Bloopers

Engineered security is like a chain. It's only as strong as the weakest link.

On the Bloopers page, you'll find several real-world examples from the security branch. Our intention is mainly educational. The photos' properties have been removed so that identification linking to an address is impossible.

It's all in the details

A criminal looks through eyes that are different from the average client's. A criminal notices small, seemingly unimportant details. Details that can undermine an entire set of security measures. It's often said: "But the criminal first has to find them." That's right! But, considering the number of break-ins that occur daily, it would seem that they're reasonably successful.

Access door

Wooden panel door on a VIP's residence with a weak wooden middle panel, no key cabinet, flimsy lock and brass hinges unscrewable from the outside.

Nice entrance

In this VIP residence, the standard leaded glass has been replaced with new leaded glass frames, placed in burglar-resistant double glazing. Lots of cost and effort Resistance time: a few seconds. The locks and hinges can be opened easily with a screwdriver. Kudos to the architect: it is nice and thin, after all!

Shutter with easily manipulated padlock

A heavy steel rolling shutter (such as BORG class 4) with a built-up padlock on the attack side. This standard padlock is easy to manipulate - e.g., by drilling, yanking the core, drilling in the side and removing the chain. Now it gets really easy. The wiring can easily be jumped below the lock! A move by security people with no vision!

Strong steel sliding gate with breakable tumbler lock

A steel sliding gate that's locked with a Europrofile tumbler lock. However, the cylinder protrudes around 18 mm; it couldn't be any easier for a burglar. This tumbler is just asking to be broken off. The entire opening action (performed by an amateur) need not take any longer than 10 to 20 seconds. How does this period of delay compare with the costs?

Lots of work, not much security

A computer shop somewhere in the Netherlands, secured by amateurs. Each day, the placement and removal of this rigamarole means lots of work for the store personnel - and it's ugly as sin to boot. Lots of money and effort for nothing. Those padlocks wouldn't hold up for more than 2 seconds to a bolt cutter. The day fence is locked with a bike lock that you could even screw off from the outside.

A botch job

The store front of a large jeweller somewhere in the Netherlands. Sunken anti-ramming barriers (stainless steel) with a closable T-fitting These T-fittings can be easily knocked off with a hammer. After which the workings can be manipulated with a screwdriver and the barrier sinks back down into the ground. Cost: considerable. Estimated time of resistance: five seconds. Did you also notice the little padlock at the bottom of the rolling shutter? Keep snoozing, Mr. Security man. Poor jeweller.

Weak security

Another jeweller. In a lower price segment, but still. An aluminium frame mounted with heavy burglary-resistant glazing and integrated detection wires. In short, no expense or effort spared. However, aluminium and plastic windows are very weak and often hollow. The material thickness of such tube profiles is usually between 1 and 1.5 mm. What do you think the single-turn screws are biting into then? Did you notice the wide divider post? Often, a criminal will just drill a big hole through this and empty this part of the display (without triggering an alarm). A textbook example of blind "cooperation" between the construction and electronic security companies. With the customer as the victim.

Simple

Another shutter with the operating controls on the outside. Here, too, the wiring can be easily stripped off and jump-connected.

Had a few laughs?

Bloopers are fun to see, but security is a serious business, of course. So obtain advice from professionals. We'll be glad to help you with good advice and proper implementation. Call +31 263610909 at your convenience or send us an e-mail.

Want to know more about how things should go (or shouldn't) when it comes to security? The check out the series of articles published under the title of Peppi & Kokki versus Mickey Mouse and written by Wim van den Hoogen was published in the (Dutch) trade magazine Beveiliging. Here you'll find even more tips about how things shouldn't and mustn't be done. And about how things should be done.