#1 Is Compucon replacing locksmiths?

Compucon does not get involved in the design, development, manufacturing, installation and maintenance of door locks. Compucon deals with the control of lock operations as well as the information side of lock operations. The answer is therefore no, Compucon is not replacing locksmiths. Nevertheless, the public may like to know if high tech access control refers to the information side only. The answer is no again. Some new lock designs have appeared to better match with information technology.

 

 

#2 How does IT (Information Technology) affect Locks?

The question is indeed not a dumb one. IT has an influence on how locks are designed for the simple reason that the current IT industry is based on 1 or 0 for computing akin to locks. Some locks in real life have more sophisticated or complicated design. The design is not just for cosmetic appearance but for making hacking very difficult. Are these locks in conflict with the binary computing basis of IT? Let the reader of this article be the jury after making more observations after logging off. In the meantime, we would like to introduce a modern lock called magnetic lock. It does not look sophisticated in any sense. In fact, it looks very dumb. But it works. Compucon does not create this concept or get involved with the design. Nevertheless maglock is functional, reliable, not expensive, and easy to install and maintain. Maglock is now a default offer from Compucon. 

 

#3 Can a burglar operate a Maglock like a traditional lock?

A burglar can unlock a door fitted of a traditional lock with a piece of metal wire within 3 minutes most of the time. Can a burglar bring along a magnet or hammer and unlock a maglock? It is practically not possible. The maglock would be installed on the inside of the door and the burglar would not have access to the inside of the door in the first place to work on the maglock. For the sake of experiment, we let the burglar into the house. The burglar would have to dismantle the maglock off the door and door frame first and then try to separate them. Even if the maglock is now on the bench sticking together, it still requires an extreme force to pull them apart. Extreme means something sophisticated and complicated! So the conclusion is not possible practically.

 

#4 What can a burglar do to unlock a maglock?

The burglar has to steal a RFID card that is authorized to unlock the maglock. Without access to the house, the burglar will have to steal the card while the owner is not in the house. OK, the burglar has stolen a valid RFID card and knows where the lock is. Suppose the owner realises very shortly that his card is missing. He should ring his building manager immediately and the manager will disable his card. This is similar to the use of credit cards issued by banks. Keep the RFID card like another credit card. 

 

#5 Are burglars more capable than we said?

Yes they are because we have said very little. IP-based Access Control is a sophisticated discipline of application of information technology development. It is constantly evolving. Compucon will certainly give more advice to clients on real life project implementation.