Security Briefings

They’re no longer just for top-secret government facilities in action movies. Electronic locks are becoming a more frequent option for regular companies and even residential homes. While they can be controlled individually with an attached control assembly, most electric locks are integrated with a home alarm or security system.There are a few different types of electric locks. Magnetic locks are made up of an electro-magnet on the door frame and an armature on the door. Mag locks fall under strict controls by fire marshals, and must allow people to exit easily in the case of emergencies. Electric strikes (electric latch release) locks replace the standard strike on the door frame (where the bolt slides into). They are meant to be easy replacements, but sometimes require extra modifications. Electric mortise and cylindrical locks are also simple replacements for door-mounted locks, but power wires must be allowed to travel through a hole in the door. Electrified exit hardware, far from being the booby trap that it sounds like, is a special type of hardware used in fire exit situations. This hardware must be rigorously tested and maintained, and is difficult to install.Entry through an electronic lock can take a variety of forms. The most common by far is a numerical code/password/passphrase. These are entered on a keypad and are usually short, between 4 and 6 characters long. Security tokens are also common entry methods, especially at businesses. A user is issued a smart card or ID badge which enables them access into the building. In some cases, a PDA can store an infrared code that also serves as a security token. Biometrics refers to the use of physical or behavioral traits in identification. This can include a retinal scan, voiceprint, or fingerprint scan (remember when the action hero drags the security guard’s hand with him to the scanner?). An especially recent use in electronic locks is radio-frequency identification, which uses an RFID tag to track users.Ultimately, you’ll have to decide if an electronic lock is right for you. There are many options to choose fromchances are you’ll find one that’s a perfect fit.