Posted May 29th, 2011 | No Comments
The value of cost effective ‘mechanical’ key operated security is undoubted, even in the current era of electronic access control.
High tech electronic security solutions are the accepted norm for convenient, secure and auditable systems in multi-user environments both in the public and private sectors, however most systems require some level of mechanical back up or override for times when the ‘convenience’ system is inoperative.
The application of restricted keys is essential in this case as anything less leaves the facility vulnerable to a breach of security with little chance of detection as unrestricted keys are able to be copied without any form of authority or identification being required.
Restricted keys, sometimes referred to as ’security keys’ should be used in any situation where key control is required, that is where the owner or manager of a facility would like to retain control of who has keys issued to them and who is authorised to obtain copies of those keys.
This is a simple cost effective solution to an age old problem, that of unauthorised people being in possession of keys to secure premises. Restricted key cylinders are available for most applications and at a cost of little more than some unrestricted options.
The security of Schools, Churches, Youth Clubs, Sports Facilities, Business Premises and even Domestic Homes is vulnerable when keys locking those premises are able to be copied by anyone, without the need for proof or authorisation. Whenever anyone is given a key it is no longer under the control of it’s owner. If so inclined the key holder may then attempt to obtain copies and if not restricted could return the originals to the owner and they would be non the wiser that other ‘illicit’ keys were in circulation. Restricted keys would foil the attempt to copy the keys and in some cases may even lead to the attempted duplication being highlighted to the owner.
Even without criminal intent, many unrestricted keys are copied by people who simply want the convenience of holding a key themselves, without having to ask the authorised holder for it’s use. Once the additional keys are in existence however, the systematic corruption of security is underway. Should anything untoward occur on the premises secured by those keys then it becomes almost impossible to identify the perpetrator as no one is exactly sure just who, or even how many people may have had access to the keys.
Restricted keys are low cost, readily available at most Master Locksmith’s Approved security retailers and an essential consideration for anyone responsible for the security of home or business premises.
“Remember – Always use a Master Locksmiths Association ‘Approved Company’ when considering your security needs. You can be assured that our trained staff will provide a quality service with integrity to give you total peace of mind.”
Contact Authorized Access by e-mail or phone 0161 762 9936 for further information and a quotation.
Tags: Authorized Access, Business security, Crime prevention, High security locks, Home Security advice, Locks, Restricted keys, Security keys | Posted in Business Advice, Security Advice |
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Posted May 11th, 2011 | No Comments
Having been in business for over 20 years and a qualified Master Locksmith I am regularly asked why I always recommend the use of restricted keys when supplying locks to both Commercial and Domestic customers, in a wide variety of situations.
I, on the other hand am constantly amazed by people who leave themselves wide open to burglary by someone who has had access to a set of keys, eirther at home or at work and have had the opportunity to have those keys copied.
Most businesses and homes are locked by keys which can be readily copied at any convenient locksmith shop or heel bar, where the operators of those businesses are not obliged even to ask for proof of identity, never mind actual ownership of or right to access before making the copy.
Most people don’t consider the consequences of lending out a key; how many times have you left a key to your home with a neighbour while you you are away on holiday, or a cleaner, decorator or workman doing work while you are out? How many employees are key holders to their places of work, either officially or just for convenience?
In all the instances above, if the keys in question were not restricted then it’s possible they could have been copied, again for reasons of convenience or for purposes less than honest! It may not have been the person who you thought was in control of the keys that made the copies but someone else.
The fact is YOU DON”T KNOW!!
Restricted keys are available for most applications where locks are used to secure premisses, for use on wooden doors, uPVC doors, composite doors, aluminium shop door and padlocks for all kinds of use and can cost little more than locks that utilise unrestricted keys.
Some locks are extremely robust and provide adequate deterent against forced entry when ‘brute force’ is used but offer little deterence when locked by an Un-Restricted Key which can be copied without the owners consent or knowledge and used to simply unlock the door, often invalidating any insurance cover the owner may have because it becomes hard to prove that the ‘Minimum Insurance Requirement’ was met as there will be no sign of forced entry!
