If they understood that a critical piece of the lock was subject to a magnetic field, then why did they not design it differently?

FORBES: Opening the Kaba Simplex Lock: Just How Easy Is It?

In the case of the Kaba Simplex, the magnetic field is able to move a critical component and allow the lock to be opened without the proper code.

FORBES: The Kaba Simplex lock is only for "access control": Is that what FDNY Engine Company 65 thought?