JUNE EDITORIAL
Editor:
You nailed it in your editorial this June (“Locksmiths Must Overcome Typecasting as Mechanical Lock Specialists, http://tinyurl.com/typecast0612). I hope there are many that read it and take it to heart.Thank You!
Greg Parks,CRL
Accurate Security Pros, Inc.
San Diego, CA
LOCKSMITH?
Editor:
In response to your editorial about "Locksmith,” (August 2012, http://tinyurl.com/editor812), I think we're experiencing another example of Political Correctness. It is true, our products are changing and our market along with it, but at least the residential side is still basic for the most part, and probably will be for the near future due to cost, etc. No doubt, the younger ones in our profession will experience a different world than we're used to, and will have to adapt as such. It's been a fun ride and it will be interesting to see where it takes us. As past President of the Oklahoma Master Locksmith Association, I've witnessed many changes, and I'm sure I'll see many more in the future.
Mike McGrew, CRL
Bartlesville, OK
FUTURE OF MECHANICAL LOCKS
Editor:
Mr. Titus makes several very important points in his recent letter “Future of Mechanical Locks” found in your August 2012 issue (http://tinyurl.com/letters812). The impact of the digital electronic technologies on all aspects of our 21st century lives is hard to grasp. The world of physical security is a dramatic example. The flood of features and convenient functions never before available to the traditional security applications tend to obscure some vital issues. There are inherent vulnerabilities that are not well understood, but acceptable at one level, but not at another. The naïve assume that there is more security provided than in reality. The increasing rate of technological obsolesce is a threat to each new concept, and a burden on the future.
The Stanton Concepts Robotic Key System (RKS) takes a different approach. The RKS cylinder is entirely mechanical and has no keyway. The “key” is a tool that embodies all of the electronics and communication features required to function the system. There is a motor driven interface with the cylinder. This embodiment can be scaled as required by the application and easily incorporated into the ever changing telecommunications environment.
The Journal of Physical Security featured a paper “Security Through Transparency: An Open Source Approach to Physical Security” by John Loughlin in 2009. Several Stanton patents have issued and others are pending. An important advantage of the RKS concept is that the cylinder and tool may be scaled to fit the function and cost objectives of the application.
The future will continue to depend on mechanical locks. The evolving electronics will be vital to the new and better ways to cause these locks to function properly. This is our challenge.
Robert W. Loughlin
SEND YOUR LETTERS
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