The Truth About Electronic Safe Locks, Hacks, and Real-World Security

After an FBI raid involving a safe with a dial lock, people online began questioning how secure safes really are — especially Liberty Safes. Around the same time, software engineers James Rowley and Mark Omo decided to explore the vulnerabilities of the SECURAM ProLogic locks, the primary high end electronic lock Liberty Safe used at the time.

While they didn’t target Liberty directly, they did focus on one of the lock brands Liberty used. What they didn’t do was focus on the same lock that was in question during the FBI raid — a dial lock.

Their consistent reference to the FBI raid and Liberty’s involvement with it has led to an immense amount of confusion and misinformation. Those who are not as well-informed have been quick to believe the lock Rowley and Omo were able to ‘hack’ was the same lock from the FBI raid. It was not.

Furthermore, the conversation never highlights that any trained safe technician can access most safe with minimal effort. Liberty wasn’t going to keep the FBI out of the safe in question or out of the ProLogic that the engineers opened. The FBI was and will get into those safes if they decide to open them. In a lot of instances, they will simply call the fire department to cut the safe open with the jaws of life — effectively turning the safe into an extremely heavy paperweight leaving the owner no way to secure their valuables and left with the task of replacing their destroyed safe. With that being said we believe the decision should ultimately be made by the owner. On the bright side, this led to the entire safe manufacturing industry to revise their policies on combinations to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.

This post covers what happened, how it was misrepresented, and what you (as the user) need to be aware of if security is a top priority.

What the Hackers Actually Did

Over two years, the engineers studied SECURAM locks like the Backlit, Top-Lit, ScanLogic, and ProLogic models. Most of them proved hard to crack. There are three ages of ProLogic, the first design ended in 2016. The second generation was manufactured until 2025. The newest model came out in 2025.

Rowley and Omo used a device known as a “Raspberry Pi” that could connect to the back of the second generation ProLogic manufactured between 2016 - 2025. After being plugged into the lock, the Raspberry Pi could reset the lock’s code or reveal the existing one nearly instantly. The engineers presented these findings at DEF CON (a famous hacker convention).

To make things safer, SECURAM redesigned the ProLogic locks so the black box no longer worked. They also added encryption updates, circuit changes, and security settings that only trained technicians could enable during installation.

Why This Isn’t a “New” Problem

In reality, black-box-type devices have existed for years. Safe technicians already used similar tools for legitimate repairs and service work. The “hack” shown at DEF CON didn’t reveal new secrets to professionals in the safe industry.

The hackers didn’t release software or detailed blueprints to the public, either. SECURAM reportedly issued a cease-and-desist order, and there’s no known way for an average person to replicate the device from their notes.

How Safe Manufacturers Responded

Once the Raspberry Pi was showcased at DEF CON, several lock manufacturers made design changes:

• SECURAM updated the ProLogic to block black-box access.

• Sergeant & Greenleaf (S&G) changed their Titan model in 2018 prior to DEF CON because of the first black box that was developed

• LA GARD and others modified circuit boards, software, programming, etc.... so external modules couldn’t connect. Again, this change was made before the DEF CON incident in response to the black box being developed.

These updates are normal in the lock industry — part of a continuous process of improving security as technology evolves.

The Real Risks: Low for Homeowners, High for Hype

In truth, the odds of someone using a Raspberry Pi or custom hacking tool to open a safe in your home or business are extremely small.

If a criminal is skilled enough to build such a device, they already have other ways to open the safe that can only take a few minutes in some cases. As a master safe technician, I can drill into an electronic safe in under five minutes and leave little to no evidence.

So, while the online buzz made it sound dramatic, most professionals see the real-world risk as “ultra-low.”

Why Layered Security Matters More Than One Lock

Focusing only on the lock ignores the bigger picture. True security is layered. That means using:

• Alarm systems

• Cameras and motion lights

• Strong doors and deadbolts

• Good lighting outside

• Dogs or other deterrents

A safe should be one part of a full-security plan — not the only line of defense.

Mechanical Locks Aren’t Perfect Either

Some people think switching back to mechanical dial locks makes them safer. Not quite. Skilled safecrackers can manipulate dials — listening and feeling for subtle clues to find the combination.

There are even competitions at professional events where experts see who can open a mechanical lock the fastest. Sometimes it takes minutes. In other cases, technicians still prefer drilling because it’s faster and the time to do it is more predictable.

The Industry’s Reality: Every Lock Has Limits

Every major lock brand — SECURAM, S&G, LA GARD, AMSEC, Kaba Mas, NL — has had vulnerabilities exposed at one point or another. Even high-security military locks like the X-10 could theoretically be defeated with enough time and research.

That’s why safe manufacturers regularly update their products and ratings. The goal isn’t “perfect security.” It’s risk management — making sure breaking in is too slow, loud, or difficult to be worth it.

Choosing the Right Lock for You

If you’re shopping for a safe, here’s what really matters:

1. Buy a reputable safe with a UL-listed electronic or mechanical lock.

2. Avoid cheap import safes that use non-UL listed locks — many can be opened with simple tools.

3. Consider your environment: homes, pharmacies, and jewelry stores have different risk levels. We always recommend buying a safe that offers the appropriate level of protection for the value you are storing.

4. Ask about layered protection: alarms, cameras, and lighting can be just as important as the safe itself.

Don’t Simply Assume You Need a Liberty Safe Lock Replacement

The world of safe locks can sound dramatic — full of hacks, black boxes, and secret tools. But for everyday users, these risks are small. What matters most is buying a quality safe, keeping your security layered, and staying informed.

At the end of the day, true protection isn’t about one lock or brand. It’s about understanding your risks and building layers strong enough to keep threats out. That being said, if you want to change your combination or swap your lock, we’re always here to help.