Railroad Track Bungalow Buildings

Environmental Padlocks: Critical for Security in the Railroad Industry

Although railroads haven’t always been as mechanized as they are today, railroad maintenance is a critical aspect to railroad functionality and public safety. Back in the 19th century, railroad maintenance work was completed with manual labor also known as gangs who could be found along the railroad track maintaining its upkeep. 

Today, we rely on an entire ecosystem of locks and switches that are unmanned by daily workers. This lock ecosystem must stand up to external conditions, even harsh and unusual external conditions. A critical element to this ecosystem includes an environment padlock. According to SecuritySnobs.com, the right padlock is “designed for harsh outdoor conditions.”

In a LockLab article written by Army Commander Bosnianbill of Seneca Army Depot in Upstate New York, Sargent & Greenleaf locks were a significant part of his army base’s operations. The Commander described the locks as “some of the toughest padlocks ever manufactured.” He went on to compare the internal design of the locks to leading manufacturers + greater reliability. He performed rigorous testing on the locks to prove its durability.

As noted in a recent blog by LockingSystems.com, “to find out if a padlock is truly resistant to the environment you must look into the inner workings of the lock.” In fact, there are a minimum of 6 critical factors to consider when purchasing an environmental padlock:

Critical Considerations:

  1. Is the outside finish of the padlock resistant to water, salt, rust and moisture? Could it survive physical attacks?
  2. How does the inside of the padlock function?
  3. Is the inside of the lock resistant to the extreme environmental conditions?
  4. What keying options are available? i.e. Master keyed, Keyed Alike/Different, can it be re-keyed?
  5. Has independent testing been done on the complete padlock?
  6. Where has the padlock been used? (railroads, boats, docks, cargo/freight, trucks, trailers, etc.)

The current Administration has vowed to use 2021 to spark “the second greatest railroad revolution” and ensure that “America has the cleanest, safest, and fastest rail system in the world – for passengers and freight.” That makes this railroad maintenance season more critical than ever.  

The Sargent & Greenleaf Environmental Padlock is designed with unique features to protect against both physical attacks and extreme environmental conditions. The weatherproof padlock ensures security and easy operation even with regular exposure to extreme heat or freezing temperatures, rain, and dirt – setting the standard for Railroad security industry with:

Key Features:

Environmental Padlocks

S&G is committed to the security of your business.  See which locking solution best fits your needs.  

Retail Business Safe Locking Solutions

According to Security Magazine, the 32nd Annual Retail Theft Survey revealed  that one out of every 50 employees was apprehended for theft from their employer in 2019.   This number has increased in the past 8 out of 12 years and remains a concern for many retailers.  As businesses begin to reopen following the COVID-19 shutdown, many retailers are expecting an increase in theft due to the negative financial impact COVID-19 is having on many individuals and their families.    

As part of the reopening plan, businesses should re-evaluate their existing security measures and protocols they have in place to help deter internal theft.  Sargent and Greenleaf offers a wide variety of safe security options that were designed specifically for retailers to better manage and secure their assets.

Audit Lock 2.0

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Not only does Audit 2.0 safeguard your assets, it also allows you to see who accessed them – and when. This commercial-grade locking solution is secure, easy to install, and offers intuitive programming and operation.    

Key Features:

Digital Time Lock

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Easily program access schedules, download audit events, and review data in a secure, user-friendly online interface.  Digital Time Lock makes securing your assets – and your piece of mind – simple.  

Key Features:

NexusIP

NexusIP delivers the convenience of a centrally controlled internet protocol (IP) safe security solution with no drilling or peripheral components required.    By leveraging existing Wi-Fi connections, users may monitor, control, and view lock activity in real-time. 

Key Features:

S&G is committed to the security of your business.  See which locking solution best fits your needs.  

A Renewed Commitment to Quality

Sargent and Greenleaf’s reputation for quality kept S&G products at the forefront of the industry for decades. Trusted globally by customers from governments to banks to businesses, S&G maintains a culture of quality and higher standards today.

However, as technological and threat landscapes shift more rapidly now than ever before, traditional quality frameworks need improvement to keep pace with change. In 2020, S&G renewed its commitment to quality, making it a major focus area throughout the business.

