Crossword Genius

Tendency to have security number as means of increasing access? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

driftpin

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'means of increasing access?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'tendency to have security number' is the wordplay.
'tendency' becomes 'drift' (drift is a kind of tendency).
'to have' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'security number' becomes 'pin' (a PIN number - personal identification number).
'drift'+'pin'='DRIFTPIN'

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for driftpin that I've seen is " that makes holes bigger".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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