RF Code introduces Asset Management Tamper Detection Tabs

Recognised as the smallest active RFID tag available, the M174 offers new features for increased asset tracking capabilities including an IR sensor with four receivers for clear signal reception from any direction and superior anti-collision technology for high tag density environments. Adding to the advanced features of the M174 tag, the new tamper tabs - offered in a flag, loop or thumb-screw mounting design - enable an additional layer of visibility to asset management by providing immediate and continued alerting about its tamper status.

“The M174 tag was engineered for reuse over its lifetime. Through the use of a “tag key”, tamper tabs can be removed and replaced as needed from the tag. The tag will immediately beacon an alert if a tab is removed from the tag, pulled off the asset, or if the tab is physically cut,” says Chris Gaskins, vice president of product development for RF Code. “This advancement in asset tracking devices offers a level of asset tracking visibility that has not existed before in the data centre. Accurate real time data about the location of assets is coupled with information that speaks directly to its security status.”

M174 tags with tamper tabs, when mounted to assets, will continuously beacon the status and location of the asset. If the tab is removed or modified in any way the tag immediately and continuously transmits a tamper alert signal, allowing personnel to respond to the incident promptly. The significance of this feature is easily recognised in cases where loss of physical material produces costly results for companies. Examples of such security breaches include an incident with Blue Cross Blue Shield whose loss of 57 disk drives amounted to £11.5 million in fines and where the loss of tapes by the U.S. Department of Defense resulted in a £2.5 billion lawsuit.

“As digital data continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, additional security needs to be adopted to protect private records, adhere to regulations, and prevent theft of intellectual property. Taking the highest measures in protecting data storage hardware is a vital requirement for all businesses,” says Richard Jenkins, vice president of marketing and strategic partnerships.

With over 1,600 incidents of data loss recorded by the Open Security Foundation and DataLossDB, approximately 35% of those incidents were attributed to lost or stolen property. According to a report by KPMG International, a US audit, tax and advisory services firm, over 1 billion people were affected by data loss attacks in the past five years with health care and professional services organisations, which maintain the largest databases of personal information, being responsible for losing the personal details of more than 18 million people.