How secure are electronic deadbolts and smart locks?

For those of us in the door hardware industry, smart locks are a no-brainer. They’ve quickly become indispensable in offices, hospitals, hotels, and many other professional locations, but many consumers are still learning about the possibilities that smart locks can offer at home. “Are they really secure?” is a question we hear frequently. Let’s take a look at the security behind Schlage smart locks.

RESIDENTIAL SECURITY GRADING

The first thing you should know is that a group of industry experts called the Builders Hardware Manufacturing Association (BHMA) set national standards regarding the security level, durability and finish quality of door hardware products. This helps locksmiths, building managers and other professionals ensure that they are using the right hardware in the right places, especially when they have to adhere to local building code requirements.

To help homeowners make the same decisions about which hardware is best for their home, the BHMA created a set of standards specific to residential door hardware. This includes three categories - Security, Durability and Finish – with rigid criteria for testing hardware to ensure it meets either a C (good), B (better) or A (best) grade in each category. Most Schlage products receive a AAA, which means they have received the best possible grades in Security, Durability and Finish.

So what does all that really mean? It means that all of our products, whether mechanical or electronic, run through all kinds of heavy-duty, intense testing procedures – including hitting it with a sledgehammer really hard. So regardless of what kind of lock you buy, you know you’ll be getting a product that has been tested against the rigorous demands of daily usage. Our Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt, Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt with Alarm, and Schlage Touch™ Keyless Touchscreen Deadbolt and Lever have all received a grade A in security, the best possible grade to keep your home, and everything inside it, safe.

WHAT ABOUT HACKERS?

We’ve all heard about the neighbor’s garage door code getting hacked. The good news is that these days that story is a bit of an urban legend. Some garage door codes were compromised back when the technology was new, but major strides have been made in electronic security since then, making these types of hacks much more difficult to pull off. Basically, if you’re comfortable ordering items from Amazon, you can trust that the connection between your Schlage smart lock and your smartphone is just as secure.

Besides, blunt-force attacks at your home’s entry points are much more effective than sophisticated electronic methods. The rising popularity of home security systems is putting a dent in traditional break-ins as well, however, making smart locks that integrate with home security systems an increasingly effective solution. Together, they add a layer of electronic security to your home, that allows you to keep better track of who’s coming and going, and when.

Locks that add extra security without requiring a smart home or security system are also on the rise. The Schlage Encode and Schlage Sense locks are great examples. With multiple options to connect your lock to the cloud, you can receive real-time notifications and view a history of who used the lock and when. There’s also a built-in alarm that sounds when a disturbance is detected at the door or if the wrong code is entered repeatedly.

SPARE KEYS ARE A SAFETY FAUX PAS

There’s an added security element to simply doing away with spare keys and using access codes instead. Codes are easier to control. If a code becomes compromised, simply delete it. There’s no need to rekey or buy new locks because a key has been lost. A lock without a cylinder, like the completely keyless Schlage Touch lock, also eliminates the possibility of picking or bumping because there’s no keyhole for intruders to manipulate.

As you can see, electronic locks are a smart choice for any home. They can save time, add convenience, and make it safer and easier to share access by eliminating spare keys. Paired with the easy installation and exceptional customer service that Schlage is known for, adding one of our electronic deadbolts or smart locks to your home is an easy step toward a safer, simpler home.

If you’re not sure which Schlage smart lock is right for you, try our interactive Get Help Deciding Tool.

Article Courtesy: https://www.schlage.com/blog/categories/2019/06/smart-lock-security.html