We installed a single turnstile to feel secure
Hacker News
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
After being acquired by a larger company, security became paramount for the startup, which occupied three tall buildings. The company installed key card readers at every entrance, elevator, and even the eight-story parking lot. While initially manageable, these measures led to long lines and occasional lockouts, especially in stairwells. Employees often relied on others to let them in, creating a workaround for the inconvenience.
The introduction of futuristic turnstiles on each building's ground floor aimed to enhance security further. However, this move caused significant delays during mock activation, as employees waited in lengthy queues to scan their cards and pass through the turnstiles. The process was slow and inefficient, with some users facing red lights due to technical issues. Despite these challenges, the company pressed on, activating the turnstiles fully the next day.
The full implementation led to chaos in the parking lot and elevators. Employees spent up to 30 minutes waiting to park and another 10 minutes just to reach the lobby. Elevator access required separate scans, causing further delays as people tried to enter overcrowded cars. The system's inefficiency highlighted a critical flaw: poor design choices can render even the most secure systems ineffective.
This situation underscores the importance of thoughtful security design in tech
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/22/2026