Notice Board
Future-Proofing Security with New Standards
» THE DISCOVERY LAST YEAR OF NEW , aggressive door lock attack methods sent shockwaves through the locksmithing industry . These attacks , capable of breaching most standard locks , prompted a swift response from the British Standards Institution ( BSi ), culminating in a substantial revision of the PAS24 security standard . This update , which incorporates new tools specifically designed to test these advanced attack techniques , aims to keep the industry a step ahead of criminals and safeguard homes and businesses .
The changes to PAS24 , which took effect as of September 2024 , are a clear message to the industry : complacency is not an option . While most revisions to UK lock standards are incremental , the pace and breadth of these changes are unprecedented . It marks a milestone not just in security , but in how the industry collectively responds to emerging threats .
Nick Dutton , CEO of Brisant-Secure , emphasises : “ When lock manufacturers became aware of these two aggressive attack methods last year , the reality was that most locks would be defenceless against them . Adding new testing tools has made the standard the toughest ever .
“ Like BSi , Brisant-Secure is always looking to be one step ahead , which is why we ’ re the first to have a lock successfully tested and accredited with the new tools .
The process to having sellable locks is long , and not one we ’ d want to start when the changes were first announced .
“ Once you ’ ve thought of the innovations behind the concept , there ’ s the lock redesign , and IP ( Intellectual Property ) checking . Then there ’ s the tooling production and testing to prove the new locks work before you can progress to production and shipping . Normally that would take two to three years . But because our patented ALPS ( Always Locked Protection System ) technology was accredited in March , our customers can expect to see Ultion with ALPS technology rolled out very soon . Another Ultion first !”
The new PAS24:2022 + A1:2024 standard isn ’ t just a response to new attacks , it ’ s a proactive measure to prevent them from becoming widespread . This is a critical shift . In the past , the industry has often found itself reacting to threats after they have already become common knowledge among burglars . High-profile cases of lock picking , bumping , blow torching and snapping have historically driven changes in lock design and security standards , but only after these methods became prevalent . The current update is designed to get ahead of the curve and ensure that the locks being produced today can withstand these new techniques , even before they hit the mainstream .
According to a recent report by The Office for National Statistics ( ONS ), there were over 267,000 burglaries in England and Wales between March 2022 and March 2023 . Alarmingly , a significant proportion of these break-ins occurred through lock manipulation techniques that rendered many standard locks ineffective . Another study by Sold Secure indicates that approximately 60 % of successful burglaries involve forced entry , often exploiting vulnerabilities in locks that do not meet enhanced security standards .
The revised standards include testing with four additional tools , each designed to replicate the kind of force and manipulation burglars could use to break into a property . These new tools mirror the updates made earlier this year to Sold Secure ’ s Diamond ( SS312 ) standard . Achieving the new PAS24 accreditation is no small feat , and it ’ s expected that many current locks on the market will struggle to meet the requirements . This presents an immediate challenge for manufacturers and locksmiths , but also a significant opportunity .
For both residential and commercial locksmiths , the new standards bring a renewed focus on product knowledge and customer education . It highlights the importance of providing locks that go beyond meeting outdated standards , offering protection against the latest attack methods . It ’ s a chance to provide real value to customers by offering products that are truly future-proofed .
The introduction of Brisant ’ s ALPS technology as part of their Ultion lock range sets a new benchmark in security . It is currently the only system to have passed the new test , highlighting the company ’ s dedication to providing locksmiths with cutting-edge products . Nick Dutton reveals that the new ALPS technology will be offered as a no-cost upgrade to Ultion ’ s existing product range , ensuring that their customers , and by extension , their customers ’ customers , are protected against these emerging threats .
www . ultion-lock . co . uk
NOVEMBER 2024
5
Issue Sponsor locksmithjournal . co . uk