Medeco Logic & M3 Logic: Security and Flexibility

Jan. 11, 2011

In 2006 Medeco established the LOGIC technology eCylinder platform by integrating Assa Abloy CLIQ technology into Medeco mechanical products.  The product portfolio is based on the IKON solution which is an Assa Abloy sister company.  Logic was launched in December of 2006, benefiting from all of the years of development and testing that went into the CLIQ program.

Due to the greatly reduced size of the electronic circuitry and motors, Medeco greatly expanded its eCylinder product offering.  The circuitry was now so small that Medeco could provide eCylinder rim, mortise, cam and key-in-knob locks. 

Logic provides secure solutions to limitations of mechanical master key systems, for example extensive preplanning and slow deployment time.  With mechanical systems, loss of keys or unauthorized key duplication can mean the loss of security.  Logic combines mechanics and electronics to solve these problems. 

The mechanical dynamic is a reversible key with one keyway that has five segments, an electromechanical blocking pin and a sidebar.  Four  different characteristics per detaining element allows for a high level of mechanical security.

The electronic dynamic begins with the CLIQ ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an integrated circuit which came out of the Assa Abloy CLIQ program.  CLIQ ASIC uses 64 bit III DES encryption for all communications.  Keys can be inserted right side up or up side down and fit on standard key ring. 

M3 Logic

In 2010 Medeco launched the M3 Logic product line.  M3 Logic also uses the electronics package developed in the Assa Abloy CLIQ program, but the electronics are housed in keys and cylinders using standard Medeco3 keyways.  This allows integration of the M3 Logic system into existing Medeco3 mechanical systems.  So you can now take a mechanical system that had been installed for years and seamlessly integrate access control into sensitive openings.  This provides a cost-effective solution for areas that need access control where the expense of an online solution is not feasible. 

M3 Logic keys are also available with proximity battery covers for integration into existing card access systems.  With a single credential, you can access the HID card reader on a perimeter door, then open a Medeco mechanical cylinder to an office and access a M3 Logic cylinder leading to the records room.

Medeco Logic and M3 Logic offer many different styles of cylinders to retrofit into any application.  Because of its unique design, Medeco Logic can be installed in locations where conditions wouldn’t allow traditional devices to be operated. 

Logic is a retrofit product line.  It leverages existing door hardware so there is no changing of hardware, no door cutting, no running cables or replacing batteries at the doors which are typically required with standalone electronic access control systems.  Logic electromechanical cylinders do not have temperature issues as power is derived from the key. 

Logic is managed with easy-to-use software and a password-protected programming key. Making functional changes to the system is quick and secure and can be done by either the locksmith or end-user. 

Logic software is intuitive and user friendly. Using only a few screens, you can perform record keeping and issuing of keys. Key and cylinder scheduling can be completed in one screen.  Key holder info can include photos as well as signatures for instant verification.  If the user wants a paper trail, all transactions can require actual receipt print-outs.

Logic Keys

The Logic systems incorporate three types of keys.  The E2 key is standard and most common key for all systems. The E3 key is specialized for certain functions like visitors, temporary employees, remote suite accesses, etc.  

The “C” key is used for transferring information to and from the cylinder.  A “C” key is configured for every system and is the master credential which is required to program the system.

All tasks at the cylinder are done by the “C” key, including programming the key list and performing audits. A “C” key is required with every system, but more than one C-Key can be used for things like controlling cylinder management by areas and emergency management.  The “C” Key never opens cylinders for security reasons. It is only used for communication.

Benefits

To fully understand the benefit of a Medeco Logic system, we first need to review what happens in a typical mechanical key system.  When keys are issued, security declines, because without a unique ID for each key holder, there is no way to track when key holders come and go.

Second, when you can't control a user’s access by schedule, you can't control when they’ll be in the facility.  With Logic, because you can schedule both in the key and the cylinder, security is maintained at a high level. 

Third, without patented credentials, either the key or credential could be duplicated without your knowledge.  Medeco Logic has an encrypted key and a patented mechanical blade for your assurance that nobody can duplicate a key without your permission. 

Fourth, when employees are fired or quit, if you don't immediately get their keys back, you have a potential breach on security.  With Logic, simply delete the key from the system with a quick visit to the door. 

