This non-profit organization would send volunteers out to stores, laundromats, warehouses, and other places of business -- and even to homes where requested -- to, in the presence and with the consent of business owners and managers, use low skill attacks to circumvent security. Such wonders of modern engineering as the comb key, the rake key, the " hold down shift" attack, and the "just put this magnet on it" attack would be presented.

The intent is to encourage preventative measures and more effective security, such that the requirements to breach security rise from someone who bought a comb or rake on the internet two days ago or read an article on Gizmo to someone who has at least two weeks of practice. This would save society a large amount of money and heartache.
-- Voice, May 27 2023

It Takes A Thief (2005 TV series) https://en.wikipedi...ef_(2005_TV_series)
Reality television … two former thieves use their unique expertise to teach people in an unusual way to protect their properties. [a1, May 30 2023]

It Takes A Thief (1968 TV series) https://en.wikipedi...ef_(1968_TV_series)
Action-adventure … a sophisticated thief works as a spy for the U.S. government in return for his release from prison. [a1, May 30 2023]

Will there be a "pick noses" follow up?
-- xenzag, May 27 2023


Crooks always find a way in, often completely circum'vent'ing (for example) the need to go through the front door.

Locks generally keep the honest people out. I'm all for keeping honest people honest.
-- Sgt Teacup, May 27 2023


I kinda like this, but how do you get people interested ENOUGH to invite these folks over for a demo? Local police departments already tout home security measures, locksmiths and hardware stores likewise, the Internet is full of info on the topic…

… yet people still buy dumb easy to pick locks.
-- a1, May 27 2023


Penetration testing ("pen testing") is already a thing; that's where you hire a team to try to break into your organisation, so they can report back to you on its vulnerabilities. It's mostly applied to IT systems, but can include such elements as "How easy is it to lie your way through the front door?"

The idea here seems to be a low- end, volunteer version of that.

That doesn't make it a bad idea, though.
-- pertinax, May 28 2023


hmmm, a lock which, if not keyed in the right sequence, were to seize and trap any implements not determined to be the key would be cool.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, May 28 2023


I remember we hired a pen testing company. They never did get back to us about which of our pens had run out of ink and needed replacing. But some of their employees tried to break in to our premises. We ended up calling the police. Most annoying
-- pocmloc, May 28 2023


There was literally a reality TV show about this. Back in 2005, ran 2 seasons. Called "It takes a thief".
-- 21 Quest, May 30 2023


I remember that one. I didn't think it was a reality piece, but I could be mistaken.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, May 30 2023


Or you could be right. There’s been more than one TV show with that title.
-- a1, May 30 2023


That was why I mentioned the year lol
-- 21 Quest, May 30 2023



random, halfbakery