If you suspect that any of your locks or other security hardware have been physically tampered with or that attempts at entry (whether successful or not) have taken place, please contact the CORE Group right away so that we may instruct you on how to preserve the scene, keep a proper chain of custody on any evidence, and submit it to us for analysis and documentation if that is your desired course of action.

Most illicit intrusions into someone's private property are destructive in nature. Windows smashed... locks cut... cabinets forced open... etc. The response to such an occurrence is often defined properly within an organization's policies and documented operating practices. Police are contacted, evidence is collected, and the process of examining and potentially restoring data can begin.

The very reason that covert intrusions are often a greater cause for concern is that such distinct evidence of a break-in is often unavailable. Surreptitious attacks -- such as lockpicking, safe cracking, and electronic bypassing -- often leave little in the way of evidence. Companies may not be able to react properly to a penetration of their facility if the attackers' skill level is significant.

Perhaps the most profound concern surrounding non-destructive entry is the implications that it can have for matters of insurance claims. Sometimes, in the absence of clear and obvious destruction (like a door kicked in or a safe drilled open) insurance companies will not pay claims, asserting instead that companies were responsible for the break-in due to "poor key control" or "rogue employees" left unchecked.

However, even the most careful attempt at lockpicking will leave evidence within the lock itself. This evidence, if properly preserved and accurately collected and documented, can be invaluable during court proceedings should litigation become necessary.