A new security threat has emerged that could impact millions of hotel rooms worldwide, as reported by Wired. Hackers have identified a vulnerability in keycard locks that could compromise the safety of guests and hotel infrastructure.

Ian Carroll, Lennert Wouters, and a team of researchers have uncovered this issue, known as “Unsaflok,” highlighting the potential risks to hospitality establishments. This discovery was made during a private event in Las Vegas where security experts were tasked with hacking into various hotel room devices, including door locks.

The researchers focused on vulnerabilities in Saflok-brand RFID-based keycard locks and successfully demonstrated a method to open doors in seconds using minimal equipment. By exploiting weaknesses in encryption and RFID systems utilized by Dormakaba’s Saflok locks, they were able to replicate keycards effectively.

Despite efforts by Dormakaba to address the vulnerability by informing affected hotels and providing solutions, a significant number of Saflok systems remain at risk. This poses a serious security concern for hotels globally.

It is crucial for hotel guests to be aware of these risks associated with vulnerable locks. Guests are advised to stay vigilant, avoid leaving valuables unattended, and consider using additional door security measures to protect themselves.

While the full extent of past exploits is uncertain, researchers believe that this vulnerability may have existed for years. This underscores the importance of implementing proactive security measures within the hospitality industry to prevent potential breaches.

With only a fraction of locks updated so far, millions of hotels are still susceptible to exploitation. It is essential for hotels to prioritize updating their security systems to safeguard their guests and assets effectively.