Locksmith Training and Security Professionals' Exam Study Guide

Get the Solid Preparation Needed to Pass Your Security Certification Exam on the First Try

Filled with locksmith career-building instruction and guidance, Locksmith and Security Professionals' Exam Study Guide is a hands-on learning tool that will help you pass a wide variety of certification exams with flying colors! Comprehensive and easy-to-use, this self-study locksmith resource contains hundreds of exam-like questions and answers that will enable you to achieve security certification in your specific fields.

Written by security expert and bestselling author Bill Phillips, the book takes you step-by-step through lock and security history…securing doors and windows…lock installation…picking locks…impressioning keys… opening automobile doors… and other topics. Locksmith and Security Professionals' Exam Study Guide features:

• Hundreds of multiple-choice, true-false, and fill-in-the-blank questions and answers
• Sample tests for the registered professional locksmith (RPL) exam and the registered security professional (RSP) exam
• A helpful table of contents that guides readers to their exam material
• Detailed coverage of both physical and electronic security

Inside this Sure-Fire Security Certification Study Tool

Lock History • Private Security and Loss Prevention • Securing Doors • Securing • Windows • Basic Locks and Keys • Picking, Impressioning, and Bumping Locks • Electromagnetic Locks • Opening Automobile Doors • Safe Basics • Basic Electricity and Electronics • Emergency Exit Devices • Wireless and Hardwired Alarms • Home Automation • Fire Protection • Safety and Security Lighting • Closed-Circuit Television Systems • Home and Office Security • Computer Security • Terrorism • Glossary • Bibliography • Sample Exams • And More!

Biographical note

Bill Phillips is president of the International Association of Home Safety and Security Professionals. He currently works as a security consultant and freelance writer whose articles have appeared in Consumers Digest, Crime Beat, Home Mechanix, Keynotes, The Los Angeles Times, and many other periodicals. He is the author of the “Lock” article in the World Book Encyclopedia and twelve security-related books, including McGraw-Hill's The Complete Book of Home, Site, and Office Security; The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing, Sixth Edition; Locksmithing; Master Locksmithing; and The Complete Book of Electronic Security.

Find more books and the tools needed at Locksmith Odds & Ends Shop Posted on this website.

Locksmith Training

Locksmith training is for the creative and ambitious person with a mechanical aptitude, good hand-eye coordination and the patience to work with delicate mechanisms and parts. Members of a profession that is never likely to go away, locksmiths are entrusted with the safety of people, property, information and other resources. If you are an honest, bondable and personable individual, a career as a locksmith can be highly lucrative and rewarding.
Locksmith courses train new specialists in the profession and upgrade those who have already obtained some skills. As well as the traditional skills of lock picking, lock fitting, key cutting, rekeying, and safe opening, locksmith training now includes more recent technologies - electromagnetic lock systems, digital locks and combination's, and computerized security systems. Much of the background knowledge required for these new technologies can only be taught in a formal course setting (rather than on the job), and there is a definite trend toward credentialing and licensing for locksmiths, so locksmith schools are more and more in demand.
In the United States, mid range annual earnings for locksmiths are about $31,000. Earnings tend to be higher in the northeastern states and in the District of Columbia. Predictably, credentialed professionals who have succeeded in formal locksmith training have an easier time starting their own businesses and are favored over other candidates by employers. Those who invest in continuing education to stay up to date by taking locksmith courses will naturally maintain a good reputation with people who use their services.
Employment opportunities for locksmiths and safe repairers are expected to increase modestly between now and 2014: about 16 percent. Regionally, the increase in opportunities will be greater: America's Career InfoNet predicts that Idaho, Utah, Virginia, Nevada, and New Mexico will all require more than 30 percent more locksmiths and safe repairers by 2014. Again, graduates of locksmith training programs will be in the best position to take advantage of these opportunities.
Most colleges and schools that offer locksmith courses have websites now and are happy to provide information to potential students. To investigate and compare locksmith schools, visit websites and request information packages. Various educational formats are available, including on site, on line, and distance locksmith training.
R. Drysdale is a contributing editor to Locksmith Training at Accredited Online University, your one stop resource for the very best online college degree programs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R._Drysdale

