Security seal means a lead and wire seal, or a similar device, attached to a
taximeter to secure the meter against unauthorized access, removal,
or adjustment. Such seals can help to detect theft or contamination,
either accidental and deliberate. Security seals are commonly used to secure
vehicles, chemical drums, airline duty free
trolleys and utility meters. Typically they are considered an inexpensive way
of providing tamper evidence of intrusion into sensitive spaces.
Security seals are not
designed to resolve all security problems. The effectiveness of seals is
strongly dependent on the proper protocols for using them. These protocols are
the official and unofficial procedures used for seal procurement, storage,
record keeping, installation, inspection, removal, disposal, reporting,
interpreting findings, and training. With a good protocol, a modest seal can
provide excellent security.
Security seals can be split into two main groups:
1. single use
2. reusable
Single use seals are typically made of plastic or metal, and the
used material and production technology is the key to their security level.
Reusable seals are usually electronic or mechanical rather than just made from
plastic, and if purely plastic, only one part is reusable. Electronic and
mechanical seals are generally used for the transportation industry, with seal fixed to the
back of trucks,
trailers and shipping containers. A reusable mechanical or
electronic seal can be fitted to the rear or loading doors, extending a cable
from itself through fixing points on the doors, and when sealed generating a
unique number which is logged. When the door is next opened this number changes,
so it provides tamper evidence for the load.
