Practical Lock Picking

Winner of the Best Book Bejtlich Read in 2010--

"Practical Lock Picking (PLP) is an awesome book. I don't provide physical testing services, but as a security professional familiar with Deviant's reputation I was curious to read PLP. Not only is PLP an incredible resource, it should also serve as a model text for others who want to write a good book. First, although the book is less than 250 pages, it is very reasonably priced. Second, Deviant wastes NO space. There is no filler material, background found in other readily available texts, reprinted Web site content, etc. Third, the writing is exceptionally clear and methodical, with extreme attention to detail and a master's approach to educating the reader. Finally, the diagrams, pictures, and figures are superb." --Richard Bejtlich, TaoSecurity

"No matter what your background is, if you want a new and fascinating insight into this world, I don't think any book will give you a better introduction to this field than this one." --Barry Wels, Founder and President, The open Organisation Of Lockpickers

"You have exhausted your budgets on the myriad of high tech cyber threats and finally have time to take a breath. Just as you settle in your chair to review the dashboard which shows the fruits of your tireless effort, an alert hits your phone. The voice on the phone cries out 'The servers are GONE!' This book will show you what happens when attackers decide to 'get physical." --Chris Nickerson, Lares Consulting

"The clear explanation and plentiful diagrams leave the reader with a clear idea of how lock mechanisms work, and the practice exercises that follow build on this knowledge to allow the reader to quickly progress before moving on to the simpler techniques, shimming and bumping...Overall the book does much to dispel the myth that lock-picking is an arcane, difficult art and puts the reader in a position to carry out more effective physical security reviews...In summary this is an excellent practical introduction to the subject and the publishers are to be congratulated for producing another good niche penetration testing book." --Nick Dunn, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

"Deviant’s material is presented with rich, detailed diagrams and is offered in easy-to-follow lessons which allow even beginners to acquire the knowledge very quickly. Everything from straightforward lockpicking to quick-entry techniques like shimming, bumping, and bypassing is explained and show. Whether you’re being hired to penetrate security or simply trying to harden your own defenses, this book is essential." --The Journal of Law Enforcement

"While reading this book, it will be difficult for you to sit calmly and go through it, you will be tempted to look for the locks around your house and start tinkering with it…. What makes this book easy to understand are the clear cut diagrams showing the internal design of locks. You will hardly find a page in this book without those design pictures and all of these are precise engineering-diagram types – not just some random lock pictures. It is very clear that author has taken great efforts to get those pictures right and this is what gives this book 5 star rank!" --SecurityXploded Blog

"There is a well known member of the locksport community called Deviant Ollam He has released a book on lockpicking and penetration testing of locks. Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester's Training Guide [Paperback] This man is an excellent teacher and has given many lectures on locks and picking." --Lockpicking.com

"This is a fantastic book that I highly recommend if you have any interest in physical security. It's a great reference and guide book for getting started with lock picking, learning how locks work, and really motivates you to want to get your hands dirty trying out the techniques covered in the book." --Dark Readings Evil Bytes Blog

"Great book for the beginner or an old pro. Been reading lock picking books for 35 years and this is one of the best... Deviant Ollam, one of the security industry's best-known lock picking teachers, has assembled an instructional manual geared specifically toward penetration testers. Unlike other texts on the subject (which tend to be either massive volumes detailing every conceivable style of lock or brief "spy manuals" that only skim the surface) this book is for INFOSEC professionals that need essential, core knowledge of lock picking and seek the ability to open most locks with relative ease." --e2e Security website

"Be sure to check out his book as well: Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester's Training Guide. The book, published this past July by Syngress, comes with a DVD ‘filled with indispensible lock picking videos and color photos." --The Ethical Hacker website

"Practical Lock Picking is an awesome book… Not only is PLP an incredible resource, it should also serve as a model text for others who want to write a good book… There is no filler material… the writing is exceptionally clear and methodical with extreme attention to detail and a master’s approach to educating the reader… The diagrams, pictures, and figures are superb… Overall, this book is helpful for those wishing to pick locks AND those who want to know how to write a good book." --TaoSecurity blog

"…for those that have locksmithing in their blood, or want to get greater insights, the book will be a great resource that will help them get there." --Slashdot.com and RSA Conference, December 2012