The $300 lock you can break in seconds

The lock you see in the picture can be found in thousands of locations: hotels, banks, casinos, office buildings, airports. And, according to a class action lawsuit, it isn’t safe at all. Kaba-Ilco, the maker of the ubiquitous  Simplex series of push-button locks, is being sued for selling a defective product that can be broken into in seconds by an unskilled person wielding only a powerful magnet.

NYC's Greenwich Locksmiths have got some front!

Located in the smallest building in Manhattan, the business of Greenwich Locksmiths has been in existence since 1968 and over the past 40 odd years hasn't changed all that much - until owner Phil Mortillaro decided to get creative and decorated the facade with thousands of multi-colored keys.

The swirls of shiny keys make for a unique signpost for Phil's trade and the shop has now become something of a local landmark and tourist spot.
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Honed over 300 years

When Mumbai Police recently cracked a sensational diamond heist case in which four people allegedly stole diamonds and cash worth crores from the lockers of a nationalised bank, they were amazed how the locksmith could remotely open a seven-lever locker which is practically impossible to get into even if one had physical access. In fact, duplication of these keys is so tough that if the original is lost, the manufacturer has to replace the lock. It turns out the skill had been honed for over 300 years.

Databac self-expiring visitor labels

ID specialist Databac has entered into a strategic partnership with Data Management, Inc., of Connecticut, US, to distribute its innovative Visitor Pass Solutions in Europe via its bases in the UK and Spain. First to be introduced will be Data Management’s self-expiring, one-piece visitor labels, which have already seen considerable success stateside, in healthcare, business, education and government.
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How do you fancy having your picture taken with one of China's most attractive models?

Thanks to the Internet, the delightful Queenie (pictured) is now well-known to the international locksmithing industry as the face of the Lishi pick advertisements.

What you may not know however, is that Queenie is also considered one of China's most attractive models (obviously).
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Relay attacks on cars now in the public domain

Three researchers from the system security group at ETH Zurich in Switzerland were able to break into 10 vehicles made by 8 manufacturers and drive them away by intercepting and relaying signals from the cars to their smart keys.
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MPL now stocking Yale multipoint locks

MPL advises LASN that they are now stocking the different types of Yale multipoint locks. Quite hard to get hold of in the past, all the locks are the 3 hook type with a variety of the different rollers or roller positions. They are also stocking the separate gearboxes for these mechanisms, again with the hook in the middle.

MPL Group of Companies
29 Westgate End,
Wakefield, WF2 9RG

T: 01924 360444
F: 01924 376258
E: [email protected]

Lumidigm partners with i-Evo to create robust biometric fingerprint access control readers

Reads Through Snow, Cold, Water, Dust, Oil, Creams and Gloves

Lumidigm has announced that i-Evo (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) is using the company's multispectral imaging sensors to produce a line of extremely versatile fingerprint readers that can be used both indoors and outdoors, including in harsh environments that render most biometric readers inoperable.
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$1m diamonds theft shakes confidence in Indian bank security

In a case that has shaken confidence in Indian bank security, four men including two diamond dealers, along with a real estate dealer and a master locksmith have been arrested on charges of robbing diamonds worth at least $1 million from seven bank security lockers.
 
The bank, a major diamond finance institution, was robbed after the four succeeded in duplicating locker keys as well as the bank custodian's keys.
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Serco in $2bn bid to run US security giant

Infinova Awarded 'Outstanding Safeguard' for 2010 Asian Games and Asian Para Games

Infinova has announced that the Asian Games Organization Committee has recognized the company with its 'Outstanding Safeguard' Award for its role in keeping stadiums and venues safe during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games which were held in Guangzhou, China between November 12 and December 19, 2010.

Infinova video surveillance and security equipment was installed in a number of venues, including the Guangzhou International Sports Performance Arts Center, Guangdong Aquatic Center, Bicycle Racing Course and Tennis Center. During the games, Infinova technicians were stationed in the stadiums to assure immediate support if needed.
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Locksmiths' Exhibition Award Dinner raffle and auction

At the Awards Dinner on the 5th of March we intend to hold a raffle and auction for a very special cause. The raffle prizes will be available to diners only at the meal but the auction items will be open to anyone to bid on.
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Government backs MLA 2011 handbook

The UK's biggest locksmithing trade association has further cemented its position as one of the country's leading security experts with a stamp of approval from the Home Office.

The coalition Government's James Brokenshire MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Crime Prevention has praised the work of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) and invited the association to contribute to shaping the voluntary and regulatory options for improving home security in Britain.
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Soldering on again

Lock Decoders' popular soldering classes are booking again. The next class is 22nd February, and reservations are also being taken for the next one on. All MLA members who complete the class earn 3 CPD points. In addition to basic soldering skills, students are taught how to remove eeproms and micro processors.