Sargent and Greenleaf’s plant manager, Craig Saunders, explains the shift. “Going forward, we’re looking at quality improvements from three angles: design, supply, and manufacturing. It’s not a once-and-done project, but an ongoing priority.”

Fast-Track Design Improvements
In spite of internal testing, sometimes issues only arise with products after they reach the field. “We analyzed every design issue from the past ten years and used that insight to set up a system to fast-track needed improvements,” Saunders said. Under the new plan, S&G’s quality team not only addresses backlog issues, but also works to ensure that new issues are dealt with promptly—or handled before they become problems in the first place.

Supplier Support
In the coming months, Saunders plans to re-evaluate S&G’s material suppliers in light of quality and outline a program to assist suppliers in improving their own internal quality standards. “Supporting our suppliers is a key part of S&G’s mission,” Saunders says, “Both in our commitment to true partnerships as well as protecting the quality of our products.”

Manufacturing Safeguards
While S&G already employs rigorous internal testing, Saunders plans to further improve those processes to protect S&G customers. By adding third-party testing and multi-faceted inspections at every step, Saunders hopes to reduce warranty claims by two-thirds in 2020. “S&G already has industry-leading warranties, and the claims are low by industry standards,” Saunders says, “But improving quality assurance within our manufacturing process will improve our customers’ security—and that’s the bottom-line goal.”

As S&G continues to roll out quality enhancements, customers can look forward to better products and faster improvements.

“We can’t predict the future,” Saunders concludes, “But improving quality assurance processes means better design, better products, and better security for our customers.”

Learn more about S&G’s commitment to quality.

What’s Next: Security in the Financial Industry

Banks around the world face a wide array of challenges: shifting regulatory environments, ever evolving threats, and the need to optimize security in the face of rapidly changing technology.

At Sargent and Greenleaf, our engineers and product designers work with customers large and small worldwide to develop solutions designed to meet the needs of the financial sector—now and in the future. As we look ahead to what’s next for the banking industry, we’re focused on a few key areas.

Modular Design
“With modular design, you can add features and functionality without having to buy and install a new piece of equipment,” S&G Director of Engineering Devon Ratliff explains. “You can respond to threats faster, amplify security with new technology, and easily scale up or down—all through software and firmware upgrades.”

Predictive Analytics
Ratliff’s team of engineers takes a particular interest in built-in monitoring capabilities. “We’ll make it possible to predict when a lock needs maintenance, or spot an anomaly that flags a security incident,” Ratliff says. “Predictive analysis will be a major value-add for banks and ATM operators.”

Integrated Biometrics
S&G engineers are working on innovative ways to integrate biometrics without compromising security. “Biometric security isn’t new,” Ratliff says, “But making it available in an affordable way that maintains the security banks require is really a breakthrough.”

Networked Security
“I think our networked safe locks are a real leap forward, and now we’re looking at ways to make wi-fi and networked access a better option for banks.” Ratliff’s engineering team designed NexusIP for the chain retail and hospitality industries, but they see wider application—especially into financial spaces. “Networked security is the future, and our job is to make sure it’s secure and reliable enough for our financial customers,” Ratliff says.

From new technologies to countering emerging threats, S&G works hard to build forward-thinking solutions for the financial industry. From local branches to international banks, S&G products deliver the flexibility, security, and value to drive your security forward.

Building Global ATM Solutions

As cash-in-transit businesses and ATM owners expand globally, they need an ATM lock that’s easy to deploy in any country, for a multilingual workforce, and with minimal training. After listening to our customers, S&G took action, designing a revolutionary—yet familiar—ATM solution.

Easy to Understand
We built an extra-large, 30-character screen into our A-Series with Display keypad, to make it easier to understand and act on information at the lock. The screen incorporates icons, text, and images, plus audio signals, and our custom translator lets you use the lock and software in any language.

Easy to Operate
A-Series with Display follows simple ATM lock procedures, even as the screen and translation makes it easier than ever to process information. Our one-time-code app increases security while eliminating time-consuming dispatch calls. These features reduce required training, as well as premise time.

