16 Keynotes March 2025 aloa.org EDUCATION Electronic Access Control — “Scotty, Beam Me Up!” By ALOA SPAI Director of Education William M. Lynk, CML, CPS, ICML, CMIL, CAI, M.Ed. I GREW UP WITH THE ORIGINAL Star Trek episodes in the 1960s. I must admit, I still watch the reruns on MeTV on Saturday nights. The allure to me was the incred- ible foresight they had with devices and what we now call “electronics.” The “pho- ton torpedoes” make me think of the proton therapy in today’s cancer therapy. The “communicators” are reminiscent of the flip phones we had in recent times. This was all developed when the Apollo spacecraft ran on a computer in 1969 less powerful than today’s cellphone! What does this all mean? It means that our locksmiths today need to pay close attention to the importance of electron- ics blended in with our expertise with mechanical access locks. It is a choice to accept or reject the ongoing develop- ment of how access control is now being integrated into our world. The choice is yours. Where Are My Keys? I am sure you can all recall when mis- placing your keys meant retracing your steps throughout your home or office. Keyless entry systems allow you to unlock doors with a PIN, fingerprint or even your smartphone. In addition, if you need to let a babysitter or contractor into your home, just send a temporary access code. You can always revoke that code when necessary — no physical keys are needed. We know that traditional keys can be copied almost faster than the speed of light. Digital credentials, though, are much harder to duplicate. Surreptitious Entry Most traditional locks can be picked, bumped or manipulated by deter- mined intruders. Electronic locks offer advanced security features that make unauthorized access a bit more chal- lenging. There are electronic locks that have built-in alarms that activate when someone attempts to force them open. Built-in encryption and rolling codes make many electronic locks resistant to tampering or hacking. Electronic Access Control: Who’s Invited? A positive feature of most electronic locks is the ability to monitor and con- trol who enters your property and when. Access logs will tell the story. It’s syn- onymous with having a security guard on your locks 24/7. The same is true for businesses where monitored access con- trol is even more critical. Management can give access based on job roles, restrict certain areas and even revoke permissions remotely. Access can be granted only to those who have legit- imate business in various areas. I Am Locked Out!! Maybe Not … Everyone has had some time in their life when they were locked out of something — a car, home or business. This doesn’t have to be the case with electronic locks. If you forget your code, you can access it on your smartphone. If your phone is not available, perhaps your fingerprint or eye scan can allow you entry. Many electronic locks have a backup battery or an emergency access feature, ensuring that even in a power outage, you still can gain legitimate access. Drawbacks: Nothing’s Perfect Electronic locks can be a fantastic solution for many, but they do not come without some potential draw- backs. Technology can fail, software glitches occur, and connectivity issues can arise. But the same drawbacks can plague a mechanical lock: parts rust, broken keys happen, gunk can be pushed into a keyway, etc. And, most electronic locks will require power, and batteries do die. There also may be a learning curve with installing, manag- ing and programming electronic locks. But as a security professional, isn’t it advantageous for you to learn about this growing area? That may ultimately be in your best interest.
