HES Launches Online Strike Selector Guide

HES, an ASSA ABLOY Group company and leader in electric strike innovation, launched the new HES Strike Selector Guide, an online tool that makes finding the right electric strike faster and easier. Guiding users through a series of simple questions, the selector delivers customized HES product recommendations based on opening conditions, lockset type, and application requirements.

Choosing the right electric strike often requires evaluating hardware compatibility, fire-rated requirements, preload conditions, and environmental factors. The HES Strike Selector Guide speeds the process by narrowing options to the most compatible solutions in just a few clicks.

"The HES Strike Selector Guide was created to make choosing electric strikes quicker and more accurate," said Ross Nevdahl, Director of Product Management. "Whether you're an integrator, locksmith, distributor, architect, or security consultant, it eliminates any guesswork and connects you with the right solution."

The selector supports a wide range of applications, including cylindrical locks, mortise locks, rim exit devices, and tubular vertical rod openings, while allowing users to incorporate special requirements such as fire-rated, windstorm-resistant, outdoor-rated, and preload-capable openings.

The HES Strike Selector Guide is available now at hesinnovations.com, helping customers choose products with confidence and move from selection to installation more efficiently.

 

Wolflok and Zephyr Partner Across the U.S. and Canada

Wolflok and Zephyr Secure have announced a partnership through which Zephyr Secure will lead distribution of Wolflok mechanical key safes in the United States and Canada. The agreement combines Wolflok's patented, high-security key safe technology with Zephyr Secure's established relationships across the North American security hardware market.

Wolflok key safes are designed for secure, on-site storage of keys, access cards, fobs and other credentials. Built for demanding commercial and institutional applications, the products combine mechanical reliability with independently attack-tested construction, weather and corrosion resistance, illuminated operation and more than 9.7 million possible code combinations.

“There are plenty of lightweight key boxes on the market. Wolflok is different,” said Vince Regan, Director of Sales at Zephyr Secure. “It is a serious security product for professionals who cannot afford to leave key control to chance. This partnership gives security hardware distributors, locksmiths and facilities professionals across the U.S. and Canada a stronger option, backed by Zephyr Secure's product knowledge, distribution and support.”

The Wolflok and Wolflok Pro product lines feature patented multi-push-button technology, illuminated buttons, one-handed access through a hinged lid and ergonomic knob, anti-pick technology and anti-drill hinge pins. The wall-mounted key safes are intended to help organizations place controlled access where it is needed while avoiding electronics, wiring or network connectivity.

“Our products have been very well received in the U.S., and Zephyr Secure is the right partner to help us build on that momentum,” said Marcus Taylor, Managing Director of Wolflok. “Zephyr Secure understands the security hardware channel, has established distributor relationships and brings credibility in commercial and institutional security. Together, we can make Wolflok more accessible to the North American professionals who need a more secure way to manage keys and credentials.”

As Wolflok's partner in the U.S. and Canada, Zephyr Secure will lead distribution and support for Wolflok solutions, with products available through security hardware distributors. Primary applications include healthcare, education, government, commercial property, construction, property management, alarm response, hotels and resorts, real estate and other locations requiring secure, point-of-need credential storage.

Wolflok products use the same core innovations recognized through The Key Safe Company's King's Award for Enterprise Innovation in the United Kingdom. The partnership extends that technology into Zephyr Secure's North American distribution network and supports both companies' focus on dependable, professionally specified access solutions.

For product information, visit www.wolflok.com or www.zephyrsecure.com.

 

Ring To Enter Smart Lock Market

The front door is where Ring started. Ring is announcing a smarter way through it with its first keyless smart lock. The Ring Smart Lock comes with a backup you can recharge by hand and four ways in: a fingerprint reader, a backlit touchscreen keypad, the Ring app, or via Alexa.

Features include:

• Power dial to recharge the lock by hand if the battery dies
• Four ways in: fingerprint reader, keypad, Ring app, or via Alexa
• Available in early 2027

Arrive home to a dead battery? Turn the dial a few times and the Ring Smart Lock powers right back up. It’s that simple.

“Almost everything in our lives today is digital, yet we still carry around little pieces of metal in our pockets,” said Jamie Siminoff, founder and chief inventor of Ring. “That's because of smart lock anxiety. A lock has to work every time, and until now, a dead battery could leave you locked out of your own home. With Ring Smart Lock, we're solving that—no backup key or battery to carry, no locksmith to call, no worries if the battery runs down. Just peace of mind knowing your home is secure.”

The Ring Smart Lock is also built to give customers control from anywhere. No more getting all the way to work just to wonder if you locked the front door; customers can check and lock it from anywhere with the Ring app. Plus, customers will be able to decide who gets access, how they get it, and when it expires—so the dog walker can get in every Tuesday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., but never outside that window.

