From work and parenting to hobbies and hygiene, there’s no topic off-limits online. Oversharing isn’t just accepted — it’s a form of social currency to build a sense of deeper connection with others. But when employees share certain details on social media, they could inadvertently give criminals access to your facility’s keys. Here's what to watch for online and how to protect your organization.
A simple photo of a key, fob, or access card can reveal far more than most people realize. Online services and apps can analyze a photo of a physical key to determine the unique cut pattern, making it possible to duplicate. Bad actors can even 3D print working keys. While access cards and fobs can’t be cloned from an image, hackers could identify the lock type and model, then research known system vulnerabilities.
Beyond keys themselves, any content featuring key control systems or checkout routines gives criminals direct insight into your security protocols. These seemingly innocent posts reveal the patterns and procedures that protect your assets. These posts can come in the form of:
Social media challenges and games are staples of short-form video platforms, offering businesses entertaining ways to engage customers. For example, one trend among car dealerships involves showing someone grabbing a random key from their key control system’s drawer. They then spotlight the corresponding vehicle to generate interest in the inventory. While this content is fun, it shows where keys are stored and who has access.
🔑 TIP: Use the random key selection trend for internal training instead of social media. Whether you’re showcasing inventory, familiarizing new employees with equipment locations, or walking through checkout procedures, it's an excellent way to build knowledge internally.
Well-intentioned employees might share tutorials for their key control system or walk-throughs of their process. One video, for example, shows a property management company’s lockbox with property names, keys, and labels clearly visible. Manual key control methods are already risky, and sharing them publicly only increases that risk.
Educational content can be valuable and position your organization as a thought leader, but it must be done carefully. Unredacted software screens or labels could reveal sensitive details about the organization’s assets and key control practices.
Employees might not realize their social media posts can create security risks. The popularity of day-in-the-life videos has normalized sharing footage of getting ready, arriving at work, clocking in, and performing daily job responsibilities. For example, an LAX employee was fired after she shared a viral social media video revealing details such as her TSA badge, work schedule, and cash drawer. This information could have compromised airport security.
Similarly, even glimpses of your workplace can inadvertently expose unlocked areas, unsecured keys left in vehicles or on desks, and other security gaps.
For more on how social media risks affect physical security, check out “TikTok Trends: How to Protect Your Workplace When Theft Goes Viral.”
Location information compounds every risk mentioned above. Geotags and location app settings reveal not just where your business is located, but specific areas within your facility and employee movement patterns — creating risks for both your organization and your team members. Even with location settings turned off, public Wi-Fi, cell towers, and websites can track user locations. With this information, bad actors can identify vulnerabilities.
Once you understand how oversharing online affects your key control, protect your keys by combining technology, policies, and training.
Storing keys in an electronic key control system helps prevent unauthorized access even if a bad actor determines their location.
Be aware of your organization’s existing social media policy. Remind your team of your social media guidelines. If you’re unsure what they are, check with your marketing, communications, PR, human resources, or legal department.
Reinforce social media guidelines during onboarding and key control training so employees understand how their social media habits can become security risks. Remind them of security best practices, such as:
Oversharing on social media can have real-world consequences for your organization’s key security. But familiarizing yourself with the types of content that create vulnerabilities and reinforcing social media best practices will help you protect your keys and your team.