Locksmiths have valuable skills—for a long time, locksmith training has been a skill set acquired during many months of on the job training, but this is changing. Like many professions, there is trend toward formal post secondary education for this line of work.
Some localities now require that locksmiths be licensed. For the student who plans on building a career with this important skill, formal training provides an education that is faster, more comprehensive and a much better base for the self-employed entrepreneur. Formal credentials also give you credibility with potential clients.
Locksmith courses are available at a number of post secondary colleges, as distance education, and in online formats. Each has its advantages: while the distance and online formats allow you to complete your locksmith training at your own pace, and often while you work in another job, on site courses are generally quite short, and they get you launched in your new career more quickly. The variety of learning formats makes it easy for almost anyone to get this education.
There’s more to locksmith courses than many people think: good training now includes digital locks, electromagnetic locks and computerized security systems as well as more traditional things such as lock picking, lock fitting, safe opening, and changing combination. Locksmith schools also teach key cutting and duplication, and rekeying. Finally, the best locksmith training includes some business courses as many locksmiths are self employed and must take care of the management side as well as the service side of their business.
Locksmith schools are a preferred source of education for both people entering the profession and those that have already been working for some time: rapidly changing technologies have revolutionized locks and safes, just as they have had immense impact on other technological products. Locksmith courses have to be kept current to meet the profession’s needs: professionals who want up to date knowledge need locksmith training from a source that watches what’s new in the field.
Locksmith training can be the foundation of a rewarding and lucrative career. Lock problems are security problems—people need to safeguard their property, their families, their financial resources, their employees, their databases and many other things. Because security is so important, and seemingly becoming more so all the time, people are willing to pay well for trained professionals with credentials from good locksmith schools to install, maintain, repair and replace locks, safes, and combination's.
According to America’s Career InfoNet, locksmiths in the United States can earn more than $50,000 annually, with the highest earners living in the District of Columbia and the northeastern states. As with other professions, professionals who have invested in locksmith courses command the highest earnings. Keep in mind that, because locksmiths are entrusted with people’s security, candidates for locksmith training should be bondable and not have a criminal record.

Locksmith - A New Career

Understanding the field of locksmith is priceless in today's financial and security conscious environment.
Locksmith training program has changed the financial direction of thousands of individuals seeking a new career. Whether you are looking to acquire a new trade, Start your own mobile locksmith service or Lockout service; or are seeking to enhance your skill level to fill a position in the company you are presently employed by. You have found it!
The Locksmith Business is one of the most interesting professions in the world. The income potential is staggering considering the limited investment required to get started. This business in the past has been very hard to break into, well times are changing.
With the rising costs of services we are seeing an enormous shortage of individuals capable of providing these services. If you are on the receiving end however, it is a very profitable career.

A person considering a career in locksmith in the past had only two ways to learn this business.
1. Work as a trainee at a lock shop for $10.00 to $28.00 an hour tops; of course as you have probably already found; finding a locksmith willing to train someone is almost impossible.

2. Enroll in a text book based correspondent's course. Most of which are reproductions of old locksmith manuals. They will cost you plenty and teach you very little.

It is hard to convey in print such a trade as this, it will require seeing it being done.



Today, with the internet, other opportunities are opened for learning the locksmith profession. Distance learning or online courses offer flexibility that wasn’t available in the past, allowing you to work your full time job while learning a new career on your schedule. There are the more formal distance learning programs where schedule class meeting time is required while other programs require only that you turn in assignments on a specific date. Some require the purchase of books while others offer online locksmith video training.

Basic Locksmith Services

Although some specialized locksmith services vary from storefront to storefront, some basic locksmith services are offered by virtually every locksmith, in every town on the map. These basic locksmith services have to do with making new keys, opening locked doors and installing or repairing new locks. Before hiring a locksmith for any locksmith services, be sure to ascertain that they have earned a good reputation in the locksmith business for executing the most basic tasks. If a locksmith company can perform the basics locksmith services with excellence, they are more than likely to be a trustworthy hire for more complex or high-security locksmith services.

Making Keys

Most basic locksmiths can provide locksmith services of making keys by using what is known as a code machine. The code machine uses a puncher in order to make new keys. Some locksmith use a key machine that cuts the keys to a certain depth. Every key has a series of ridges on it that are specially designed to match the pin heights in your lock. Each of those ridges is at different heights; a basic locksmith machine has a different code number for each different ridge height on the key. So, as soon as a locksmith figures out the "code" of each key, the basic locksmith can simply set the machine for the proper code and start making keys. The basic locksmith can duplicate most any key needed.