Easy to Audit
An integrated USB drive allows faster, more flexible audit trail downloads—up to 1,000 events, from multiple locks. Operators can quickly audit and email results as they go to streamline their work and reduce their time at the lock.

Easy to Retrofit
Designed to fit standard lock footprints, A-Series with Display is easy to install and retrofit. No specialized equipment or installation training required.

A-Series with Display is just one way that Sargent and Greenleaf brings thoughtful innovation to the global security market.

The Future of Secure Design

At Sargent and Greenleaf, we’re committed to making our locking solutions first in quality and security, but in 2019, we added a new product design process that promises to change how we think about the security products of the future.

S&G’s head of Engineering, Devon Ratliff, spends a lot of time thinking about design. This year, Devon’s team expanded the way S&G approaches product design. “The way people experience security devices is changing,” Devon says. “Our challenge is to balance the convenience and aesthetic of the internet of things with our standards for high security.”

The new design process incorporates a wide range of considerations, including:

“Working with outside industrial designers as well as our own internal experts has given us a practical path to innovation that will really move the needle in the security industry,” Devon says.

Over the next several months, as S&G begins rolling out new products in line with the company’s updated design approach, Devon’s team anticipates a major impact on the market.

“Most product changes are incremental,” Devon says. “But we’re about to make a big leap forward. S&G is bringing in the future of secure design.”

Tactics for Security Trade Show Success

Five Reasons to Attend a Security Trade Show (Beyond Keychains and Chit-Chat)

In years past, trade shows were critical ways to network and learn about industry developments. Older professionals still use trade shows for networking and getting hands-on exposure to the latest products. But younger workers increasingly avoid trade shows, generally citing lack of value.

Who’s right? In today’s internet-fueled business environment, does it still make sense to attend a security trade show?

Only if you change your goals and tactics.

If you alter your approach, your next security trade show could leave you with a major career boost, not just a suitcase full of swag. Here are five tactics for making a security trade show worth your time.

1) Solve your problems.
Before you go to a security trade show, take the time to define issues and problems with your existing security solutions. What’s not working? What’s inefficient? How could your process or solution improve?

If you attend a trade show with specific issues in mind, it’s easier to identify new answers. Bring your concerns to company booths and ask how they’d solve them. Trade shows are a great way to tap into expert knowledge so you can take back a new product or work-around to improve your business processes.

2) Influence product development.
Don’t see what you need on the market? Make your voice heard at a trade show! Most companies bring sales and product development teams to trade shows, and your feedback could influence the next generation of products and solutions.

At S&G, we’re always looking for ways to listen to our customers and hear from people who don’t use our products but who have an interest or a stake in security at any level.

3) Spot emerging trends.
A particular issue may not currently impact your company but hearing about what’s happening in the industry can give you an idea of what might be coming your way—and offer you time to implement a pre-emptive solution. Trend awareness can save your company considerable time, money, and headaches.

Find out about trends at panel discussions, or through casual conversations with other attendees and exhibitors. You can pick up all sorts of great information at a security trade show.

4) Validate a hunch.
Have a theory you aren’t sure about? Wondering if your gut feeling is accurate? A security trade show is a great forum for hashing out hunches with other professionals in your industry. Getting outside perspective can help you validate a direction before you make a big investment of time or resources.

Make time to have meals or coffee with other attendees for these productive conversations. It’s a different kind of networking—with a focus on problem solving more than ladder climbing.

5) Bring back fresh ideas.
Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know. Getting exposure to the latest ideas and solutions can broaden your thinking and make you significantly more effective in your job.

Once you get back to the office, be sure to let your colleagues and supervisors know the best of what you learned. Think of fresh ways to approach ongoing issues, present possible solutions, and be ready to apply your security trade show takeaways in your day-to-day work.

Is it worth it to attend a security trade show? We think so. That’s why S&G continues to be a presence at key events throughout the year. And in 2020, we’re rolling out a whole new way to interact. Be sure to stop by the S&G booth at ATMIA in February 2020 for a whole new security trade show experience.

Bluetooth security? It depends.

