When people hear the word “smart” in combination with technology, the first thought is often about convenience. But it is also followed by a fair question: “Is it safe?”

From smartphones to smart homes, digital convenience sometimes comes with myths that fuel hesitation. Smart locks are no exception. Some believe they are easy to hack, others fear they are constantly listening, and many wonder if they will be locked out during a power or internet outage. At Bold, we take these concerns seriously. Security is not an afterthought for us, it is the foundation of everything we build.

In this blog, we tackle the most common myths about smart lock security, explain how Bold designs its products with safety in mind, and show why smart does not mean hackable.

This is the most common myth and one that keeps many people from making the switch from traditional keys to digital access. The truth is that hacking any modern smart device requires sophisticated techniques, and Bold has built multiple layers of protection to minimise this risk.

Bold locks combine Bluetooth local unlocking with cloud-based access management. The local Bluetooth communication ensures that unlocking your door does not require an active internet connection. Even if a hacker were to scan your Wi-Fi, your lock would not appear as an exposed device.

When cloud communication is needed, such as granting or revoking access rights, it is secured with TLS encryption, certificate validation, and strict authentication, the same standards used in online banking. Independent studies on IoT (Internet of Things) security confirm that strong encryption and strict session validation drastically reduce the risk of unauthorised access.

By reducing the attack surface and using robust encryption, Bold ensures that the idea of “easy hacking” does not apply.

This concern comes from smart speakers and other voice-activated devices that constantly process sound. Smart locks, however, work very differently.

Bold smart locks do not have microphones, cameras, or any audiovisual sensors. They are purpose built devices designed only for one thing: controlling access. They do not listen to you, they do not record conversations, and they do not share data with third parties.

Your personal information and access rights are stored securely in the Bold cloud platform, protected by strict European data protection laws and designed with privacy-by-default. This means Bold cannot see or misuse your access codes.

For many people, the thought of adding smart technology sounds overwhelming. But the truth is that Bold locks are designed for simplicity.

Installation takes only a few minutes and does not require drilling or rewiring. Once installed, the Bold app guides you step by step to connect your lock via Bluetooth. Granting access to a new person is as simple as sending an invite through the app, which can be accepted instantly.

For businesses, managing multiple doors and users is just as straightforward. Permissions can be assigned by role, scheduled by time, and revoked with a single tap. Compared to handing out keys and worrying about lost copies, digital access is not just simpler, it is more secure.

Independent research on smart home adoption shows that ease of use is a key factor in building trust. Systems that minimise complexity while maximising security are the ones that gain customer confidence [1]. Bold was designed exactly with that in mind.

Another misconception is that smart locks are power hungry and need constant recharging. This may be true for Wi-Fi based locks that keep a continuous internet connection, but Bold uses Bluetooth Low Energy, a wireless standard that is designed for short range communication while consuming very little power.

Bluetooth connections are short, efficient, and only active when needed. As a result, Bold smart locks achieve a minimum battery life of two years or up to 20,000 activations on a single battery set.

For businesses that depend on continuous operation, long battery life is not just convenient, it is critical. And because the Bold app sends notifications well before the battery runs low, you will never be caught off guard.

This is a serious issue, especially for business owners who rely on things running smoothly, and for homeowners who just need to get into their home without hassle. But Bold’s architecture was designed with this exact scenario in mind.

Unlocking your door always happens locally via Bluetooth. That means even if your phone has no internet, even if your building’s Wi-Fi is down, and even if there is a power outage, you can still open your Bold lock with your phone or Bold Clicker.

Additionally, you can always fall back on a Backup PIN or the Bold Clicker, ensuring that you have multiple ways to enter. This resilience is one of Bold’s strongest advantages compared to Wi-Fi dependent smart locks.

Traditional locks can be picked, bumped, or drilled. With digital locks, the fear is often that someone can simply “reset” the device and take over.

With Bold, this is not possible. Resetting a Bold Smart Lock requires physical access to the lock and ownership verification through the Bold app. Access rights are tied to your Bold account, meaning unauthorised users cannot take control even if they gain physical possession of the lock.

This design ensures that your lock remains yours, no matter what.

Trust is built on standards. In the Netherlands, the SKG certification is a well-known measure of burglary resistance. Bold Smart Lock has received SKG*** certification, meaning it has been tested and approved by an independent institute against common burglary techniques.

In addition, you can further boost your home security with the Dutch Police Quality Mark for Safe Living (Politiekeurmerk Veilig Wonen, PKVW). This certification shows that your entire home meets strict security standards. With PKVW, the chance of a successful burglary can be reduced by up to 80%.

These certifications show that Bold is not only a digital product but also a physically robust lock that meets strict European standards for security.

Every Bold lock combines physical protection with digital safeguards. The result is a security model built on three key pillars:

Encryption and authentication
All communication between the lock, the app, and the Bold cloud is encrypted with bank-level standards. Certificates ensure that only trusted devices can interact with the system.

Local resilience
Unlocking is always done via Bluetooth, guaranteeing that you can access your door even without the internet.

Optional connectivity with the Bold Connect
For users who want remote control and monitoring, the Bold Connect adds a secure bridge. This connection is protected with encrypted communication, secure APIs, certificate-based authentication, and anomaly detection systems.

By combining these elements, Bold achieves a balance of convenience, reliability, and trustworthiness.

For homeowners, Bold means peace of mind that your door will always open when you need it, without sacrificing security. For business owners, it means centralised access management, audit logs, and flexibility without creating new risks.

Unlike systems that trade off between convenience and safety, Bold delivers both. From SKG*** certification to encrypted cloud infrastructure, from Bluetooth reliability to optional remote access with the Bold Connect, every design choice puts security first.

The myths around smart technology often come from misunderstanding or outdated assumptions. With Bold, the reality is clear: smart does not mean hackable.

Switching from traditional keys to smart access is a big step, but it does not have to be a scary one. Bold proves that you can have the convenience of digital living without compromising on safety.

So the next time someone tells you smart locks are risky, you can confidently reply: Not when they are Bold.

Sources

[1] C. Caballero “Research on smart-locks cybersecurity and vulnerabilities - Springer Nature Link,” Springer Nature Link, May. 27, 2023. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11276-023-03376-8