Security Concern in HAI new Access Control?

[programmergeek]

I was looking at this new card access control reader and was excited till I looked at how they designed/wired it. It looks like HAI routes full 12v power to the controller and also the door strike and exit buttons. The controller gets mounted out side! So all the power and control to the door strikes is accessible to someone trying to break in! What is to prevent someone from unscrewing or prying the reader off the wall and just taking the 12v power and applying it to open the door strike and walking right in?

Also what happens if they use that voltage and put it in or short out the serial connection? Will that burn the HAI controller or burn it out?

Am I missing something here It doesn’t seem like HAI could be this negligent. All door access controls I have ever scene usually have a digital signal to them and the relay to open the door is secured somewhere else.

 

[Brian Yokum]

Access control is just one part security. While it is true that a dedicated and knowledgable thief could do what you propose, the reality is that most thieves would simply kick in the door and ignore the access control system. Remember that the premises are still protected by the security system, which will activate if the door is opened without first disarming the security system. The HAI access control system was designed to make it easy to install in a typical residence or light commercial facility. For high security applications, one can utilize the reader as simply a reader and use the HAI controller to activate a relay at the controller to activate the door strike.

HAI recommends that the readers and door strikes be powered by a separate 12V supply, such as the HAI 83A00-1 Power Hub. Shorting out the power supply will not damage the HAI controller or compromise security.