On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 12:56 PM, Johannes Hachmann <jh@chemistry.harvard.edu> wrote:

I just had a quick chat with Jacob and he also thinks this would be a bad
and annoying policy, in particular since there are usually many people at
least in the big office. He also suggested starting a discussion over the
group list. If you think that's a good idea, you can forward my first eMail
to the list.

> Johannes: some of your suggestions are good, but I think the
> inconvenience of replacing a stolen laptop far exceeds having to dig
> for keys. I have a lanyard that I wear around my neck so I can
> easily get in. If by chance someone forgets their key and no one's
> around, they can ask the security office downstairs to let them in
> (they are here 24-7).

I frankly disagree - the chance of getting a laptop stolen while someone is
in the office is pretty small (as long as the 'last-person-locks' policy is
enforced), while the effects of 'locked-at-all-times' are a daily certainty.

> I've had a number of folks bring up the issue directly to me, so you
> can offer your suggestions at the group meeting and people can vote
> on setting group policy.

I agree - we should still start the discussion via the list before so that
people have time to think about it.

> Btw, if you want to coordinate with Facilities about getting
> placards put on every door, that would be good. I believe there's
> already a camera in the hallway.

I can make simple printouts and put them up.

Best

Johannes

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Johannes Hachmann <jh@chemistry.harvard.edu>
Date: Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Subject: RE: [Aspuru-Guzik group list] locked door policy
To: "Anna B. Shin" <anna@chemistry.harvard.edu>
Cc: Alan Aspuru-Guzik <alan@aspuru.com>

Just my 2ct: I think this 'locked-at-all-times' policy is excessive and
unpractical. Every time you leave the lab for ANYTHING you have to dig for
your keys, find the right one, and then unlock, possibly while having your
hands full with a laptop or a stack of books. This will be extremely
interruptive and a waste of nerves and time. The chance of dropping a laptop
on such an occasion is probably bigger than getting it stolen. We'll
probably also see people getting locked out - many of us have their FOB key
on their keychain and leave it on their desk while working on the cluster.

I think our current 'last-person-locks' system works perfectly fine as long
as it is strictly enforced. A cheap deterrent would be signs on every door
saying 'All computers in this office are registered and tagged by HUPD and
the doors are monitored by CCTV.]'. Both doesn't even have to be true, but
if you want to make it more believable, buy a few camera dummies...

Best

Johannes

> -----Original Message-----
> From: aspuru-list-bounces@lists.fas.harvard.edu [mailto:aspuru-list-
> bounces@lists.fas.harvard.edu] On Behalf Of Anna B. Shin
> Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 11:10
> To: A-G Group
> Subject: [Aspuru-Guzik group list] locked door policy
>
> Dear Group,
>
> With the increase of theft in CCB, we need to revisit the group
> policy on locked doors. Currently, the policy is lax with doors
> left unlocked while an office is occupied. However, some leave the
> office unsecured when they go to the bathroom or grab a print job.
> It can take as little as a few seconds for a thief to walk in the
> door, grab a laptop or backpack and walk out. The last thief caught
> on camera looked like a student so he was free to roam the labs
> without getting stopped. The most recent incident I heard was a
> laptop stolen in the Whitesides lab last Saturday afternoon (Dec 3)
> when the building doors are locked to the public.
>
> HUPD does not promote cable locks as secure means of theft
> prevention since it gives you a false sense of security because
> thieves can carry cable cutters that easily snap it off. They
> encourage laptop registration which requires a $10 fee. CCB may
> sponsor another HUPD laptop registration visit in the future, but in
> the meantime, we need to make it a policy to keep doors locked at
> all times. Rotators: don't forget this applies to you too.
>
> If you have concerns about the issue, please bring it up at the next
> group meeting.
>
> Regards,
> Anna