The Ring Smart Lock stays connected through Amazon Sidewalk, a shared network powered by nearby Amazon devices — so remote locking, status updates, and PIN syncing all happen automatically without relying on your home Wi-Fi. And unlocks happen right on the device, so customers don't have to worry about getting in at the door.

This lock has not yet received FCC approval and has not been BHMA/ANSI rated, so the grade is unknown at this time.

 

Mercury Survey: Cybersecurity Gaps Growing in Access Control Infrastructure

Cybersecurity capabilities are emerging as a growing concern in physical access control infrastructure, with nearly one-third of security professionals surveyed by Mercury Security saying their existing controller systems lack needed cybersecurity features.

Mercury Security’s newly released 2026 Trends in Access Controllers Report found that 32% of respondents identified cybersecurity features as missing from their current controller systems, up from 21% in 2025. At the same time, 74% said cybersecurity and IT coordination have become more complex to manage.

The report is based on a global survey of 561 physical security and cybersecurity professionals, including administrators responsible for access control management, systems integrators, installers and end users.

Despite the reported infrastructure gaps, 86% of respondents said their organizations actively work to stay current with changing cybersecurity and data protection standards.

“Organizations recognize the cybersecurity risks facing connected access control systems, but the infrastructure in place isn’t always keeping pace,” said Steve Lucas, vice president of sales at Mercury Security. “As they look to modernize, users also want to protect existing investments. That makes interoperability increasingly important and puts more weight on choosing controller platforms that can address current security requirements while providing the flexibility to support what comes next.”

Controllers take on a larger role

The survey found 78% of respondents now consider the controller important or critical to their physical access control system strategy, compared with 72% in 2025.

As controllers connect more devices, systems and applications across the security environment, organizations are placing greater emphasis on infrastructure capable of meeting current requirements while accommodating additional capabilities over time.

Interoperability is playing a significant role in those decisions. Sixty-nine percent of respondents identified interoperability as a critical factor in controller procurement, while 82% said backward and forward compatibility is important to future infrastructure planning.

The findings indicate organizations are looking for ways to modernize gradually while preserving existing investments and maintaining the ability to add new capabilities.

Mobile credentials are also influencing controller strategies. Half of respondents said they are already using or planning to adopt mobile solutions, while 46% ranked mobile credential integration among the trends driving controller purchases.

Cloud interest outpaces deployment

Cloud connectivity was cited by 56% of respondents as a factor influencing controller purchases, up from 50% in 2025.

Current deployments have not reached the same level. Forty-one percent of respondents said their controllers are cloud-enabled, while 26% identified cloud enablement as a capability missing from their existing systems.

The results indicate demand for cloud capabilities is growing faster than their deployment within existing controller infrastructure.

Taken together, the survey findings point to controller procurement becoming a longer-term infrastructure consideration as organizations weigh reliability and cybersecurity requirements against interoperability, cloud connectivity and the ability to accommodate emerging technologies.

The full 2026 Trends in Access Controllers Report is available at https://www.mercury-security.com/2026-trends-in-access-controllers-report/

 

BHMA 2026 Michael Tierney Scholarship

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 19, 2026) – The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) has announced the recipients of the 2026 Michael Tierney Scholarship, recognizing three students for their academic achievement, leadership, initiative, and career goals aligned with the builders hardware industry. The recipients were announced during BHMA’s Annual Fall Meeting in Salt Lake City.

The 2026 Michael Tierney Scholarship recipients are:

 Ilian Baslé, Rutgers University, master’s student in product design, is expected to graduate in May 2029. BHMA member sponsor: Hager Companies.

Sarah Durning, Syracuse University, senior studying mechanical engineering, is expected to graduate in May 2027. BHMA member sponsor: dormakaba.

Adrian Kaleb Navarro Terrazas, University of Connecticut, junior studying robotics engineering, expected to graduate in May 2028. BHMA member sponsor: Allegion.

“It is an honor to recognize these exceptional students through this new scholarship program named for Michael Tierney,” said Justin Crotzer, president of BHMA. “BHMA hopes to inspire the next generation of industry professionals to pursue innovation, integrity, and service while carrying forward Michael’s enduring legacy.”

For more information about the Michael Tierney Scholarship program, visit https://buildershardware.com/AboutUs/Michael-Tierney-Scholarship.

 

ABLOY CUMULUS Cylinder Range

ABLOY is expanding its CUMULUS keyless access solution with a new cylinder range that brings mobile-enabled entry to door environments and allows access points to be managed remotely through a single system.