Everyone loves the concept of the smart home. Use your phone to adjust the thermostat and turn on your lights. Use voice commands to add to your grocery list. If it makes life easier, why not? That’s modern convenience for you.

But would you trust Bluetooth for your home’s security?
Our engineers looked at Bluetooth technology as an option for residential locks and saw the need to make Bluetooth both more energy efficient and far more secure—while maintaining the smart convenience that modern consumers demand.

First, we made Bluetooth more secure.
After much experimentation, we found that adding out-of-band encryption reduces the risk of the hacks and attacks that unprotected Bluetooth wireless communication invites. Although our innovation adds complexity to the security framework, S&G’s Bluetooth solutions are easy to operate and install.

Next, we made Bluetooth more efficient.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless protocols conserve energy by only transmitting when needed. By using BLE in a Bluetooth lock, we can easily use an alkaline battery for power, just like a regular electronic lock.

Then, we raised the bar on convenience.
We quickly saw the possibilities for applying our Bluetooth research to a popular consumer electronic lock application—home safes

Traditionally, home and gun safes are protected by round keypad locks. They’re a little bulky and they remind everyone of an old-fashioned telephone, but they get the job done.

Or do they? Today’s consumers are used to touchscreen security. They prefer digital interfaces. And since we’re confident in our Bluetooth research and innovation, we decided to take our next safe lock one giant leap further.

We removed the keypad from the safe entirely.
Experience AxisBlu, the world’s first fully secure, keypad-free residential gun safe lock.

Is it secure? Definitely.

Is it easy to use? Certainly.

Does it set an entirely new future for safe lock aesthetics? Absolutely.

Convenience AND reliability? That’s S&G’s smart AND secure solution.

Check out AxisBlu on Amazon. 

Using Design to Reduce Vulnerability

No matter what you protect—facilities, safes, vaults, ATMs—if you’re like most people, you’re concerned about the increasingly sophisticated security threats you see in the news. In addition to physical attacks, today’s security products must withstand hacking and virtual compromise.

And yet, modern spaces and applications also demand aesthetics and convenience. Designing for these requirements—both in product development and for our partners in the fields of architecture and engineering—requires more finesse than ever before.

At S&G, we see security and design as parallel priorities.
We believe that our commitment to great design and unmatched security makes us better on both counts. In many cases, fast-paced changes and threats drive breakthroughs in aesthetics as well as security.

It’s a concept we call responsive innovation. 
Each leap forward builds on our legacy of quality and performance and adds technological complexity without complicating aesthetics or operation. Our goal is to design sleek, unobtrusive security products that lead the industry and continue to inspire the trust we’ve built over 160 years.

We’re committed to protecting the world’s assets while elevating design—now and into the future.

Interested in learning more? Take a look at one recent development in our security and design strategy: the revolutionary aesthetic of our keypad-free safe lock.

Let’s Talk About Making ATMs More Secure

We’ve all read the news: in our increasingly digital, electronic world, it seems like every day brings a new breach, threat, or vulnerability. As consumers and businesses trade off between security and convenience, it’s easy to lose sight of what we can do to minimize or eliminate risks.

As a case-in-point, let’s take ATMs. Millions of these machines are deployed worldwide in banks, businesses, and stand-alone locations. ATMs are full of money and protected by electronic interfaces, so it’s no wonder hackers see them as a prime target.

For the past several years, we’ve seen two kinds of attacks growing in popularity and sophistication. The first, “jackpotting,” takes advantage of unsecured top sections of the machine. The second, side-channel attacks, exploit vulnerabilities in the locks that secure ATM vaults.

Both types of attacks result in serious losses for ATM owners and operators. And both types of attacks are avoidable.

While no security solution can guarantee 100% protection, a few design changes could significantly reduce ATM vulnerabilities to jackpotting and side-channel attacks.

First, a simple design change.
In response to the latest publicized side-channel attack, which reported gaining access to ATM locks in as little as five minutes, S&G’s engineering team conducted vulnerability testing to identify where locks might fail in the face of this type of attack. What we found might surprise you: many ATM locks leave connection points immediately accessible, not stored inside the lock. Using a tamper-resistant, solid ring design instead could deter the vast majority of side-channel attacks by making it more time-consuming and difficult for hackers to gain initial access to the lock’s electronics. 

