Exploring the Difference between Digital and Traditional Locks
When getting a Digital lock upgrade, you need to explore the difference between Digital Locks and Traditional Locks.
The modern world is increasingly becoming more digital. Businesses, homes, and other establishments are moving away from traditional locks and security systems and embracing digital ones.
Digital locks use digital technology to control access to anything from cars to buildings. They often have enhanced security features, such as being remotely unlocked or monitored.
On the other hand, traditional locks rely on mechanical keys or combinations of levers or pins to open them. While they may still provide a measure of security, they can be picked or broken into much more accessible than digital ones.
Advantages / Disadvantages of Digital locks and traditional locks
1)Digital Locks
Advantages:
- Digital locks provide an added layer of security, as they are more challenging to pick and can be programmed with a personal code.
- They run on batteries and eliminate the need for rekeying when keys are lost or stolen.
- Easier installation since no manual keyholes are used.
Disadvantages:
- Higher initial cost compared to traditional locks.
- Risk of battery failure if not appropriately maintained.
- Also vulnerable to hacking if the locks are connected to a network or Wi-Fi system.
2)Traditional Locks
Advantages of traditional locks:
- Traditional locks are one of the most affordable and readily available forms of security.
- They provide an additional layer of physical security, making unauthorized access to your property difficult.
- Traditional locks are simple to use
- A key is all needed to access the space, making them convenient and user-friendly.
Disadvantages of traditional locks:
- Traditional locks can be picked or bypassed with the right tools, making them vulnerable to potential break-ins.
- If a key is lost or stolen, someone else may have access to your property if they can duplicate it.
- In some cases, traditional locks can be difficult and time-consuming to install correctly, which could lead to a lapse in security coverage.
Overview of the Technology Behind Digital Locks
Electronic Locking Mechanisms:
Digital locks use electronic mechanisms to securely control access to restricted areas. The most common type of digital lock is an electromagnetic lock which uses an electric current to create a strong magnetic field that can keep the door locked until released by authorized personnel.
Keypads and Smartcards:
Some digital locks have keypads or smartcards that allow users to gain access by entering a specific code or swiping the card through a reader. These systems provide additional security as codes can be changed regularly, so unauthorized personnel cannot access the area even if they know the code.
Biometric Systems:
Another popular system for controlling access is biometric technology, which uses unique physical characteristics like fingerprints or iris recognition to identify individuals and grant them access. This system offers secure authentication, as it is virtually impossible for anyone but the authorized user to gain access.
Networked Access Control Systems:
Finally, many modern “Smart” digital locks are connected to a networked access control system, allowing administrators to manage multiple locks from one central location. By using the network, administrators can restrict or grant access based on certain criteria, such as time of day
Overview of the Technology Behind Traditional Locks
Lock Cylinder:
This is the main component of a traditional lock. It contains a keyway, which holds the pins, and tumblers, which allow the lock to open when the correct key is inserted.
Key:
The key is the primary means by which the user gains access to their locked items. Keys are made from various materials such as brass and steel and feature unique teeth that interact with the pin tumblers inside the lock cylinder for it to open.
Pin Tumblers:
These are small cylindrical rods set in place within the internal chamber of a lock cylinder, arranged at different depths and angles to match up with specific grooves in a key’s blade.
Springs:
Springs are used to moving the pin tumblers back into their original place once a key has been inserted and removed.
Latch Bolt:
Once unlocked, this part of a lockset allows users to open doors or other fixed items secured by it by pushing or pulling its corresponding knob or handle. It can also be held securely closed when engaged with a strike plate mounted on an adjacent surface.
Security Comparison for Digital locks and Traditional Locks
1)Digital locks are almost impossible to pick, as the mechanism requires a combination or programmable code to open the lock.
You can pick traditional locks relatively easily if an unauthorized person has access to the right tools.
2) Digital locks can be programmed remotely by authorized personnel and require no physical access to the location where the lock is installed. This makes them ideal for secure areas that need to restrict access even when someone is not physically present.
Traditional locks must be opened manually and cannot be operated remotely, making them less secure in some situations.
3) Digital locks are also more secure due to their ability to store multiple user codes and track who has accessed the area at any given time. This feature can help detect suspicious activity and identify potential entry points for unauthorized persons.
Traditional locks do not have this capability and can only be used as a deterrent against unwanted visitors.
4) Digital locks are also designed with several layers of security like multiple authentications like 4-6, some locks like Aqara A100 & D100 has 9 different authentications, which includes fingerprint readers or key cards, that require multiple distinct actions before gaining access permitted.
But the multiple authentication feature is non-existent at any traditional locks that you see!
Summing Up!
As we bid our farewells to the reliable old-fashioned lock, let us take a moment to appreciate the convenience of digital locks. A traditional lock may be reliable, but its digital successor has provided us with improved security, better access control, and much more flexibility in terms of installation and design.
It’s time for us to enter the future of home security with digital locks. After all, that’s what progress is all about! Feel free to go and check out our Top-branded Digital locks.