locking mechanism to allow users to unlock the stolen devices. Not only would this defeat the purpose of the locking mechanism, but the hacker could reverse the means to lock devices by genuine owners in a bid to control their devices.

The second reason why Bluetooth locking is such a bad idea is that such a device could encourage subscription models. Simply put, a company could use a device to prevent operation if the user doesn’t also subscribe to their services. While this may make sense for software packages, subscribing to use hardware that has been purchased is arguably unfair.

The third reason why using such a locking device is a bad idea is that it could provide hackers with more than just the ability to control the device. How the device is developed and integrated may provide access to other onboard systems, including the main processor and memory. This would allow an attacker to access sensitive information, the local network, and the central router.