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Monday, January 6th, 2020 9:58 PM

Door Lock Security Issue

A few of us Architects, designers etc. that specify Simplisafe on our projects were discussing the lock and pin pad the other evening and one major question came up. This issue is when the pin pad is used to unlock the door it also disarms to system. Only one in our group did not feel that this is a security issue based on the following.

The pin pad being located on the outside of the structure allows anyone to use the code or at least try to use the code. Once they are successful they now have access to the disarmed house. One example is anyone casing someone's residence could very easily sit some distance away and watch with binoculars to see the code when you unlock your door. You leave and all they have to do is wait a few minutes use the code and they are now in your unprotected residence.

Another example is you unlock your lock with the pin and someone then pushes you inside the house do you harm.... but the alarm is off because you used the pin pad.  Most of us were taught to unlock the door go in and close the door before unarming any alarm system to protect ourselves from these type of situations.

There should be a option to allow the lock to function as it does now [for owners that prefer to have this convenience over better security]  as well as a setting to only unlock the lock [even if it would require a separate pin #] and leave the alarm on so these situations can't happen...... more secure residence.

All that said the locks work fine and are a great addition to any system, but a small software change for this option would greatly improve the security of the residence while still having the convenience of unlocking the door.  We are all curious as to how others feel about this as well as Simplisafe.

8 Messages

5 years ago

A few of talked about this issue and still think it is a security issue. But from no commentary here I guess most don't any issue.

179 Messages

5 years ago

A2, I think you bring up good points.

8 Messages

5 years ago

We as a group that specify 100s of Simplisafe systems a year but found this to be a serious security issue. From the response here it looks like most end users are not concerned.  Most of us have stopped specifying till we see something to allow clients to be more secure when unlocking a door. We like the system and feel it is a great value to the end user except for this issue.

1.2K Messages

5 years ago

It sounds like you want a lock thats NOT tied into the alarm system so wouldn't it be easier to just buy another brand lock to compliment your SS system?

8 Messages

5 years ago

That is a possibility but you then loose a lot of the app features relative to the lock. We find it is always better to not mix manufacturers on many systems including security. This should be a simple software fix allowing the lock to function either way.

1.2K Messages

5 years ago

You could consider using August locks which are fully compatible with SS.  You'll still get the functionality of the lock auto locking when you press home or away, but could unlock it separate from the alarm system, either with the August app or the geo location.  Either would still require you to disarm the SS system once inside.

179 Messages

5 years ago

The August lock that drunkpenguin mentioned above does not have a pin pad.

But not sure that fixes all your concerns.

1 Message

4 years ago

I agree with making this an option via the software.  It can be, IMO, a security issue.  I'd also like to see a feature added to PIN assignment that would allow the owner to set date(s)/day(s) of the week/time of the day restrictions for a PIN to be valid.  This would be helpful in any number of circumstances that I can think of (single use access, work being done spanning a certain number of days, but would only want to allow access during certain times, etc.).  I would love to see the Simplisafe developers add all of this functionality to their system specifically as it relates to their door lock.

1 Message

4 years ago

Agree with above.  A "door-unlock only' PIN mode would make me feel less concerned about security breaches.   Seems to me that this is a software upgrade rather than hardware so should be a feasible request.  Also, having Secondary PINS that expire would also be a great addition so we can give them to pet-sitters, house-sitters, etc.

1 Message

4 years ago

I agree with the original poster. I purchased a Simplisafe smart lock assuming that an unlock-only pin would be an option. I was surprised and frustrated, after installation, to find out that the smartlock lacks this feature.

Especially for those who live in city environments, having doors that open directly to busy sidewalks, it is concerning to think that a pin-pad just outside the door is capable of both unlocking the door and disarming the alarm--all with the single pin that any onlooker can watch being regularly typed in. An unlock-only pin would go a long way to easing that concern.

If it is possible in addition, I agree with dbashamjr's suggestions (above) that another useful feature would be to have scheduled pins - i.e., pins that are deactivated at certain times of day, and/or pins that are inactive when the system is set to "home," are examples of ideas that should be considered.

2 Messages

2 years ago

I'm surprised to see this was suggested 3 years ago and it's still not implemented. This is the sole reason I haven't purchased 2 of these door locks already.

SAME!!

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