As we close out the year and look to 2024, I can’t think of a better time to bring together some of the top thought leaders for a webinar looking at one of, if not the top trend going on within locksmithing today, which is the continued evolution of electronic access control as locksmiths broaden their services beyond just mechanical locks. If you’d like to dive deeper into our research on the topic, please read our 2023 Locksmith Ledger State of the Industry report, which has data and analysis on how locksmiths view electronic access control, as well as other trends, issues and topics of the day.

For the Locksmith Ledger webinar on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. ET, I will be moderating a panel including locksmithing veteran Glenn Younger, owner, Grah Safe and Lock, based in San Diego, Calif.; Joshua Sands, owner, Key City Locksmith and Security in Kansas City, Mo., and vice president and director of Education for the Missouri-Kansas Locksmith Association; Chris Donohue, director of sales, Alarm Lock, who has more than 25 years in the electronic security industry, starting his career fresh out of the Army as a technician working on access control, fire, CCTV, and security systems; and Mauricio Lainez, product development manager, SDC, who also brings more than 25 years of experience in the physical security industry, having begun his career in 1998 as a security systems engineer, with a focus on system integration, design, technical support and new product development.

Register here for the Dec. 7 Webinar.

For the webinar, Strategies to Convert Entryways to Electronic Access Control (EAC), we will look at where locksmiths are on this continuum that has moved from mechanical locks to stand-alone systems with an audit trail, to more sophisticated systems that are connected to other systems within a building, interfacing and integrating with fire safety/life safety systems, video surveillance systems (CCTV), communications systems, and non-security systems such as HVAC, for example. In an integrated system, EAC systems allow users to be granted access into various areas or limited areas, track and provide attendance records, and as a safety feature and for emergency response situations, determine where people are located within a facility.  

In addition to the discussion, we will be leaving ample time for a virtual Q&A, so have your questions ready for this great panel of security experts, as we will be tackling some of the key steps and strategies locksmiths need to consider as they move forward in this electronic access movement. And for those looking to advance their education, the session is eligible for CEUs through the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA).

Hope to see you there!

Paul Ragusa