Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

Your industry news - first

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Experts say key-copying kiosks pose security threat

Key-copying kiosks pose new threats to buildings that use electronic access cards, according to security experts. KeyMe, founded in 2012, has self-service kiosks located in retailers across the U.S. - including 7-Eleven, Bed Bath & Beyond, Safeway, Sears, Rite Aid and more. The company rolled out its machines as a cheap and easy way to copy brass keys.

Now, the company is expanding its machines capable of duplicating electronic keys - like RFID cards and fobs to offices, residential buildings and vehicles. It can also code the RFID key into a sticker. It cost a CBS News journalist just $25 to copy an apartment building key fob.

Security consultant Jim Elder says the KeyMe kiosks have made it too easy to copy electronic keys like "proximity cards" to buildings, posing potential security concerns. "I don't know anybody in my business who would recommend proximity cards now - just because of the ability to clone that card," Elder said.

16th October 2019