26.03.2021 Solutions

How to Make Sure Installation Is Secure? Episode 1. Physical Security

We are preparing a series of articles which will help you check whether you are installing 2N products securely. Today, we will focus on often overlooked accessories. Consider them in each of your projects.

These accessories only cost a fraction of the price of an intercom/smart reader. But they can have a major benefit in preventing unauthorized people from entering the building. It’s you who is risking your reputation or any potential future projects with your customer. What could happen?

Open an intercom’s frame

You cannot truly prevent it, but you can at least ensure building security is notified when this happens. This is achieved with the use of a tamper switch. If someone unscrews the front case of an intercom or reader, the tamper switch activates an alarm. The relay is already inbuilt in most products, and for those products which don’t have it, you can get it as an extra accessory.

Automation then also allows you to handle more complex scenarios so that the device can react on its own. For example, the intercom could notify a security agency or take a photo of the vandal. Inspect the following table, and always make sure to order the right accessories and correctly set up the tamper switch.

Product Tamper Switch Complex scenarios (Automation)
2N® IP Verso yes, 9155038 yes, you also need 9155034
2N® LTE Verso yes, 9155038 yes, you also need 9155034
2N® IP Solo yes, inbuilt yes
2N® IP Force yes, 9151010 yes
2N® IP Safety yes, 9151010 yes
2N® IP Vario no no
2N® IP Base yes, inbuilt yes
2N® IP Uni yes, inbuilt no
2N Access Unit 2.0 yes, inbuilt yes
2N Access Unit M yes, inbuilt yes

Battery-actuated locks

Lock and notebookBurglars can also find ways to access the cables which connect the intercom to the lock. At that point, all they need to do is cut the cable, attach a 12V battery and the door will open. Does that alarm you? Well, it doesn’t have to. Purchase a security relay for each intercom and reader.

Simply install the relay between the active output (OUT) of the intercom/reader and the lock, and then pair it with the 2N device. This will ensure that before each attempt to open the door, the security relay will wait for a verification code from the intercom/reader. If the code arrives, the relay actuates the connected lock which opens the door. If a burglar attempts to open the door using a 12V battery, the door will remain closed. A description of how to connect the relay is in our FAQ, but we also provide a short summary below.

  1. Always connect the security relay to the active OUT output designed to control the lock.
  2. Install the security relay inside the building. For example, into the soffit or wall. The aim is to prevent someone from the outside accessing the cable which connects the relay and lock.
  3. Connect the relay to the lock. On the output, select between an active 12V output (OUT) for a low-power lock and an electromagnetic relay (RELAY 1) for a high-power lock.

Always install a security relay for the door on the outside of the building. If you want to create a highly secure installation, equip each installed intercom and reader with a security relay, even those located in internal areas.

Do not underestimate the importance of small accessories

They can have a fundamental impact on the entire installation. Do you want to discuss the security of your installation?

Contact a sales representative