TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Automatic Peripheral Device Disconnection

A deployable LANL-developed capability for automatic USB control in secure computing environments

In high-security and classified environments, webcams and similar USB peripherals pose ongoing privacy and security risks. When left connected, these devices can remain powered and exposed, even after meetings end, introducing the potential for unintended surveillance or exploitation.

To address this, LANL has developed a compact hardware-based capability that automatically disconnects USB devices when no longer in use. By monitoring real-time power draw, the system identifies idle states and enforces a physical disconnection, eliminating reliance on manual intervention or software safeguards.

Advantages:

• Automatically disconnects USB webcams and peripherals with no user input
• Adapts in real time to different devices using a dynamic cutoff threshold
• Prevents false disconnects through onboard hysteresis filtering
• Provides a hardware-level status indicator immune to software tampering
• Eliminates reliance on operating system permissions or manual disconnects
• Reduces the risk of security violations in classified or sensitive environments
• Functions as a standalone drop-in with no software dependencies

Market Applications:

This capability supports organizations that require continuous enforcement of visual privacy and data protection at the hardware level.
Potential uses include:
• Government and defense workstations enforcing classified conferencing security
• Critical infrastructure operators managing restricted-access environments
• Telehealth systems requiring automated privacy controls for HIPAA compliance
• Enterprise IT environments seeking to reduce data exposure risk from webcams
• Security-conscious end users in financial, legal, or research roles

Development Status: TRL 5

US Patent Pending

LA-UR-25-28988

LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential

Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.

LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact licensing@lanl.gov.

Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.

https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology

https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/tech-and-capability-search