Door and Window Lock Assessment

While doing this assignment, I followed a sequential and structural process to analyze home and office door and window locks. This entailed an elaborate physical examination of the facilities and a further assessment of reports to get additional insight. Regarding the results obtained during the vulnerability assessment of Swift Service Company, the main objective was to determine the effectiveness and security weaknesses of the door and window locks and re-design them according to the current standards and principles of natural surveillance, territorial amplification, and access control. This approach also makes the assessment effective and comprehensive since it considers real-life situations.

Types of Door Locks Found

Deadbolt Locks

Compared to padlocks, deadbolts offer several additional choices and are often put on exterior doors. There are three main types of deadbolts: thumb-turn lockable, double, and single. A thumb turn (rosary) on the interior and a key cylinder on the exterior are used by single-cylinder deadbolts for opening and closing the lock. There is one main flaw in these deadbolts. The thumb-turn might be used to open the entrance if it is feasible to get inside (via the peephole with basic equipment, or possibly through a neighboring window). This problem is resolved with a twin-cylinder deadbolt, which has a key chamber on both the interior and exterior of the door. The obvious drawback with such locks is that, if the entrance is locked, users will always need a key to unlock it from the interior (Mercan, 2022). In a dire situation such as a fire, this might be a serious issue. Therefore, to guarantee a safe escape in the event of an impending catastrophe, it is highly advised that a key be left inside whenever occupants are present.

The last kind of deadbolt, known as a lockable thumb-turn and mostly utilized by Swift Service Company, is a combination of double and single deadbolts. It has an internal thumb-turn that functions similarly to a standard single-cylinder deadbolt, but it may be secured with a key to prevent it from locking or unlocking the door. This implies that the thumb-turn will function just like a typical single-cylinder deadbolt if it is left unattended while occupants are present. The thumb-turn can be simply locked while everybody is heading out, particularly if they would be gone for a long time, to ensure that no matter how an intruder were to gain entry to the door from the opposite side, the deadbolt would remain unlocked. The most versatility and safety are offered by this kind of door lock at Swift Service Company’s critical access locations.

Mortise Locks

When installing a mortise lock, the outermost portion of the opening or component of furniture must be carved to create a pocket known as the mortise. Mortise locks are often seen on older structures built before drilled cylindrical locks were invented in the majority of the globe, although they have lately started to appear more frequently in upscale dwellings and business settings like Swift Service Company. These locks work by use of a sizable mechanism that slides into the door’s interior. This indicates that a particular dimension of the door is required to allow for the lock (Huang & Lin, 2018). At Swift Service Company, these very dependable locks are employed to prevent any unwanted physical entry in conjunction with closed doors and fences.

Lever Handle Locks

In commercial establishments, lever handle locks are popular since they are easy to use and accessible, especially to the differently abled. Its fundamental construction consists of an outer door handle and an inner handle, along with a lock mechanism that is contained in a drilled hole within the door (Prihanto et al., 2023). These locks can only be locked or opened using a dedicated key. Even when installing lever handle locks, many buildings can benefit from their usability, but as with many door locks, they are still vulnerable to external force being applied in gaining access. In the parts of the offices that require frequent access, Swift Service Company uses lever handle locks but backs them up with security cameras and limited access to work-only areas.

Electronic Keypad Locks

There is a significant rise in the use of electronic keypad locks in the corporate setting as well as in homes. This is attributed to the fact that this type of lock is highly secure and reliable. Electronic locks are operated by an intricately designed but user-friendly numerical keypad; therefore, no key is required to unlock them (Churi et al., 2019). The codes can be set and customized for particular users or groups of users and are flexible in that they can be changed, which is another smart form of security measure. In areas where security is more important, for example, areas housing servers or executives, electronic keypad locks are used at Swift Service Company. The installation of the electronic keypad locks is consistent with the company’s high standards of security that require high authentication and control of the activities of users.

Types of Window Locks Found

Sash Locks

There are frequent misconceptions that sash-style windows are less secure than more modern window styles because of the antiquity of their opening architecture. For many decades, sash-style windows have remained an increasingly common option and are now a standard fixture in historical homes. The purpose of any sash window locking mechanism is to secure the window’s sash and stop it from easily opening. A vertical sliding sash panel has locks fastened to it (Steven, 2019). No matter the material of the window—wood, aluminum, or even uPVC—sash window locks are universal, as noted by Swift Service Company. The corporation has added security cameras to improve security due to their alleged shortcomings.

