The search for a safe home for privacy and security has existed ever since human beings first built a permanent homestead The ropelifted beam behind the door may have given way to an electronic lock triggered by a plastic card with more combinations than there are atoms in the universe but the urge to shut out the bad guys remains The appeal of a lock and key is to some extent psychological Recently various companies have experimented with computerised locking systems where smart cards swiped through a reader control electronic locks by means of a digital command But people dont like them You may be prepared to put up with it at work but at home everyone wants the reassurance of turning a physical key in a lock As a result when one locksmith company developed a new electronic system they made sure they incorporated a proper metal key into the device