ABLOY CUMULUS is a keyless access platform designed for professional use, primarily in Europe. It offers a secure and cost-efficient way to operate and manage locks with smartphones. You can open locks with easy-to-use Bluetooth technology – without even having to take out your smart device.

Previously, CUMULUS supported keyless access for applications such as padlocks, key safes and other locking solutions. The addition of the cylinder range extends the platform to doors, allowing users to unlock them with a mobile device without the need for physical keys. The solution combines secure credential technology, a mobile application and battery-powered devices to support digital access management, integration and ease of use. Battery-powered operation enables a real-time clock and advanced smart features within the locking devices.

Access events, device status and environmental data are securely recorded in the system. According to ABLOY, this supports traceability while helping protect access rights from unauthorized modification or misuse.

The cylinder solution integrates with the existing CUMULUS platform and supports flexible management through ASSA ABLOY Access or partner software. It also enables retrofit upgrades that make use of existing ABLOY locking systems.

ABLOY CUMULUS is intended for professional environments that require secure, reliable and easy-to-use access management under demanding conditions. The new cylinder range is particularly suited to outdoor applications where reliability, security and access management are key requirements.

The platform also provides a consistent user experience across CUMULUS devices, supporting intuitive operation without the compromises associated with proximity-based access technologies.

The solution is designed to operate reliably in locations where network connectivity is limited, extending digital access management capabilities to environments where maintaining connectivity may be challenging.

 

Connected Technologies Expands Mobile Credential Support

Connected Technologies is partnering with Farpointe Data to expand Apple and Google Wallet credential support to CONEKT mobile-ready readers.

The partnership adds support for Farpointe’s CloudCONEKT platform to Connected Technologies’ Connect ONE wallet card solution, which uses a phone’s native wallet app to help dealers transition users to mobile credentials.

“Going beyond just a competitive cost, Connected Technologies' integration with Farpointe's CloudCONEKT benefits security integrators by deploying NFC access badges – Apple and Google, to end-users with a simple, quick, and repeatable solution that requires minimal planning,” said Francisco Alcala, North American Sales Manager at Farpointe Data.

Connect ONE is a unified cloud platform that eliminates the need for app downloads and physical badges. Wallet cards can also be dealer branded, allowing access users to see the dealer’s company name and logo when using their credential.

“Mobile credentials offer dealers a highly desirable way to attract and maintain customers while supporting new RMR opportunities,” said Dan Simon, Technical Director at Connected Technologies. “The partnership will enhance and expand the possibilities for dealers to deploy mobile credentials across a growing range of readers and manufacturers.”

Connect ONE NFC Wallet Cards work with any access control system, allowing dealers to maintain existing customer infrastructure. The platform also gives dealers flexibility to select readers based on the application rather than being tied to a single reader manufacturer.

Connect ONE integrates with existing infrastructure to enhance capabilities without costly replacements while unifying access, video, intrusion, fire and environmental systems within a single platform.

 

People in the News

Rancho Cucamonga, California  Codelocks Americas has announced the appointment of Dcorey Zeigler and David Gordon to its team; two strategic hires which will support the company’s continued growth across the Americas.

Dcorey Zeigler joins as Warehouse and Logistics Operations Manager, overseeing Codelocks' two US warehouse facilities in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Indianapolis, Indiana. With a background in computer science, automation, and many years of experience in logistics leadership, Dcorey will focus on driving continuous process improvements at both sites as the company grows alongside the rising demand for its solutions.

David Gordon joins as Technical Support and Training Manager, bringing significant experience spanning manufacturing, distribution, and hands-on technical training in the door hardware and access control industry. David will lead product training and support initiatives across the country, with a particular focus on Codelocks' NetCode® technology and the latest Connect By Codelocks solutions.

Matt Welty, Vice President at Codelocks Americas, commented on the appointments, saying: “As our business continues to grow, it’s increasingly critical that our fulfilment and logistics are efficient. Dcorey will be central in bringing a data-driven, technology-minded approach to optimizing our operations to ensure customers get quality products on time. We have also found a clear link between training activities and product sales. David's appointment will build on that connection, driving revenue while strengthening brand visibility for the company nationwide.”

Dcorey said: “Customers may never see our warehouses, but they feel the impact every time an order arrives complete and on schedule. That reliability is what I'm here to build on, enhancing Codelocks’ reputation for reliability and service across the Americas.”

David said: “I’ve spent my career on the frontline of training and support, seeing the difference that expert guidance, specification, and hands-on training can make. My focus is making sure every Codelocks customer, distributor, or locksmith has the confidence to use, recommend, install and troubleshoot our products themselves.”

These appointments follow the recent launch and rollout of the Codelocks Connect App and ConnectShare range. Distributors and locksmiths looking to book a training session or learn more about Codelocks’ solutions can visit www.codelocks.us/