Other cutting methods are used by basic locksmith to make new keys, but this the code machines serves as a standard method, that virtually every basic locksmith understands how to use and can be used to duplicate keys.

Opening Doors

If you have ever locked your keys in the car of accidentally or left your keys inside the house, you know that virtually any basic locksmith can come and open your locked door for you without keys. There are a number of different methods employed by professional locksmiths, from slim Jims for the cars that you have locked your keys in. A basic locksmith can use bump keys for the front door lock or can duplicate keys by figuring out what the key ridges are on the key. The locksmith also can simply picking the lock with basic locksmith tools.

A good basic locksmith should be able to open your car, house or any other door without doing any damage to the lock or the property itself. If the locksmith is sloppy and scratches your car or harms your home lock, you would be wise to choose another locksmith services the next time around, as damage is not necessary at all.

Installation

Most basic locksmith services can install new locks for you in a timely, cost-efficient manner. Whether you are interested in keeping the outer hardware and simply changing the inner workings of the lock or are desirous of a new locking system including door handles, etc. a locksmith should be able to provide what you need and spare keys for anything new.

These days, many locksmiths are also branching out into keyless locking systems that operate via a computer system.

Hank.G is a former locksmith.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hank_Gale

How to Find a Locksmith Anytime and Anywhere

If anyone comes up with a list of everyday heroes, my vote goes to locksmiths. Day or night, wherever you are, you can find a local 24 hour locksmith to get you out of trouble and restore you to safety.

If you are locked out of your home, your office, or your car, an emergency 24 hour locksmith can get you in, even if it means picking a high security lock. If someone has stolen your keys or broken your lock and you need to change your locks ASAP to prevent an intruder from coming in, an emergency 24 hour locksmith can do it for you. Locksmiths can replace lost keys or remove broken keys from locks quickly.

Have you ever locked yourself out of your car? If you haven't, you are the exception. Whether you lost your keys, left them inside your locked car or in the trunk, your key broke off in the ignition switch or lock, a mobile locksmith can come to you and help you out, no matter where you are or what time it is. A professionally trained auto locksmith can make a key even if you don't have one to copy-and that includes difficult-to-replace laser cut keys. If it's an urgent situation, an emergency locksmith will get to you within minutes.

Locksmiths are not just for emergencies. Attending to home security can prevent worries and problems. Locksmiths can install, change, or repair high security locks. They can install panic bars, peepholes, door closers, deadbolts, and iron gates. If you want your locks rekeyed a professional locksmith can rekey all your locks the same or make a master key.

Commercial locksmith services include access control systems, home security monitoring system installation and repair, file cabinet locks, high security locks, high security cylinder changes, lock and master rekeying, and lock installation.

When choosing a locksmith, look for one who is licensed, bonded, and insured. Many lock and key systems are basically the same as they were a hundred years ago. However, progressive locksmith techniques require regular training to keep up with. You want a locksmith who has experience with traditional systems but knows how to work with technically advanced systems, such as transponder keys and electronic security systems.

Locksmiths also provide helpful advice. Do you want to know if you should force a reluctant key to turn (you shouldn't)? Do you need a consultation on the best home security monitoring system for a particular situation? Maybe you're tempted to use WD-40 or graphite on the locks on your car and you're not sure if it's a good idea (it's not). A professional locksmith is the person who can answer your questions.

You can find locksmiths just about anywhere in the country. They provide essential services that no community can do without. If you are traveling or if you don't know a local locksmith, you can contact a centralized locksmith dispatching service with a network of licensed, bonded, and insured locksmiths who can come to your aid.

Your safety and the safety of your family or business are serious matters. A skilled locksmith can provide you with security and peace of mind.

Locksmith vs Home Improvement Stores

When you're interested in improving the overall security of your home, it's better to visit a locksmith.

