Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{204869,
        author = {Varad Bedekar and Sanket Nikam and Rutik Shelke},
        title = {Design and Implementation of Digital Locker System using AES},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {4793-4801},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=204869},
        abstract = {In today’s digital world, digital locker systems are rapidly being used across all environments, from small residential complexes to hotels, restaurants, banks, and large institutions. Yet, the conventional design of such systems makes them defenseless and vulnerable due to plaintext PIN storage, weak authentication algorithms, and a lack of tamper detection and alert mechanisms. This work presents a secure microcontroller-based digital locker system that comprises AES-128 encryption, GSM module-backed tamper alert communication, sensor-based tamper detection features, and OTP validation to reset the workflow. The system is built using an ESP32 microcontroller, which is highly capable of executing encryption and decryption operations, as well as managing and communicating with peripheral devices. It features a 4x4 keypad that serves as a user interface to set up the system and input the PIN, which is then encrypted and stored securely. A tilt sensor connected to the ESP32 monitors for physical tampering and, when detected, sends an alert via the GSM module. The system also includes an OTP-based reset mechanism, improving security by ensuring that PIN reconfiguration occurs only by an authenticated and verified user. The prototype includes a servo motor that demonstrates the locking and unlocking mechanism. The proposed system offers a robust solution for secure storage applications, with potential extensions including biometric authentication, cloud event logging, and multi-sensor intrusion analysis.},
        keywords = {AES-128 encryption, Digital locker, ESP32 microcontroller, GSM module, OTP validation, Tamper detection.},
        month = {June},
        }