Smart locks can be a secure and practical choice for Chicago businesses—but only when the lock, door hardware, credentials, network and maintenance plan work together. A recent federal cybersecurity advisory involving a smart-lock mobile application is a useful reminder that connected locks are not merely pieces of door hardware. They are complete security systems with physical and digital components.

For business owners, property managers and facility teams, the right question is not simply, “Is a smart lock safe?” The better question is: “Has this access system been selected, installed and maintained for the way this building actually operates?”

Why smart-lock security is in the news

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recently published an advisory concerning the igloohome Smart Lock mobile application. According to CISA, successful exploitation of the reported vulnerability could allow an unauthorized actor to access functions or backend services. The advisory identifies affected application versions and directs users to the manufacturer’s mitigation guidance.

This was a product-specific advisory. It does not mean that all smart locks are unsafe. It does show why buyers should evaluate software support and cybersecurity alongside the cylinder, latch, strike and door.

The locksmith industry is reaching the same conclusion. Recent industry coverage has emphasized that smart locks succeed or fail as systems, while commercial access-control trends increasingly include mobile credentials, cloud management, video integration and remote administration.

A smart lock is more than the device on the door

A connected opening may include several interdependent components:

The lock, electric strike or magnetic lock
The door, frame, hinges and closer
A keypad, card reader, fob reader or mobile credential
A controller, power supply and low-voltage wiring
An app, cloud dashboard or on-site management software
Employee permissions, schedules and credential-removal procedures
A mechanical key or other documented emergency-override method

If any one of these elements is poorly selected or configured, the opening may become unreliable. A sophisticated reader cannot correct a door that drags, a latch that does not align, an underpowered strike or a closer that prevents the door from latching.

Seven questions Chicago businesses should ask before installation

1. Who provides security updates?

Ask how the manufacturer distributes firmware and application updates, how long the product is supported and who is responsible for applying updates. A business should not discover after installation that a critical component has reached the end of its supported life.

2. What happens if the internet or cloud service is unavailable?

A properly planned system should have a defined behavior during an internet outage, server interruption or phone failure. Authorized users may need continued local access, while administrators still need a secure way to manage emergencies.

3. How are lost phones, cards and fobs removed?

Electronic credentials are useful because access can often be revoked without rekeying the entire building. That advantage disappears if nobody is assigned to remove former employees, lost credentials or expired vendors promptly.

4. Does every person share the same PIN?

Shared codes make it difficult to determine who entered and can remain active long after someone leaves the company. Individual credentials, appropriate permission levels and scheduled access windows provide better accountability.

5. Is the door mechanically sound?

Before adding electronics, inspect the hinges, frame, latch alignment, closer, exit device and weather exposure. Many “access-control failures” begin as ordinary door-hardware problems.

6. Is there a safe emergency-override plan?

Businesses need a documented response for power failure, damaged equipment and emergency entry. Mechanical backup keys should be controlled, recorded and stored securely—not left in an obvious location.

7. Who will maintain the system after installation?

Access needs change. Employees leave, tenants move, schedules change and door hardware wears. Choose a system that can be serviced and a provider who can troubleshoot both the electronic and mechanical sides of the opening.

Smart lock or commercial access-control system?

A standalone smart lock can make sense for a small office, stockroom or single controlled door. Higher-traffic entrances and buildings with multiple users may need a fuller access-control design using commercial-grade readers, controllers, electric strikes, magnetic locks, request-to-exit devices or integration with existing exit hardware.

Chicago properties also vary widely. A storefront aluminum door, office-suite door, warehouse entrance and multifamily common-area door do not have the same hardware, traffic or life-safety requirements. Product selection should begin with the opening and the business’s operational needs—not with an app feature list.

Omega Locksmith provides access-control system installation in Chicago, including single-door systems, keypads, card and fob readers, electric strikes, magnetic locks and related door hardware. We also diagnose existing systems and coordinate around low-voltage or electrical requirements when a project needs additional trades.

Practical security checklist

Install manufacturer security and application updates.
Use unique administrator credentials and multifactor authentication when available.
Remove unused users, cards, fobs and mobile credentials.
Review access schedules and administrator permissions regularly.
Confirm that doors close and latch without being pulled or pushed.
Test backup power and emergency procedures.
Keep an inventory of controllers, readers, locks and software versions.
Have the system inspected after repeated door faults or unexplained access events.

Frequently asked questions

Are smart locks safe for commercial buildings?

They can be when the product is appropriate for the door, professionally installed, securely administered and kept updated. The complete opening—including the door, frame, lock, power, credentials and network—must be evaluated.

Should a business keep a mechanical backup key?

Many systems benefit from a controlled emergency-override method. The correct approach depends on the hardware and building, and backup keys must be managed carefully.

Can an existing commercial door be upgraded to keyless entry?

Often, yes. Compatibility depends on the door and frame, existing lock or exit device, available power and the desired credential type. An on-site assessment helps determine whether an electric strike, electrified lock, magnetic lock or standalone electronic lock is appropriate.

Can Omega Locksmith service an existing access-control door?

Omega Locksmith can inspect and troubleshoot many single-door access-control problems, replace compatible readers or locking hardware, adjust the door and help add or remove credentials depending on the installed system.

Schedule a Chicago commercial-door assessment

If you are considering a smart lock or access-control upgrade, start with the door and the people who use it. Omega Locksmith serves Chicago businesses from 4346 W 51st St, Chicago, IL 60632. Call (773) 277-5625 or visit our commercial locksmith page to discuss your opening.

Sources: CISA: igloohome Smart Lock Mobile Application advisory; Locksmith Ledger, September 2026 issue.

Are Smart Locks Safe? A Chicago Business Guide