The Hidden Dangers in Aging Access Control Systems

In 2011, a security consultant found an alarming vulnerability in a prison access control system. The consultant's team ran an experiment to show just how dangerous it was. Using only 30 lines of code and $2,500 in off-the-shelf software tools, they managed to remotely open prison cell doors. The weakness they exploited wasn't a temporary glitch; it was baked into the system's design.

Because the system's hardware and software were outdated, the flaw couldn't be fixed with a simple update. The only way to restore security was to rip out the old system entirely and install a new one.

That kind of forced replacement is expensive, disruptive, and avoidable — and it isn't a unique scenario. Companies across industries rely on access control systems, which are prime examples of connected products that are often aging, unmonitored, or long past their last security update. It's the kind of risk that often stays invisible until something goes very wrong.

Let's look at a few real-world access control examples where stakes are high, and how remote monitoring and management can prevent failures before they become emergencies.

The Apartment Building Lockout No One Saw Coming

It's 9:30 p.m. on a rainy Thursday. A young couple just got home from dinner, juggling leftovers and an umbrella, only to find that their key fob won't unlock the front door of their apartment building. They try again. Nothing. A neighbor buzzes them in, and as they walk down the hall, they notice other residents fiddling with doors and calling the building manager in frustration.

The problem wasn't hardware failure. It wasn't even a bad update. The issue was that the system never got the update at all. Because the access control provider used a manual, ad-hoc update process, a critical patch slipped by and never got installed. And without a remote monitoring system in place, no one noticed the oversight until the calls started pouring in.

This is exactly the type of issue that remote monitoring and automation are built to solve. With smart automation in place, the system could have updated itself during low-traffic hours, checked its own health, and alerted support staff to any anomalies before residents ever noticed a problem. This ability to see and solve problems automatically is the cornerstone of effective connected product management.

To see automation in action, check out ButterflyMX's story. With Canopy, the company automates software and firmware updates across its entire portfolio of smart access control systems, saving its support team over 1,000 hours per month while improving performance across thousands of buildings.

The Storage Facility Breach That Could Have Been a Disaster

Imagine a large self-storage facility with hundreds of units, all secured by a centralized access control system. One morning, the system goes down without warning. Customers can't access their units, and the facility manager has no idea why. Even worse, the system's default behavior during a reboot is to unlock all doors for emergency access.

In this scenario, a single point of failure compromises the security of every stored item on-site. Whether it's a vacationing family's heirlooms or a contractor's tools, the fallout from a breach like this would be devastating for both customers and the facility's reputation.

A [[remote monitoring and management]] (RMM) system would have flagged signs of trouble, like inconsistent power delivery or network instability, before it crashed. A support team could have intervened remotely, isolating the problem or switching to a safe mode without triggering a full shutdown. By connecting to and monitoring the entire access control ecosystem – from controllers and scanners to power supplies and network connections – an effective RMM solution provides complete visibility into system health. Customers wouldn't have noticed a thing. The manager could keep their phone off and enjoy their weekend.

Visibility is key to maintaining system performance. Take it from OpenTech. The self-storage provider stays on top of failures using remote monitoring and management tools, such as automatic alerts when internet or power outages occur.

The Office Where Everyone Had Access… Including People Who Shouldn't

Picture a mid-sized marketing agency operating on a flexible, hybrid schedule. Employees come in on staggered days, freelancers swing by for project work, and the IT team is remote half the week. At first, the building's access control system seems like it's keeping up. But over time, things start to slip.

One day, a new employee can't get in. Their badge wasn't added to the system. A week later, a recently departed contractor's access still works. Eventually, someone notices that a former employee who left months ago can still unlock the front door. No one had thought to revoke access, and the system offered no reminders or oversight.

RMM helps access control operators centralize control to avoid messes like these. Credential updates can be handled remotely and synced automatically with the company's HR system. Suspicious access attempts could trigger alerts. IT wouldn't need to be on-site or spend hours cleaning up old entries, because the system would be doing the heavy lifting.

Why You Can't Afford to Wait for Something to Break

Access control systems tend to fall into the "if it's not broken, don't fix it" category. But the moment they do break, the consequences include costly repairs, lost revenue, angry customers, and in some cases, major safety concerns.

Here's what access control providers should remember to stay ahead of these fallouts, whether they're servicing correctional facilities, apartments buildings, or something else:

• If a system can't be patched, it has to be replaced. Replacement is expensive and disruptive, especially for multi-site facilities or mission-critical operations.
• Security isn't optional. As soon as your system connects to a network, it becomes part of the broader attack surface. Hoping nothing goes wrong isn't a strategy.
• RMM is essential. Remote monitoring and management gives providers early warning signs, faster response times, and fewer on-site visits. It shifts access control security from reactive to proactive.

Don't Wait for a Wake-Up Call

Today's access control systems are no longer just locks and keys. They're connected, software-driven devices that require regular oversight. Like any part of a modern tech stack, they need updates, monitoring, and maintenance to stay secure.

Find out how Canopy helps access control providers avoid downtime, reduce support costs, and secure access points without ripping and replacing every time something goes wrong.