And finally, when employees lose or misplace keys, if you don't know about it, you can't remove that from the system.  Because of Logic’s audit ability, you can take keys out of the system if you suspect that they’ve been lost or misplaced.

One challenge to the mechanical key format is that it cannot cross-over into more advanced technologies. It is a rigid platform designed to serve a single purpose.

So what happens if a potential customer already has EAC for their exterior of the building and wants something less expensive on the interior but still needs high security? Choices are limited especially if the customer wants to use a single credential for both systems. 

With the new Logic RFID Medeco has taken the existing Logic credential and built a 125Khz proximity coil into battery cover. This way the customer can carry a single credential that will work on multiple technologies.

Logic Web & Mobile

The Logic products continue to evolve and the latest development projects have produced the Logic Web Manager, a server-based solution which allows programming through a standard web interface such as Internet Explorer.  A system administrator in Los Angeles can easily make programming changes for an employee in New York.  The employee in New York can have his key reprogrammed by inserting the key into a Logic Remote Programming Device.  The Remote PD is a wall mounted PoE (Power over Ethernet) device which connects to your LAN (Local Area Network).  When the user inserts a key, the Remote PD will communicate with the server via TCP/IP to upload any audit information from the key and reprogram the key with any access changes.  This all occurs with little input from the user so training is minimal.

Logic Mobile PD expands the system’s by allowing key programming through a cellular telephone.  The Mobile PD has a USB port which can connect to either a PC or a cellular telephone for communication to the central server.  The cellular telephone connection allows access change to be made when a wired network connection is not available.  This technology opens many possibilities and offers extreme levels of security.  For example, you could have an armored car crew sent out to fill ATMs.  With this technology the key that the crew is assigned could be completely blank when it is handed out.  So if the key were lost, it would never be able to access any ATMs.  When the crew reaches an ATM they will insert their key into the Mobile PD.  The Mobile PD can allow the key to access the ATM for the next 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes the key will expire until they reach the next location.  This greatly reduces the security risks and costs associated with missing mechanical keys.

Medeco Logic & M3 Logic: Security and Flexibility

With this new technology, you can take an existing mechanical master key system and seamlessly integrate access control into sensitive openings. 

In 2006 Medeco established the LOGIC technology eCylinder platform by integrating Assa Abloy CLIQ technology into Medeco mechanical products.  The product portfolio is based on the IKON solution which is an Assa Abloy sister company.  Logic was launched in December of 2006, benefiting from all of the years of development and testing that went into the CLIQ program.

Due to the greatly reduced size of the electronic circuitry and motors, Medeco greatly expanded its eCylinder product offering.  The circuitry was now so small that Medeco could provide eCylinder rim, mortise, cam and key-in-knob locks. 

Logic provides secure solutions to limitations of mechanical master key systems, for example extensive preplanning and slow deployment time.  With mechanical systems, loss of keys or unauthorized key duplication can mean the loss of security.  Logic combines mechanics and electronics to solve these problems. 

The mechanical dynamic is a reversible key with one keyway that has five segments, an electromechanical blocking pin and a sidebar.  Four  different characteristics per detaining element allows for a high level of mechanical security.

The electronic dynamic begins with the CLIQ ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an integrated circuit which came out of the Assa Abloy CLIQ program.  CLIQ ASIC uses 64 bit III DES encryption for all communications.  Keys can be inserted right side up or up side down and fit on standard key ring. 

M3 Logic

In 2010 Medeco launched the M3 Logic product line.  M3 Logic also uses the electronics package developed in the Assa Abloy CLIQ program, but the electronics are housed in keys and cylinders using standard Medeco3 keyways.  This allows integration of the M3 Logic system into existing Medeco3 mechanical systems.  So you can now take a mechanical system that had been installed for years and seamlessly integrate access control into sensitive openings.  This provides a cost-effective solution for areas that need access control where the expense of an online solution is not feasible. 

M3 Logic keys are also available with proximity battery covers for integration into existing card access systems.  With a single credential, you can access the HID card reader on a perimeter door, then open a Medeco mechanical cylinder to an office and access a M3 Logic cylinder leading to the records room.

