Are smart Locks Really Leading Us into a Keyless Future? -- Security Today

Are Smart Locks Really Leading Us into a Keyless Future?

Mobile access to homes and offices is not a new concept, but in 2018, why do we still have to carry around bulky keys when we have our phone with us?

By Eric Trabold
Oct 11, 2018

Mobile access to homes and offices is not a new concept, but in 2018, why do we still have to carry around bulky keys when we have our phone with us? Traditional keys are an outdated technology dated over a hundred years ago and not much has changed. Not only are keys hard to manage but they present real security concerns. Are current smart locks the answer to this problem?

We know mobile is the future. We hit a big milestone - 5.1 billion people around the world have a mobile device; 57 percent have a smartphone. 3.3 billion users browse the internet on their phones and by 2025, 45 percent of internet users will be mobile only. (GSMA Intelligence 2018) Mobile technology is clearly changing the way we live and work. You can turn your living room into a zombie apocalypse or shop anywhere in the world with your phone. Yet, we still use a small metal mechanism to open pins in a lock.

Each key is made for one lock which worked perfectly fine a hundred years ago when we only had one door. Today is different. We often carry 4 to 6-plus keys on us at a time and even keep keys when we forgot what they open. Not only are keys not convenient, but security is a huge issue. There is no way of knowing for certain that an unauthorized person gained access. Keys lack authentication and are easily copied, misplaced or stolen. You can’t stop access when lost or stolen, so you replace the locks.

The biggest vulnerabilities and frustrations of keys affect office spaces specifically in shared workspaces and small to medium sized businesses with high turnover or contractors, partners, or interns frequently visiting. Access can change on a daily or even hourly basis, so time and money is wasted on rekeying and handing out (or taking back) keys. What’s worse is these businesses leave themselves incredibly vulnerable to burglaries or internal theft.

Nexkey, an innovator in smart access control, surveyed 1,000 people who work in an office or coworking space to expose how vulnerable they leave themselves by not making the switch from keys to smart access. 54 percent of employees and 44 percent of coworking members still use traditional keys to access their workspaces. Not surprising, 72 percent responded that they have lost or misplaced their keys. What is surprising is that 35 percent in the past year said they had to change their locks because a coworker lost or didn’t return their key, and 32 percent of coworking members experience theft from an ex-employee who still had a key or keycard (four times more times than office workers). (Nexkey 2018)

Business owners become extremely vulnerable when they don’t update their security systems. Chances are after an employee leaves, the business will not change the locks. Every day the locks aren’t changed, you further risk an unauthorized person taking advantage.

Keys are not secure and unnecessary when we carry our phones with us every day.

Mobile access technology is here, and people are excited. According to Nexkey’s survey, 58 percent of office workers would prefer to access their workspace with their smartphone instead of keys or keycards. It seems office managers are also tired of handing out keys and keycards because 63% are interested in managing access on their smartphone. (Nexkey 2018) So just buy a smart lock and problem solved, right?

There are many smart locks on the market (August, Kwikset, Lockitron, etc.) but they keep a keyless future far from an actual reality. Switching from a key and lock to a smart lock is a smart security decision, until the culprit enters the garage or sliding glass door in the back.

Current smart locks are a step in the right direction but are nowhere near the destination. A keyless future requires technology to not just focus on the front door but secure all locks we interact with on a daily basis.

Why do we carry a keycard for the office, house key, garage door opener, and key for a locker?

A Smarter access platform like Nexkey, a cloud-based modern access control system, can transform any lock into a smart lock. In order to avoid security vulnerabilities and benefit from the convenience of a keyless world, every key needs to be replaced with one holistic solution. One app, one platform, to unlock everything important to you and keep them safe. The keyless future in workspaces and homes requires smart locks to not be stuck at the front door.

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