Researchers Prove it’s Possible to Control Prison Systems from the Outside

Feel the need to break someone out of prison? We’re not talking Prison Break here, but real-life. It’s been proven possible, but not in a way you’d expect. A trio of researchers talked about some of their findings at a recent security conference in Miami, and stated that from the outside world, you can access certain prisons online and take over their security systems. Yes, this includes gaining the ability to open the cells.

Credit: Jason Hoover (Flickr)

Even better, the research also proves that it would be possible to open up the cells and have them show up as “closed” within the security software – as in, the software that the guards would be watching with a close eye.

The premise seems unrealistic, but before presenting their findings at the conference, the researchers provided the information to state and federal prison authorities, along with the Department of Homeland Security, and sure enough – all was confirmed. The vulnerabilities exist, though I’m sure not for long.

The best part is that this can be accomplished from outside the prison – essentially anywhere. Though it was also mentioned that equipped with an infected thumb drive, coupled with a bribed security guard, an outside connection is not always required. Though, I’m not too sure many have what it takes to pull off such a stunt from inside a prison.