Casement Window Locks

Casement window locks are fashioned for the types of windows that are opened at the hinges, and they are on the casement side. These locks typically have a bolt that snaps into a receiver that is built into the door frame, which would enable a person to lock the window or door from the interior (Kruty, 2020). Whilst using casement window locks at Swift Service Company, it is further combined with clear physical perimeters and natural surveillance so that these locks cannot be easily meddled with. Since the casement window locks are fixed at strategic places, where visibility is not hampered or obstructed in any way, anyone who tries to tamper with the locks is likely to be detected with ease. Also, because these windows utilize laminated or tempered glass, it becomes extremely difficult for intruders to break in through these windows.

Conclusion

Integrating Smart Lock Technology

Adding smart locking technology to the firm’s door locks would be a perfect enhancement. This involves installing a Smart Lock in the doorframe; as it features a flexible design and blends in perfectly with the company’s current door design, it is the method of choice for interior designers and architects. Physical entry cards and keys are replaced with smart locks, which don’t require fobs. This will be in perfect harmony with the objective of Swift Service Company, which is to monitor staff behavior and improve asset security.

Enhanced Steel Strike Plates and Door Reinforcement

Steel plates should be added to the company’s doors to further strengthen them, particularly those that lead to important spaces like executive offices and server rooms. The essential components of a safe workplace or entry door ought to incorporate this added security measure for reliability and stability. They make it harder for intruders to force open doors.

Window Bars/Grilles

In the case of windows, a constructive change can be the installation of window bars. Such physical features are effective barriers to unauthorized people and can be fitted to allow for easy opening in case of an alarm. Such an approach corresponds to the territorial reinforcement principles at Swift Service Company. Grilles can be of the same style as the building and give extra protection for the windows. This will significantly enhance security for windows, especially in the risky regions.

Window Alarm Installation

Window alarms are an added security measure because they let occupants know that someone or something is adjusting the window. These alarms can be used in complementary with other safety measures at Swift Service Company to prevent window locks from being manipulated and, most importantly, unauthorized entry. These alarms will greatly enhance situational awareness and prompt response.

References

Churi, A., Bhat, A., Mohite, R., & Churi, P. P. (2019). E-zip: An electronic lock for a secure system. 2019 IEEE International Conference on Advances in Electronics, Communication and Computer Technology, ICAECCT 2019, 45–49. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICAECCT.2016.7942553

Huang, H. H., & Lin, Y. M. (2018). DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM USED IN A MULTIPOINT MORTISE LOCK. Https://Doi.Org/10.1139/Tcsme-2016-0079, 40(5), 959–969. https://doi.org/10.1139/TCSME-2016-0079

Kruty, P. (2020). Wright, Spencer, and the Casement Window. Winterthur Portfolio, 30(2/3), 103–127. https://doi.org/10.1086/wp.30.2_3.4618497

Mercan, B. A. (2022). New patterns in residential burglary: The method of deadbolt lock picking. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/14773708221115164, 21(1), 73–91. https://doi.org/10.1177/14773708221115164

Prihanto, S., … N. E.-J. T. I., & 2023, U. (2023). HARDWARE DESIGN OF THE TOUCHLESS HAND CODE AND CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS-BASED AUTOMATIC DOOR SECURITY SYSTEM. Nazrul.Staff.Ugm.Ac.Id, 4(6), 1339–1346. https://doi.org/10.52436/1.jutif.2023.4.6.1117

Steven, S. (2019). Early Brass Sash Locks in the United States. APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology, 50(2/3), 67–72. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26803335

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Door and Window Lock Assessment

Topic: Based on this week’s lectures, take an inventory of door and window locks in your living area or place of work to identify areas of concern and improvement. Remember to get permission from security.
Instructions: Please download the Assignment 3 Door and Window Lock Assessment template (MS Word), which is already in APA 7 format, using size 12 Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, TOC, Headings, and Reference page. If you insert images or tables in your report, make sure you label them appropriately according to APA. Once completed, name your file: YourName_Assignment_3_Door_and_Window_Lock_Assessment.docx and submit to this dropbox.