Facial Recogniton Technology tested by US Dept Of Homeland Security

We began selling an imported Facial Recognition device earlier this year and have been testing it for the last few months. It is surprisingly accurate.

Now, a report surfaces that the US Department of Homeland Security recently conducted it's own test of some technology produced by NEC.

In the benchmark test, the 2D technology produced results like 92% accuracy from a criminal database of 1.6 million persons and a 95% accuracy from a database of visa applicants.

NEC says they largely focus on an individual’s eyes, mouth, or nose, while largely ignoring certain other features, for example the eyebrows. The Nikkei (Japan’s leading business daily) tested the technology just recently if it’s able to recognize the face of an NEC researcher through photos that were taken in 1987 and 2010.

NEC now expects the technology to be used for crime investigations or immigration control, for example. (source...)

Our product sells for about $480 and can be used as an interface for access control. You can use it like a time clock/attendance system, control access to secure facilities or specifically to ensure your employees are arriving at work (not getting a work mate to sign them in).

ADT Employs Scare Tactics in Chile

ADT the alarm company, known worldwide as a leading vendor in monitoring services recently employed advertising company DDB in Chile to promote their products to homeowners.

DDB decided to create a cardboard box with the company's advertising slogan printed, to be slipped under prospective customers doors.

The box, folded flat, springs to life after being inserted underneath the front entry door. This is to startle the homeowner into realising that their home is not secure.

Printed on the box, "Breaking into your apartment is easier than you think"

In truth of course, no break ins occurred. But do you consider this good advertising?

Scary, how some peoples minds work!

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In & Out. A New Design For The Push/Pull Handle

Jeon Hwan Soo, a student at SADI (Samsung Art & Design Institute) recently designed an innovative adaption to the panic exit device seen widely throughout the world.

Current panic exit device hardware, produced by varying manufacturers, conforms to an industry accepted design that is over 40 years old.

This new concept, allows a user to immediately know how to operate the hardware. It is simple, yet functional and reasonably easy on the eyes.

The simplicity of this design, allows for installation into a wide variety of door styles including narrow stile door frames and regular stile frames.

Installation is to the body of the door, allowing the door's construction to house all parts.

The construction of the hardware is straightforward, using springs that effectively return the inside and outside operators to original position, efficiently and effectively.

Redesigning the age old panic exit hardware is a challenge that many designers are constantly investigating to enable all people an easier experience to operate.

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The Lockwood 001 Classic

I trained initially as a locksmith in Australia. I completed a four year apprenticeship in gruelling conditions, apprenticed in 3 different companies over the course of four years.

When I began in 1983, the most common lock found on people's doors was the common nightlatch. Key operated on the outside with a turnbutton inside.

Not terribly secure but very efficient in operation. Lockwood Australia, owned at the time by Ogden Industries, had begun to change the face of the residential door market with the introduction of the Lockwood 001 deadlatch.

Significant improvements over the last 30 years have seen this product evolve and continue to be the most sought after physical door security product in the southern hemisphere.

The current version is designed to comply with the international building code's escape laws. Using an upgraded mechanism that enables the interior knob to be unlocked with the outside keyhole and for the inside knob to display it's locked or unlocked condition with a visible notification. The lock still provides for double cylinder protection. It installs to the door rim mounted (surface mounted). Is held on with 6 screws to the door. The strike plate is also surface mounted held on with 6 long screws that actually prevent door frame casing failure.

This product is still the leading deadlock on the market in the southern hemisphere and has proven itself repeatedly as the best of brands for it's function, design, and ease of use.

Now if we just convince northern hemispherians to use the product, perhaps the crime rate here would decrease.

(source...)

Nexion Vision

Lockwood Australia, owned by Assa-Abloy Asia Pacific, announced this stylish addition to the Nexion Classic, called the Nexion Vision.

The Nexion Vision electronic keyless lockset represents the next generation in home security. This stylish lockset combines the security of an automatic deadlatch with added safety features, plus the convenience of keyless operation using the Q-Key remote control.

The Nexion Vision Keyless Entry Lockset is battery operated, and emits an audible and visual confirmation of activation by the Q-Key remote control. The Q-Key has a range of up to three metres and uses the latest in encrypted rolling code technology for the highest security possible. Additional Q-Key remotes can easily be programmed by following a simple sequencing procedure. Should the Q-Key remote ever be misplaced, the lockset can be manually operated with a key.

Features

• Keyless entry using Q-Key (remote control)
• Fully encrypted rolling codes
• Safety features include SafetyRelease to minimise the risk of being locked in and Lockout Release
• Simple programming sequence to add or disable Q-keys and has a range of up to 3 metres
• The lockset provides both audible and visual confirmation of electronic activation. The Locksets mode is shown by LockAlert.