Retrofit Applications

Medeco Logic and M3 Logic offer many different styles of cylinders to retrofit into any application.  Because of its unique design, Medeco Logic can be installed in locations where conditions wouldn’t allow traditional devices to be operated. 

Logic is truly a retrofit product line ­– no time-consuming key meetings or sophisticated key layouts. Medeco Logic leverages existing door hardware so there is no changing of hardware, no door cutting, no running cables or replacing batteries at the doors which are typically required with standalone electronic access control systems.  Logic electromechanical cylinders do not have temperature issues as power is derived from the key. 

Logic is managed with easy-to-use software and a password-protected programming key. Making functional changes to the system is quick and secure and can be done by either the locksmith or end-user. 

Software

Logic software is intuitive and user friendly. Using only a few screens, you can perform record keeping and issuing of keys. Key and cylinder scheduling can be completed in one screen.  Key holder info can include photos as well as signatures for instant verification.  If the user wants a paper trail, all transactions can require actual receipt print-outs.

Logic Keys

The Logic systems incorporate three types of keys.  The E2 key is standard and most common key for all systems. The E3 key is specialized for certain functions like visitors, temporary employees, remote suite accesses, etc.  

The “C” key is used for transferring information to and from the cylinder.  A “C” key is configured for every system and is the master credential which is required to program the system.

All tasks at the cylinder are done by the “C” key, including programming the key list and performing audits. A “C” key is required with every system, but more than one C-Key can be used for things like controlling cylinder management by areas and emergency management.  The “C” Key never opens cylinders for security reasons. It is only used for communication.

Benefits

To fully understand the benefit of a Medeco Logic system, we first need to review what happens in a typical mechanical key system.  When keys are issued, security declines, because without a unique ID for each key holder, there is no way to track when key holders come and go.

Second, when you can't control a user’s access by schedule, you can't control when they’ll be in the facility.  With Logic, because you can schedule both in the key and the cylinder, security is maintained at a high level. 

Third, without patented credentials, either the key or credential could be duplicated without your knowledge.  Medeco Logic has an encrypted key and a patented mechanical blade for your assurance that nobody can duplicate a key without your permission. 

Fourth, when employees are fired or quit, if you don't immediately get their keys back, you have a potential breach on security.  With Logic, simply delete the key from the system with a quick visit to the door. 

And finally, when employees lose or misplace keys, if you don't know about it, you can't remove that from the system.  Because of Logic’s audit ability, you can take keys out of the system if you suspect that they’ve been lost or misplaced.

One challenge to the mechanical key format is that it cannot cross-over into more advanced technologies. It is a rigid platform designed to serve a single purpose.

So what happens if a potential customer already has EAC for their exterior of the building and wants something less expensive on the interior but still needs high security? Choices are limited especially if the customer wants to use a single credential for both systems. 

With the new Logic RFID Medeco has taken the existing Logic credential and built a 125Khz proximity coil into battery cover. This way the customer can carry a single credential that will work on multiple technologies.

Logic Web & Mobile

The Logic products continue to evolve and the latest development projects have produced the Logic Web Manager, a server-based solution which allows programming through a standard web interface such as Internet Explorer.  A system administrator in Los Angeles can easily make programming changes for an employee in New York.  The employee in New York can have his key reprogrammed by inserting the key into a Logic Remote Programming Device.  The Remote PD is a wall mounted PoE (Power over Ethernet) device which connects to your LAN (Local Area Network).  When the user inserts a key, the Remote PD will communicate with the server via TCP/IP to upload any audit information from the key and reprogram the key with any access changes.  This all occurs with little input from the user so training is minimal.

Logic Mobile PD expands the system’s by allowing key programming through a cellular telephone.  The Mobile PD has a USB port which can connect to either a PC or a cellular telephone for communication to the central server.  The cellular telephone connection allows access change to be made when a wired network connection is not available.  This technology opens many possibilities and offers extreme levels of security.  For example, you could have an armored car crew sent out to fill ATMs.  With this technology the key that the crew is assigned could be completely blank when it is handed out.  So if the key were lost, it would never be able to access any ATMs.  When the crew reaches an ATM they will insert their key into the Mobile PD.  The Mobile PD can allow the key to access the ATM for the next 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes the key will expire until they reach the next location.  This greatly reduces the security risks and costs associated with missing mechanical keys.