hex vs security

Of course, the TekTronic Securities control panel that I could see through the front window had some say in my decision—not that I couldn’t hex it down to a useless bundle of plastic and wires, but a lot of security systems will cause an alarm with their contact company if they abruptly stop working without notice. It would be a useless exercise, in any case—the real information was to be had elsewhere.

Storm Front Chapter 6, Page 59-60