The class is held in a purpose-built room and is open to anyone wanting to learn this skill and move to the next level. Each student has their own large workbench with tools such as soldering irons and hot air stations supplied. Training is virtually one on one.
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Opening the Kaba Simplex Lock: Just How Easy Is It?

by Marc Weber Tobias

Kaba is one of the world's biggest lock manufacturers, and my article about the class action against it caused everyone to want to know just how simple or difficult the attack is to accomplish and whether they (or their clients) are at risk in their facilities or homes.

Free locks all round

Police and council officials in North East Leeds have launched an initiative to boost home security around the Temple Newsam area by fitting free new locks to over 100 local homes.

The new initiative, which has been funded by Leeds City Council, aims to combat house burglary and is the first of a number of crime prevention schemes in the area being coordinated between neighbourhood police and local councillors.
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Locks activated by text message cut bike crime

Bike locks activated by mobile phones have been hailed a huge success in tackling bicycle thefts.
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Abus sets up a US subsidiary

Abus, the market leader for locks in Germany, has set up a US subsidiary to help grow its bicycle, motorcycle and marine security business in North America. The company, named Abus Mobile Security, Inc., is based in Chicago.

Fritz Bohl will serve as general manager of the operation. Bohl, a German native, emigrated to the US 10 years ago.
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Raytec IR Combats Fly-Tipping in Finland

Raytec’s RAYMAX Infra-Red LED lighting has been installed at waste recycling points across Finland to tackle fly-tipping and improve profitability for leading Finnish waste management company, Ita-Uundenmaan Jatehuolto. As part of a remotely monitored CCTV solution installed by Lastmile Connection Service (LMCS), the IR lighting works in conjunction with network cameras to capture clear images of both vehicles and offenders who dump waste illegally during the hours of darkness.
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Who can be trusted to deal with data securely?

With issues of cybercrime still prevalent, companies are understandably cautious about who can be trusted to deal with their data securely. As a result, hosting provider UKFast has been working towards several industry standards to prove the security of its client's data. This week, the company has achieved ISO accreditations guaranteeing quality management and environmental management, adding to its existing information security management certification.

Gaining ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 is a significant step in the company's development and one that is particularly important to UKFast's MD Lawrence Jones. 
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CBC boosts customer support

Leading surveillance solutions provider CBC (Europe) has created a new Customer Support Manager role, providing a dedicated one-stop link between its customers and a wide range of support functions. 

The move ensures that buyers of CBC brands including Ganz and Computar -including installers, end users, and consultants - will continue to get the best possible help with all their requirements, ranging from quotations, to order queries and technical questions.
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Newsdesk News

If you would like Locks and Security News to feature your product information, case studies, or company news, just email as above. Ideally a Word doc + jpeg images. Remember, we can take copy up to 5pm on any Tuesday for Wednesday transmission.

Want a link from Locks and Security News to your web site? Just ask for details.

The views or claims expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publisher accepts no liability for errors in this publication.

John Austen
Publishing Director
Tel:07766 707 888

Awards Dinner and Training Classes update

With 2 weeks to the 'event of the year', The Locksmiths' Exhibition is looking like it's going to be a very busy show indeed. Enquiries for stands are still being made and the Awards Dinner is a sell out, although we have contacted the hotel and if there is a call for more seats we could squeeze in a few extra onto the over-generous tables. 
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Is technology giving thieves a way in to cars?

by Juanita Appleby, Sbd UK

Vehicle manufacturers and suppliers continue to strive for the ultimate convenience features and modern vehicles are fitted with increasing numbers of telematics systems and on-board communication technology. This means more wireless data transfer is taking place and there is now evidence to suggest that thieves could exploit this with 'invisible' theft attacks. Whilst a great number of these cited theft methods are built on fiction, some are certainly feasible by technically capable thieves.
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Oil tank locks

The value of having oil tank locks has been highlighted following a recent surge in the number of heating oil thefts taking place in the UK.
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Locksmiths' Exhibition 2011 - training classes announced

It has been announced that there will be a programme of Training Classes held at the Locksmiths' Exhibition 2011.

All Classes must be paid for before the event - there are unlikely to be any free places on the day as the instructors need to bring in supplies on a per student basis.
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Locksmiths' Exhibition 2011 Awards Dinner menu

Mmmm! Tasty eh? And all for only £30. Terrific value.

Here is the set menu for the Awards Dinner Saturday 5th March 2011, held the evening of the first day of the Locksmiths' Exhibition, where we will announce the winners of the Locksmith of the Year and Supplier of the Year awards. If you intend joining us you need to book and tell us your choice from the menu below.
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New homeowners urged to change locks

by Richard Kilner

People who move house are being urged to change the locks, as failure to do so exposes them to increased risk of burglary.
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Representing the Security Industry

by Patrick J Somerville QPM Chairman - Joint Security Industry Council and Vice President of IPSA

Private Security Industry needs a single representative body for all sectors
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