Abstract: A delay means in a security apparatus for identifying a code of characters to authenticate access to the apparatus by matching an entered code with a stored value by a procedure which so enciphers the coded information as it is entered into the apparatus and displayed on a keyboard that disclosure of the code by observation of the entry operation is prevented. A delay timing circuit produces a delayed signal in the matching of the entered code and the stored value so that the length of the period of time for authentication is controllable.