LAKE FOREST, Calif. (August 25, 2010) – Kwikset®, in an effort to demonstrate the superior pick-resistance of the award-winning SmartKey® Signature Series™ deadbolt with BumpGuard™ protection, recently hosted a lock-picking competition for professional locksmiths at the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Convention in Orlando, Fla. Since its introduction in 2007, Kwikset’s SmartKey has been highly-successful due to its re-key technology, which allows homeowners to re-key their own locks, quickly and easily in seconds, without removal from the door for improved security and access control. 

The results of the lock-picking competition at ALOA demonstrated that out of the 56 SmartKey deadbolts that locksmiths attempted to pick, only one lock was successfully picked, at a time of eight minutes and 16 seconds. Of the 56 Schlage® SecureKey™ deadbolts that locksmiths attempted to pick, 44 were successfully picked, one in as fast as 7.16 seconds. In percentages, Kwikset’s SmartKey was picked in less than 2 percent of attempts, while Schlage’s SecureKey was picked in over 78 percent of lock-picking attempts. In fact, while given a full 10 minutes to attempt a successful pick, 20 of the locksmiths who were able to pick SecureKey, were able to do so in less than 60 seconds.

ALOA Professional Lock-Picking Competition
Qualified and interested locksmiths volunteered and were selected on a first-come, first-serve basis onsite in the tradeshow booth. Participants were given 10 minutes to attempt to pick a brand-new Schlage SecureKey deadbolt. The same participants were given another 10 minutes to attempt to pick a brand-new Kwikset SmartKey deadbolt. All of the locks were purchased by a third party, removed from its packaging on-site and installed on a mount for each locksmith at the beginning of each contest. As per the rules of the competition, the one locksmith who was successful at picking the Kwikset SmartKey deadbolt was awarded a $5,000 cash prize. The 44 locksmiths who were able to pick the Schlage SecureKey deadbolt were each awarded $100 gift cards. At the conclusion of the show, the locksmith with the fastest lock-picking time in the competition, 7.16 seconds for Schlage’s SecureKey, received a cash prize of $1,000.

“It was great to be back at ALOA this year,” said Brent Flaharty, vice president of marketing, Kwikset. “Our goal was to showcase that our SmartKey products are of the highest-possible quality, as well as technologically innovative. I think the results of the lock-picking competition show that SmartKey is a superior product in the marketplace.” 

About SmartKey
Kwikset’s SmartKey combines the simplicity of re-keying in seconds without removing the lock from the door, the pick-resistance to withstand the highest levels of UL testing, and the security of BumpGuard, to protect against lock-bumping attacks. Since the technology was first introduced in 2007 in the mid-price point products, Kwikset has expanded the availability of this technology to all box pack keyed-entry products. This expansion has given a greater number of homeowners the ability to provide their families with improved home security, peace of mind, and convenience.

“In the past, if you lost a key or you loaned a key to someone and didn’t get it back, you would have to hire a locksmith to come out and re-key your lock, costing you time and money,” continued Flaharty. “SmartKey enables you to quickly and easily re-key your own lock, so you never have to go an extra minute worrying about whether or not the security of your home is compromised. This kind of peace of mind is something we all value, but it shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few who can afford it. We’re aiming to make superior, smart and simple home security available and affordable.” 

Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts and locks feature a patented side-locking bar technology, central to the locks’ ability to be rapidly and easily re-keyed. This stainless steel side-locking bar also replaces the traditional pin and tumbler design that is particularly vulnerable to increasingly popular lock-bumping attacks. Additionally, the cylinder uses two steel balls inserted into the front of the key face to provide improved drill resistance. Delivering outstanding strength and protection, SmartKey deadbolts and locks have passed the most stringent lock-picking standard, UL 437, par. 11.6, as well as delivered outstanding results at the recent ALOA professional lock-picking competition.

About Kwikset
Stanley Black & Decker, an S&P 500 company, is a diversified global provider of hand tools, power tools and related accessories, mechanical access solutions and electronic security solutions, engineered fastening systems, and more. 

The Stanley Black & Decker Hardware and Home Improvement Group (HHI) is part of the company’s Mechanical Access Solutions division. HHI develops, manufactures, markets and sells builders’ hardware, residential and commercial door hardware, kitchen and bath faucets, shower systems and bath accessories under the Stanley®, National Hardware®, Kwikset®, Weiser ®, Baldwin ®, and Price Pfister® brands. Headquartered in Orange County, Calif., HHI has a global sales force and operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Asia.