Then, a security fix.
For years, ATM owners and operators have secured their ATM vaults with high-security locks but left the top of the machine protected only by the customer-facing computer. These units, which often run on older software, are prime targets for hackers. Gaining easy access through the computer, hackers then jackpot the ATM because the hood itself is not locked. Installing a lock in the hood that routes through the same access point as the vault would protect the ATM from jackpotting and increase an operator’s ability to manage ATM access for approved personnel. 

Next, a look at networking.
Another aspect of side-channel attacks involves access codes. In some ATM locks, these static codes are stored in the lock itself in certain operating modes without requiring touch key authentication—an oversight that allows hackers to gain quick and easy access to encryption routines. We recommend removing those codes from ATM locks, and implementing multiple layers of authentication including one-time codes, time windows, and touch keys to deter random code generating attempts. 

We can’t guarantee ATM security, but we can go a lot farther toward protecting it. 

You can read S&G’s vulnerability testing report online for more details. At S&G, we’re working hard to be responsive to threats as they emerge, and engineering solutions that continue to improve security. 

Devon Ratliff
Director of Engineering, Sargent and Greenleaf

Securing the Future with Network Connected Locks

Over the past several years, we’ve seen a proliferation of products leveraging smart technologies into business solutions. Some of us have had our reservations. High-profile data breaches, network failures, and privacy concerns rightfully temper our enthusiasm for the latest and greatest technological advances.

Before coming to Sargent and Greenleaf, I spent a number of years working with customers in the military and the aerospace industry, so I’m quite familiar with the tensions between technology and security. It just makes sense that for a company like S&G—with government, financial, and commercial customers worldwide looking to us for leadership—balancing a heritage of industry-leading engineering with a healthy respect for the security of our customers’ assets is critical.

That’s why, when others began releasing network connected locks, Sargent and Greenleaf stayed in R&D. Coming from more than 25 years in product development, I know that was a tough stand. The benefits of IP locks are obvious: convenience, affordability, scalability, and remote customization, for a start. Some wondered why S&G let others go to market while our team continued to test and improve. The company’s answer, as always, came back to the customers. They know S&G has higher standards, and that we stick to them. Networked access control is no exception.

S&G innovation makes new technology more secure
After a long runway, S&G engineers found a breakthrough that met the stringent requirements the company put in place for IP security systems. The team backstopped security into the device itself. Using proprietary features, S&G built in conditions that meet or exceed industry encryption standards. As an engineer, I can see the incredible work that went into finding this solution. As a new CEO hired to drive new product development, I’m even more thrilled with the results.

At root, we expect our customers to use secure Wi-Fi standards: firewalls, secure VPN, and the like. After that, our device—which we call NexusIP—provides reliable UL- and VdS-tested security. From there, our team built in an easier connection that doesn’t require a peripheral hub, used a standard footprint to simplify installation and modular construction that makes it easy to scale, and developed a software interface that streamlines remote management. As a result, NexusIP isn’t just a flash in the pan. It’s a state-of-the-art solution our customers can trust in their most sensitive applications.

The thinking that makes the difference
It’s that kind of thinking—anticipating threats and creating future-proof solutions—that sets S&G apart. Our customers weren’t sure about IP locks, and they were wise to wait. Our brand of careful innovation is what has earned the trust of so many institutions worldwide for more than 160 years. 

In the end, I’m confident that NexusIP will serve our customers well for years as their businesses and organizations grow and change. And, as it tends to do, S&G’s careful innovation will be what sets the standard for networked access control going forward.

The proof is in the product
I may be new to the game, but there’s a reason I work for S&G. Since taking leadership at the company, I’ve been in the room with some of the brightest engineering and design minds in the business. I’ve observed manufacturing processes that match or exceed any I’ve seen in the last 25 years. I’ve seen the schematics that push each product past the industry standard to make it even better. NexusIP breaks new ground. I’d invite you to check out the specs, look over the tests, and try it out for yourself. 

