This is the second in a series of Q&As with The Author himself…
Next question: Telephone technology has progressed dramatically, but has lock technology changed much since you started writing Bernie stories?
I think so. Bernie observes in THE BURGLAR WHO COUNTED THE SPOONS that technological obsolescence has doomed the niche occupation of hotel thief, because you can’t pick a lock that requires a plastic key card. (Often enough, you can’t even open it with the designated card.) And there are guaranteed pickproof locks on the market, like the Poulard Bernie mentions, and which he has mastered. But how many Bernies are there, anyway?
Worse than locks, from his point of view, is the increasing ubiquity of security cameras. Turn a corner and there’s the robotic equivalent of Allen Funt: Smile, you’re on Candid Camera.
Tell one of the maids you locked yourself out of the room. They don’t always ask for ID. Found this out when I actually locked myself out once!
Nice, Levin. Hackers call this “social engineering.”
Yes, unfortunately the bad boys always seem to be one step ahead of the good guys. I’m afraid I can’t place much trust in “security” as long as humans are involved there will always be holes in it.