A Framework for the Analysis of Security Technology Vulnerabilities: Defeat Evaluation of an Electronic Access Control Locking System

Security literature has identified the need for product evaluation; however, there still exists limited published work in product testing and an absence of cross-disciplinary evaluation frameworks. Evaluation frameworks should consider both physical and technical vulnerabilities due to, in part, an increase in integration and connectivity of electronic security systems. Consequently, the study developed and applied a criterion-based Defeat Evaluation Framework in the evaluation of a security technology, specifically on an electronic access control locking system. The study found that the Defeat Evaluation Framework supported the identification of risks across commercial, performance and defeat categories, which included physical and technical vulnerabilities to defeat. Identification of such vulnerabilities enhances risk decision-making in the uptake of such security technologies.