It looks like IP locks will be the access control of the future. And at S&G, we’re proud to be out in front with a truly reliable networked lock system.

Mark LeMire
CEO, Sargent and Greenleaf

Digital Hood Defense

Digital Hood Defense Extends Vault Security to Hood Access Control
As ATM security went digital, the computer interfaces that added convenience to 24/7 banking left many machines vulnerable. Attackers, who could never physically disarm an ATM vault lock, use jackpotting techniques—gaining access to the ATM by hacking the computer portal of the machine—to bypass ATM security entirely.

How does jackpotting work?
Hackers install malware—malicious computer code—on the ATM, which allows them to either open the safe or cause the ATM to dispense large sums of cash. Jackpotting attacks don’t need to compromise the ATM vault lock, because they work through the vulnerabilities in the computer used in the ATM hood.

Why are ATMs vulnerable to jackpotting?
Most of the 3.24 million ATMs deployed worldwide use minimally protected computer components and software in their customer interfaces located in the top, or hood, of the machine above the vault where money is stored. Hackers can gain access remotely or at the ATM itself, depending on how the machine is networked and designed. While most ATMs have high-security vault locks, the vast majority remain vulnerable through the ATM’s hood.

How can ATM locks be protected?
Banks and ATM manufacturers can take steps to prevent jackpotting attacks against their ATMs.

What is the BEST way to protect ATMs from jackpotting attacks?
When jackpotting emerged as a threat, Sargent and Greenleaf (S&G) developed a revolutionary product designed to extend ATM vault security to the hood of the ATM. As one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of ATM vault locks, S&G used proven mechanical components and leading-edge, high-security technology to develop Digital Hood Defense, with significant benefits for ATM owners and operators, including:

Sargent and Greenleaf not only responds to current attacks, but also designs locks with the flexibility to adapt to emerging threats. Digital Hood Defense offers more than protection against jackpotting—it’s smart security for the future.

Learn more about S&G’s commitment to responsive ATM security.

Reduce Downtime for Remote Access Safe Locks

When you’re running a business, you can’t afford for your security solutions to be offline. Remote access safe locks are no exception. To protect your assets and manage complex operations, reducing maintenance requirements and downtime are critical. Here are a few tips for keeping your remote access safe locks online and running smoothly.

1. Streamline your network.
No surprises here: the more external components your system requires, the more opportunities for breakdowns and requirements for maintenance. To minimize downtime, look for a remote access safe lock solution with minimal peripheral components.

2. Build from existing connectivity.
When you tap into existing network connectivity and hardwiring, you reduce the amount of time you’ll spend on installation, but also find efficiencies in maintenance. Using an existing secure Wi-Fi network, for example, means that the routine maintenance you already perform on the network also extends to your remote access safe locks

3. Consider your power source.
Battery power sounds great until you factor in the time cost of changing batteries regularly. In many cases, battery powered remote access safe locks and peripheral components use a significant amount of energy, making battery changes frequent. Each change requires a technician to access the component at each site—and those resource costs add up fast regardless of the size of your network.

4. Choose durable hardware.
All security hardware requires some maintenance. Be sure you choose a product that’s known for longevity and performance. While you’ll never completely eliminate downtime, choosing a high-quality remote access safe lock helps lower maintenance costs over time. 

NexusIP delivers a high-security, low-maintenance solution.
Sargent and Greenleaf engineers used the latest technological advances to meet modern remote access safe lock requirements without sacrificing security. We took what is commonly considered a complex, high maintenance product and made it more secure, more durable, and more cost-effective to operate over time. Using external power as a main source, and operating through your existing secure Wi-Fi, S&G designed NexusIP to streamline networked safe management: reducing complexity without compromising security standards. 

Learn more about networked safe locks and how NexusIP can help you manage remote safe locks with less maintenance and more uptime.

How to Make a Wi-Fi Safe Lock More Secure

If you’re looking into networked safe locks, you may have heard that you need a peripheral network hub (with a significant added cost, added installation time, and added maintenance) to ensure the lock’s security.

Critical question: If your facilities already have Wi-Fi, why would you need an added hub?

Simple answer: You don’t.

