2.1 Entry Simulation Kits

Entry Simulation Kits

How to design and build portable training environments that allow operators to practice physical entry techniques in any setting.

The Value of a Dedicated Training Kit

Physical entry skills decay without regular practice, and regular practice requires reliable access to the right equipment. Waiting for a sanctioned engagement to develop skills is not a viable training strategy: by the time an operator needs a technique in the field, the moment for learning it has already passed. Entry simulation kits solve this problem by providing a portable, self-contained training environment that can be deployed in any space with enough room to set it up.

A well-designed entry kit is more than a collection of tools. It is a structured learning environment with clearly defined difficulty levels, consistent evaluation criteria, and the flexibility to support everything from an individual’s solo practice session to a small group training evolution. The investment in building and maintaining a proper kit pays for itself quickly in operator readiness, because skill development that would otherwise require arranged access to a training facility can happen continuously and at low cost.

Six Component Types

Entry simulation kits are built from six categories of components, each addressing a different aspect of physical entry skill development. Door hardware is the foundation of any realistic entry training environment. This category includes practice locks of varying types and difficulty levels, door handles, hinges, strike plates, and door closers that replicate the feel and resistance of real-world installations. Training with actual door hardware, rather than locks mounted on foam boards, develops the spatial awareness and approach angles that operators encounter in the field.

Bypass tools form the second category and include the instruments used to defeat door hardware without picking: under-door tools that manipulate interior levers and handles, shims for bypassing spring latches, travelers for attacking specific latch types, latch slips for defeating simple latches, and air wedges that create gap space for tool insertion. Window simulators provide latch mechanisms, sensor contacts, and glass break detector replicas that allow operators to practice window-based entry techniques in a controlled setting without requiring access to actual windows or the risk of breakage.

Access control components introduce the electronic dimension of physical entry training. Card reader simulators, keypad panels, and biometric scanner replicas allow operators to practice credential-based bypass techniques that are increasingly relevant to modern facility assessments. Timing equipment rounds out the kit with stopwatches, interval timers, and challenge clocks that introduce the time pressure element which is absent from most informal practice but present in virtually every real operation.

Three Kit Configurations

Not every training need requires the same level of equipment investment or physical space. Three standard kit configurations address the full range from individual practice to full scenario simulation. The portable kit is the most accessible configuration: a single lock board with several locks at different difficulty levels, a basic set of bypass tools, and everything packed into a backpack or small case that travels easily. Portable kits support individual practice sessions that can happen in any private space and are the entry point for operators who are building foundational skills.

Training stations represent a significant step up in capability. A training station includes multiple lock types mounted on a dedicated board or frame, a door frame mockup with functional hardware, a dedicated bypass practice area with appropriate targets, and enough equipment to support small group training effectively. Training stations are better suited to structured sessions with a facilitator, where multiple participants can rotate through different elements and receive direct feedback on their technique.

Full simulation configurations provide the highest level of realism available in a training environment. A complete door assembly with functional hardware, integrated electronic access controls, alarm system connections, and the full environmental context of a realistic scenario allows operators to practice the complete entry sequence rather than isolated components of it. Full simulation requires more space, more investment, and more setup time, but it provides training conditions that most closely replicate the actual assessment environment.

Building Your Kit: Four Steps

Building an effective entry simulation kit begins with a clear assessment of training needs. What specific skills need development, and what scenarios will the kit be used to train? Answering these questions before purchasing any equipment prevents the common mistake of acquiring tools that are impressive but misaligned with what the program actually needs to develop. The assessment should consider the current skill levels of the operators who will use the kit, the types of assessments the team typically conducts, and the realistic time available for training sessions.

With needs clearly defined, sourcing components from appropriate suppliers becomes a directed rather than speculative exercise. Hardware stores, locksport vendors, and surplus equipment suppliers each offer different components at different price points. A combination of sources typically produces the best value. Once acquired, components should be organized and labeled clearly, with difficulty ratings on lock boards and maintenance schedules established for any moving parts or electronic components that require regular attention. The final step is documentation and iteration: tracking how the kit is used, gathering feedback from participants about what is working and what is not, and continuously refining the kit based on that accumulated experience.

