Fast-Forward from 1,000 B.C.E. to Today

• By Peter Boriskin
• May 05, 2025

The lock and key have been around since time immemorial. In fact, the locksmith profession is one of the oldest in the world when you consider the earliest wooden tumbler lock debuted three-plus millennia ago.

Of course, the inventors did not exactly call it an “access control solution” way back then, but the concept was certainly there, at least in nascent form. The idea was to limit who should be allowed to enter so property would be better protected, and its inhabitants would feel safer.

That basic idea remains the foundation of access control to this day. What has changed, obviously, is the technological progress that has been made and the interoperable ingenuity that now helps today’s access control solutions complement and reinforce each other.

From Mechanical Locks to Intelligent Keys, Mobile Credentials and Beyond
It does not take long to recognize how far we have come from purely mechanical door locks. That is not to say that modern mechanical locks and keys are not still extremely useful and valuable. Take new red button locks on the interior of a growing number of classroom doors that empower a student to activate a deadbolt immediately in the event of a threat.

When you look at the innovation that has occurred in electromechanical products, intelligent key systems and digital access solutions, the evolution is impressive and readily apparent. It has yielded, by design, incredible door security benefits.

When the subject of access control comes up, what comes to mind most often are electronic access control (EAC) solutions – particularly those featuring credential readers that activate a door lock once an authorized fob, keycard or mobile phone is presented.

Mobile credentials have become increasingly important everywhere, especially among college-age students considering which schools they apply. They expect their phones to fulfill an expanding range of transactions – from convenient, secure payments for food, bookstore, laundry, and other campus services to easy, safe access to workout facilities, school events, and – most important – campus housing. In fact, mobile access has become a key selling point of higher education institutions.

An exciting, new development in digital access solutions is the deployment of facial identification stations on university campuses and K-12 environments, primarily at openings to athletic workout and event facilities. Because it is a hands-free credential, athletes, coaches, and staff do not have to worry about carrying, stowing or keeping track of a key, fob, card or mobile phone to enter a controlled space.

While mobile devices are excellent and rarely get lost or left behind, a face is something that is always on you. Attractively priced and no longer limited to high-security government applications, facial identification solutions are also gaining interest for other critical environments and applications, including hospitals and commercial buildings.

Intelligent key systems are also among the EAC solutions that keep gaining momentum. Even though the technology has been around for a while, new applications and beneficial uses keep emerging for these advanced electromechanical cylinders and keys. Efficient to install and authorize, intelligent key and lock systems are ideal for retrofits, providing robust controlled access and physical security while increasing accountability.

Traffic Cabinets, Smart Lockers and More Future-Forward Access Solutions
The solution is also getting more notice as a retrofit for traffic control cabinets that house all the electronics for traffic lights are connected to municipal and statewide networks. Intelligent locks and keys help ensure that only authorized personnel have access, that cabinets are securely closed after equipment is serviced, and that a destructive breach or cyber threat becomes outdated.

Switch locks are another valuable application for intelligent key systems. Being able to program when a certified operator can start and run expensive forklifts, industrial shredders, vehicles and other equipment can help improve both safety and the security of valuable assets.

Key cabinets for securely and reliably storing intelligent keys on site – as well as keeping them charged – are also an essential and practical step for the technology. Key cabinets and key management go a step further by providing audit trails to help keep track of keys, who has access to them, and when.

Assignable and secure smart package delivery and storage locker systems are among some of the other extremely beneficial EAC security solutions now available.

New, intelligent video visitor intercoms with clear two-way communication, HD cameras, and buzz-in features provide yet another layer of electronic access control and are deployed in multi-family housing, K-12, healthcare facilities, and other locations where extra measures to vet visitors are essential.

Digital access has also become more affordable, scalable and practical for small- and medium-sized businesses thanks to unique products and systems designed for that market.

So many of these solutions and applications are seamless, creating an even more high-impact solutions – like mobile credentials and VMS; facial identification and new visitor video intercoms; and intelligent keys and smart locker systems, to name a few.

Thankfully, the use cases keep growing and the innovations keep improving as access control solutions expand to better meet the security and safety needs of more people and places looking to protect lives, living spaces and livelihoods.