September 18, 2026
If an older gate intercom is the first electronic device a visitor reaches, it deserves the same security review as the cameras, network and alarm behind it. Many Bay Area estates still use DoorKing 1812-series telephone entry systems. They can continue to be appropriate in the right application, but a 2026 security review should look beyond whether the call button still rings the house.
Our original article focused too narrowly on one physical-service concern. The better question is broader: how is the gate station protected, how does it communicate, where are the gate-release relays located, and what happens if the exterior station is damaged or opened?
This guide explains what Regent5 checks on an existing DoorKing installation and when it makes more sense to modernize the entry system.
DoorKing continues to sell 1812-series systems. The current 1812 Plus is designed as a telephone entry system for single-family and small-property applications, with voice communication, two gate/door relays and support for multiple telephone numbers. The 1812 Access Plus adds IP-addressable programming and can expand to additional access points.
So the issue is not that every 1812 is automatically obsolete. The real question is whether the specific model, connection method, physical installation and security architecture still match the property’s requirements.
An exterior intercom is exposed to weather, impact and unauthorized physical access. During a security review, we inspect the condition of the enclosure, hinges, lock hardware, mounting method, conduit entry and any adjacent pedestal or gate-controller cabinet.
Service keys and cabinet access should be controlled like any other security credential. If a property has changed ownership, changed service vendors or has no record of who possesses service keys, re-keying or replacing service hardware may be appropriate.
We do not recommend relying on the exterior enclosure as the only security boundary for the gate.
A stronger access-control design separates the exposed reader/intercom from the decision-making hardware that actually releases the gate or door. Where the product architecture allows it, critical relays and controllers should be located in a protected enclosure or secure side of the property rather than making the exterior station the entire trust boundary.
This principle is more important than any one intercom brand. A beautiful video station is still an exterior device. The system should be designed so damage to that device does not automatically equal unrestricted property access.
Many older telephone-entry installations were built around traditional copper telephone service. DoorKing now states that POTS service is no longer recommended as telecommunications providers move toward digital and fiber infrastructure.
Current DoorKing options can use cellular and, on supported series, VoIP/Ethernet or IP-based programming. DoorKing also offers cellular retrofit hardware for compatible older entry systems. That can be a practical path when the physical station is still serviceable but the telephone infrastructure is no longer appropriate.
The correct connection depends on the property. Gate locations can be hundreds or thousands of feet from the residence, so network pathways, surge protection, grounding, cellular signal and serviceability all need to be reviewed before changing technologies.
A telephone call can still be a perfectly usable way to answer a gate, but many homeowners now expect more: live video, mobile answering, event history, mobile credentials, QR codes, integration with indoor stations and better coordination with cameras and access control.
If those requirements are important, replacing the old entry station may be a better investment than repeatedly adapting a voice-first platform.
Regent5 frequently evaluates 2N for design-led residential gates because its current IP intercom family provides modern video, mobile and access-control options. The right model depends on the architecture and level of protection required.
2N IP One: a compact residential video intercom with a Full HD wide-angle camera, mobile-app support and integration with home-automation systems.
2N IP Verso 2.0: a modular platform with Full HD video and multiple credential options including PIN, RFID, mobile access and QR codes.
2N IP Style: a larger 10-inch touchscreen intercom with a 5MP camera, adaptive face zoom and multiple access technologies.
2N IP Force 2.0: intended for more demanding environments, with a rugged enclosure, 5MP camera and advanced access-control options.
The presence of modern credentials does not remove the need for secure relay placement, network segmentation and good gate-controller design. The intercom is one layer of a larger perimeter system.
For an existing property, our gate/intercom review typically includes the exterior station, gate operator interface, release relay architecture, service cabinets, telephone/cellular/network connection, camera coverage, credential strategy, backup power, surge protection and the path back to the residence.
We also look at the homeowner experience. Can the family identify a visitor clearly? Can they answer from the locations they actually use? What happens when internet service is down? Can household staff be given access without sharing a permanent master code? Does the property have a sensible process for temporary vendors and guests?
Keep or retrofit it when the hardware is in good condition, the homeowner is comfortable with the interaction model, physical security is sound, and a cellular or supported IP/VoIP connection solves the real problem.
Consider replacement when the project needs high-quality video, modern mobile credentials, a more architectural station, deeper access-control management, better event visibility, or the existing installation has accumulated too many adapters and workarounds.
The answer should come from a site review rather than a blanket statement that one brand is secure and another is not.
Regent5 designs and upgrades gate intercom, access-control, camera and network systems for custom residences throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. For large properties, we coordinate the gate with the broader security and home-technology infrastructure instead of treating it as an isolated call box.
If you have an older DoorKing system and are unsure whether it should be retained, modernized or replaced, contact Regent5 for a gate and entry-system assessment.
DoorKing 1812 Plus
DoorKing 1812 Access Plus
DoorKing connection options
2N IP One
2N IP Verso 2.0
2N IP Style
2N IP Force 2.0
Security depends on the complete system design and site conditions. Product features and compatibility change; confirm current manufacturer documentation before final specification.
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