LockAlert
The Nexion Vision also has the unique Lockwood LockAlert status indicator that shows at a glance the lockset mode. The lockset can operate in three modes: Secure Mode, Safety Mode and Passage Mode.

Secure Mode (Red) Handles securely locked from both inside and outside

Safety Mode (Yellow) Handles securely locked from outside and free from the inside

Passage Mode (Green) Handles free from both inside and outside

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The Arrow Revolution

Access Control products are increasing in demand today, but very few products seem to live up to the marketed specifications.

One that appears to live up to the hype is the Arrow Revolution. Below is a factory authorised test of the product.

In the recent past, I have displayed my lack of affection for wireless standalone security products. Now I think I may have a reason to cheer.

I strongly suggest that the mechanical backup option be strongly considered and this product can accept our Bilock Extreme Security Bump Proof and Virtually Pick Proof key system.

Price on application (a little under $400).

(source...)

Schlage Securekey Fault

Was called to a real estate agents listing to gain entry, due to a supposedly faulty lock and this is what I found. (I apologise for the sideways video - still getting used to the camera)

I walked up to the door and found this exact scenario. A brand new Schlage Securekey deadbolt installed. The agent indicated that their key (inside the box) was not working. They needed entry and repair/replace.

Having seen the same entry technique used on Kwikset Smartkey locks, I thought I'd try the same technique.

Lo and behold!

Of course I replace the lock with a better quality lock (which by the way was considerably more competitively priced).

See Also:

Schlage Securekey Bumped

EDIT** 10/25/10

We dissected the faulty product to determine what failed. In this case, it appears that the correct key was withdrawn upside down, causing the internal parts to dislodge. The core is composed of pot metal combined with plastic. One of the two sidebars was worn out. I suggest this lock was no more than 2 weeks old.

EDIT** 11/04/10

Significant interest has been generated by this post recently. I should point out, that it could be that this particular product might have been faulty and might not necessarily be an across the board indictment against all the Schlage Securekey hardware line. I have heard recently of similar problems experienced by other users, but I cannot verify the accuracy of those comments.

EDIT** 11/07/10

I am receiving a significant quantity of hits here searching for master keying availability of Schlage Securekey products. Schlage Securekey products CANNOT be master keyed. It is physically impossible to key the locks to more than one different key.

Rosslare Biometric Solutions - A Cut Above

I came across a particularly reputable company that manufactures some of the best quality hardware in the industry. Rosslare is widely known, worldwide as a leading provider of specialist security products. The explanation below is from their site with the link in the source.

When considering upgrading your security, please consider this company as their approach to the market is borne from integrity, cost effectiveness, value for money and honesty.

The Mifare Fingerprint MOC Family uses a swipe biometric sensor to instantly verify fingerprint data with up to two biometric templates stored in the Mifare card, ideal for highly secured facilities as well as other facilities that wish to heightens their security level. By storing the data only on a Mifare Contactless card and not on a PC or other less secure databases, privacy is preserved. The unit’s superior and compact designs allow installation in the most elegant of places. The readers are compatible with almost any access control system.

The Mifare Fingerprint readers are small, elegant, accurate, swift, and cost effective; they provide a high level of security and preserve users' privacy.

The reader scans biometric data stored in a specific protected sector within a Mifaresmartcard, it then compares the data with a swiped finger and, once if verified, sends the card ID to a connected controller. This reader is compatible with most common Wiegand and Clock & Data formats, and can replace existing readers to save installation and migration costs.

Configuration and user cards are created using Rosslare’s Smart Card programmer (CP-R25) and AS-B01 PC software application.

These products have the capability of being customized for most major projects.

Main Features

• Advanced, secure, multi-application functionality for intelligent installations

• Unlimited number of users

• Unique and reliable Match-On-Card technology

• Designed for indoor use (swipe sensor protection required for outdoor use)

• Easy to deploy in the field with the configuration card (Master card) for secure sector reading of data from the sectors

• Configurable multi output format, supports

Wiegand 26-bit format and many more • Compatible with CP-R25 USB Desktop Card

Programmer and fingerprint enrollment • PC software for Master and User Cards configuration (AS-B01)

ADVANCED FEATURES

• Reads Mifare® ISO14443 Type A, Standard cards

• Optical tamper sensor for case and wall tamper detection

• Fully compatible with Mifare® 1K and 4K credentials:

o AT-T512 (1K ISO card)

o AT-T513 (4K ISO card)

o AT-T515 (1K tag)

• Configuration card allows setting of:

o Format

o Input control

o Lockout parameters

o Secret keys (KeyA)

I am not enamoured with many of the biometric fingerprint solutions available in todays marketplace, yet I think I many have finally found a worthy solution from a reputable provider.

(source...)