Portable drawer and door lock for retrofit applications

A locking mechanism for retrofitting onto an openable enclosure having at least one access panel and defining an interior and an exterior, the locking mechanism comprising:

• a generally U-shaped bracket having at least a first surface and a second surface, wherein the generally U-shaped bracket defines a space for receiving and freely mounting the bracket on an edge portion of the access panel of the enclosure;
• a user interface operatively positioned proximate the first surface of the bracket on an exterior side of the access panel;
• and
• a moveable latch and latch operator positioned in a housing proximate the second surface of the bracket on an interior side of the access panel;
• wherein the user interface is in communication with the latch operator to control movement of the latch between a locked position and an unlocked position.