Why? Home improvement stores carry a lot of general inventory, and this creates overhead. For you, this means that they only carry items that sell fast so they're not paying for inventory sitting on the shelf. Items that sell fast have to be items that most people need to repair or replace, which means that they have to be common items. Common home locks were likely installed by the builder, who is most interested in installing the product that makes them the most money, and most of the time that's not a very secure product. The picture on the left shows the difference between a heavy duty deadbolt and the one you likely have on your home. Which would you want protecting your house? This is also true of deadbolts, door closers, and other products. High security locks are just not found a home stores.

When you need a key copied, it's better to visit a locksmith shop.

The reasons are simple, selection and accuracy. Unless you have the most common type of key, the home improvement store won't have it and they'll send you to a locksmith. If they do have the key and they make a copy, it may or may not work. ACME Locksmith calibrates our key making machines daily so that the keys we cut have a far better chance of working than that of the home store. The home improvement stores don't do this because they don't have someone in the store that knows how. I can't tell you how many times someone has come into our shop after having keys made elsewhere that didn't work.

When you value your time, it's better to visit a locksmith.

How many times have you been in a home improvement store searching for someone to help you find something or talk knowledgeably about a product you're interested in? Home improvement stores, to their credit, are busy places, but for you this means you're likely going to have to wait for service. A lock shop will have knowledgeable staff on hand to help you right away. And, if you've had bad keys made, or the home store didn't have what you were looking for, you've completely wasted your time.

When you want to save money, hire a locksmith.

Home stores sell products, a locksmith sells a service. Most customers that call us don't know that we can rekey existing home locks to work with new keys. There is no reason to replace your existing door hardware unless you want increased security or you are tired of the way it looks.

If all you want is the cheapest price possible, visit the home improvement store.

Home improvement stores buy in bulk and there's no way a local shop can match their prices on the items they carry. If you have one broken door knob that needs replacing, you're handy with a screwdriver, and security is not a concern; get it at the home store.

This post was from an locally owned and operated AZ locksmith, a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America and BBB. Thank you Acme Locksmith. http://www.acmelocksmith.com/

A Locksmith in AZ - Family Owner - Committed to Fairness

The Single Best Thing You Can Do to Protect Your Home

As a locally owned az locksmith company, ACME is often asked, "What's the best thing I can do to protect my home?"

The question is a valid one, but until now it has been a difficult one for us to truly answer without first knowing what the homeowner is most interested in protecting. For some, the answer may have been to purchase a burglary rated safe in order to protect a valuable collection, but for others it may have been to rekey their new home to ensure that no one has a working copy of their key.

However, ACME Locksmith has found that there is one improvement every homeowner should make, have a single-sided or half deadbolt installed on every door of your home. Doing so improves your home's security to the maximum extent possible.

Single Sided Deadbolt Single Sided Deadbolt






A single-sided or half deadbolt is a deadbolt that only has one visible side (see photo). On the inside of your home, you lock the deadbolt with a thumb turn, but on the outside of your home, there's nothing. No hole to pick, no lock to bump (What is Locks Bumping), nothing to pry, break or jimmy.


The benefits of the single-sided deadbolt are numerous.

* Your garage door is one of the most common points of entry for someone breaking into your home. In Arizona, the door into your garage from your yard is often behind a brick fence. This gives intruders plenty of time to work your locks without being seen by neighbors or people walking by. Once someone is in your garage, they can work at breaking in and emptying your home without any worry of being seen. The single sided deadbolt protects that door and any other door it's installed on, from all types of silent lock attacks. The only way they're getting past this lock, is to bring out some very noisy tools, and that attracts unwanted attention.
* Engaging these locks on your house doors while you are in the home offers the same type of protection. There are no silent ways to get around this lock. It's pick proof, bump proof, and jimmy proof. Burglars won't even know it's there and you can rest comfortably in your home knowing that this is the case.
* If you've given keys to your home to someone that you no longer want to have access, engaging a single-sided deadbolt will keep them out until you can have your home rekeyed to work with a new key. You don't have to worry about them showing up unannounced and walking into your home while these locks are engaged.
* This lock is ideal for families, such as mine, with small children in the house. Once your child is old enough to unlock your existing deadbolt and doorknob, only your constant attention can stop him from running outside on his/her own. Installing a single-sided deadbolt high up on the door, where your young children can't reach, gives you the security benefits we mentioned plus gives you a way to stop your young child from exploring the world unbeknownst to you.