The fact is, Wi-Fi, like any network, may have security vulnerabilities. But a few simple steps—which your organization may already have in place—can make Wi-Fi the more secure and most economical choice. 

Considering a Wi-Fi safe lock? Here’s how to make your network secure.

1. Install firewalls.
Most businesses and organizations already have firewalls in place but check with your IT team to be sure that appropriate firewalls are operational and updated.

2. Use secure VPN.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) not only protects your safe access control, but also ensures appropriate data security. Cost and coverage may vary, but an investment in VPN makes sense for most organizations.

3. Add additional layers of security to your Wi-Fi safe locks.For added protection, your IT team may choose to add additional password protections to your locks even within the secured network, ensuring that only appropriate personnel have access at any time.

4. Check hardware security standards.
It’s not enough to protect your network. If you’re considering a Wi-Fi safe lock, be sure the units themselves were designed and constructed according to the latest and highest industry encryption standards. 

5. Have a backup plan.
Whether you choose a hub-controlled or Wi-Fi safe lock, be sure to have a backup plan in place in case the network or power goes down. Most Wi-Fi safe locks are still accessible at the lock even if the network is unavailable, with wireless synchronization after the network is restored. 

NexusIP sets the standard.
Sargent and Greenleaf engineers look for ways to use the latest technological advances to meet modern requirements without sacrificing security. When it comes to networked safe locks, our team observed that the industry standby—using an external hub component to support the locks—was driven by old information. New options for network security make today’s Wi-Fi networks more secure than ever before. With that in mind, S&G designed NexusIP: a streamlined Wi-Fi safe lock solution that reduces complexity without compromising security standards. 

Learn more about networked safe locks and how NexusIP fits into the big picture of your security program.

How to Find the Most Cost-Effective Networked Safe Lock

Franchises and organizations of all sizes need to find scalable, affordable remote access control solutions. But how do you go about finding the most secure, most cost-effective networked safe lock? Beyond the base cost of each unit, several other factors contribute to the overall picture, both initially and in terms of ongoing maintenance. As you look for the best solution, here are a few points to consider.

1. Cost of peripheral components.
As you look for a networked safe lock solution, you may find that some require additional components beyond the locks themselves. External components like network hubs, wiring, software, and accessories can make the locks a more significant investment.

2. Cost of installation.
If you purchase a networked safe lock that doesn’t fit your current lock’s footprint, you’ll need to factor in the costs of drilling when you retrofit. And the more external components you have, the greater the chance you’ll need specialized tools or more time-consuming installation procedures. Certain types of wired-in network connections may require additional expertise beyond what your usual internal security team or contract installer can provide.

3. Cost of frequent maintenance. 
Don’t overlook power supply as a critical component of the overall cost of networked safe locks. Locks and hubs that run on battery power require significant time to maintain, as someone equipped to change the batteries must physically go to each location and perform the task. In addition to employee time cost, wear-and-tear on company vehicles, and increased risk of robbery while the employee is at the unit, frequent maintenance means frequent downtime—and that lost revenue adds up over time. 

4. Cost of routine maintenance.
All security components require maintenance from time to time. Consider the track record of the lock itself—is it durable, reliable, and rugged enough to withstand daily wear-and-tear? And don’t forget to add in the cost of maintenance for any external components as well. Again, employee time cost becomes critical. Instead of performing routine maintenance, could your employees be working on higher priority projects? 

5. Cost to scale.
Some networked safe lock products require additional hubs to scale up. Looking at the future, if you anticipate growth, be sure to understand what that might mean for your network and your ability to control all of your locks through one interface.

NexusIP offers a secure, accessible, scalable solution.
After more than 160 years of security innovation, Sargent and Greenleaf took on the challenge of making a networked safe lock that was secure, yet economical. Using the latest options for network security, we designed a lock that meets the industry’s highest security standards while also reducing complexity. Working through existing secure Wi-Fi, NexusIP simplifies installation, operation, and maintenance. All you need is the lock and your existing network—no special tools or extra components required.

Learn more about networked safe locks and how NexusIP [link to website page] can help you add cost-effective remote safe management to your business.

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