Specific Items Within Each Component Category

Door hardware in a well-stocked training kit includes a minimum of three pin tumbler locks spanning beginner, intermediate, and advanced difficulty ratings, at least one wafer lock and one disc detainer lock to expose operators to non-standard mechanisms, a complete door latch and strike plate assembly with adjustable backset, a door closer set to standard resistance, and a door viewer or peephole for scenarios that require working around them. The locks are mounted on a portable board with hinges and strike hardware installed so that the spatial relationships between components match a real door rather than a foam-block approximation.

The bypass tools category should include a short and long hook pick, a city rake and snake rake for raking technique practice, a half-diamond for single-pin work, tension wrenches in light, medium, and heavy gauges to cover different lock types, an under-door tool with interchangeable tips for lever handles and thumb turns, a latch slip set in multiple widths, and an air wedge with a hand pump. The air wedge is one of the most frequently overlooked items in beginner kits despite being one of the highest-utility tools in perimeter scenarios, because it enables gap creation without forcing hardware. For the access control component, a basic kit includes a 125 kHz proximity card reader simulator that accepts training credentials, a keypad panel with configurable PIN codes, and a set of RFID training cards at both readable and shielded variants so that operators can practice the difference in approach.

Vetting and Preparing the Kit Before Each Exercise

Kit preparation before an exercise is not the same as kit assembly. Assembly happens once when the kit is initially built. Preparation happens before every session and confirms that each element is in the condition needed for the upcoming exercise. The vetting process begins with a function test of each lock on the board: picks and tension wrenches are inserted, the lock is operated, and its opening characteristics are confirmed to match expectations. A lock that has been repeatedly practiced on may develop wear patterns that make it easier to pick than its difficulty rating indicates. If a lock feels noticeably easier than its rating suggests, it should be replaced or re-rated before the session begins, because an inaccurately rated lock misleads both participants and evaluators.

Bypass tools are inspected for bends, breaks, or tip deformation that would affect function or safety during use. Under-door tools in particular accumulate wear at their working ends that reduces effective reach and control. Air wedges are inflated and held for sixty seconds to check for pressure loss before the session begins. Electronic components are powered on and cycled through their operational modes to confirm that any simulated failures or bypass opportunities are functioning as designed. Battery-dependent devices are the most common source of mid-exercise failures; a device that reads as charged at a visual glance may carry insufficient remaining capacity to complete a two-hour session. Any item that does not pass its function check is removed from the session and marked for maintenance before returning to service. The two minutes spent on kit verification before each exercise prevent a far more disruptive discovery during the exercise itself.

Key Takeaways

• Entry kits enable continuous skill development. Access to a well-designed training kit removes the dependency on arranged facility access and allows operators to practice techniques regularly between formal training events.
• Six component categories cover the full entry skill spectrum. Door hardware, bypass tools, lock boards, window simulators, access control components, and timing equipment each address distinct aspects of physical entry technique.
• Kit configuration should match the training context. Portable kits support individual practice, training stations enable small group sessions, and full simulation configurations provide the highest fidelity for scenario-based training.
• Needs assessment drives effective kit building. Purchasing equipment without first identifying specific skill development gaps leads to kits that are impressive but poorly aligned with program objectives.
• Iteration improves kit quality over time. Tracking usage, collecting participant feedback, and refining components based on observed gaps converts a basic starter kit into an increasingly capable training resource.

Sources: PTES – Physical Access Assessment  ·  ASIS International – Physical Security Professional (PSP)  ·  TOOOL – The Open Organisation Of Lockpickers  ·  Site & Location Intelligence Platform (SLIP)  ·  Physical Red Team Framework (PRTF)  ·  RFID Attack Matrix (RAM)  ·  Physical Security Tools List