Typical applications where Restricted Keys enhance the security already in place:
- At home, if you ever allow other people to hold keys on your behalf (ANYONE!)
- At work, if you own a business and members of your staff hold keys.
- Churches/Schools/Youth Clubs/Sports Clubs or any situation where there are multiple key-holders.
- Landlords who let properties, commercial or domestic.
- Any situation where you might want to retain control of who has a key to your premises.
Retaining control of the keys and consequently the access to your property, whether at home or at work should be at the top of your list when considering security, it is fundamental and much easier than you might think!
Contact any Master Locksmith’s Approved Company for advice and remember advice should cost NOTHING!
“Remember – Always use a Master Locksmiths Association ‘Approved Company’ when considering your security needs. You can be assured that our trained staff will provide a quality service with integrity to give you total peace of mind.”
You can contact Authorized Access by e-mail or phone 0161 762 9936 for further information and a quotation.
Tags: Authorized Access, Business security, Crime prevention, High security locks, Home security, Key Control, Minimum Insurance Requirement, Multiple key holders, Restricted keys, security in schools, Security keys, Security Locks, security solutions | Posted in Security Advice |
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Posted April 8th, 2011 | No Comments
You may have fitted secure locks on your doors and windows to comply with the minimum insurance requirements but some windows may still act like unlocked doors to a burglar!
Many homes have double glazed windows where the glass is secured by the beading on the outside. This can easily be removed and is one of the most commen ways that burglars get in. Taking out the glass is quick and makes no noise.
“Market research shows that about 6 million homes in the UK are vulnerable but the fact is that most home owners are unaware taht there is a problem”
Only those to whom it has happened really realise how simple and easy it is for a burglar to gain access!
Manufactureres addressed this problem by providing double sided tape which bonds the glass to the frame but this relies on the window fitters using the tape properly, which in many cases can cause them problems when installing, causing some not to use it at all or apply detergent or silicone to the glass which adversly affect the effectiveness of the tape.
“The fact is there are many reasons why the tape may become ineffective, leaving windows vulnerable to burglars”
Authorized Access recommends the use of
NO GO GLASS LOCKS
Lock the glass into the frame so that the glass cannot be removed without smashing.
“NO GO GLASS LOCKS are designed to be easily fitted to existing windows and are a very cost effective way to make a property even more secure”
Contact Authorized Access by e-mail or phone 0161 762 9936 for further information and a quotation to secure your home.
“Remember – Always use a Master Locksmiths Association ‘Approved Company’ when considering your security needs. You can be assured that our trained staff will provide a quality service with integrity to give you total peace of mind.”
Tags: best home security, Crime prevention, Double glazed window security, Home security, home security products, No-Go Glass locks, upvc window security, window locks for double glazed windows, Window Security | Posted in Security Advice |
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Posted July 10th, 2009 | No Comments
According to a survey conducted by NOP on behalf of insurer NIG, over half (58%) of British residents give away spare sets of keys to their home.
The rate at which spare keys are not reclaimed is highest in rental properties where 7% of tenants do not reclaim spare keys when they move on.
The main recipients of spare keys from the majority of householders are family members (73%); 14% give spare keys to neighbours and 8% give spare keys to friends. These figures do not include those of us who ‘loan’ keys to tradesmen/cleaners or simply leave a spare key under the mat.
If you don’t change the locks to your home as soon as you move in, it is unlikely that you will know exactly how many sets of keys were cut and are in circulation for your new property.
Do you know exactly who has or has had keys to your home and how many copies there are out there? (Remember to think about previous occupants, cleaners, tradesmen, neighbours etc)
“If you have just moved house you are almost twice as likely to be burgled”
According to Home Office statistics, you are almost twice as likely to be burgled in the 12 months after moving house compared with the average burglary rate (4.6% compared with 2.5%). You are nearly three times as likely to be burgled compared with those who have occupied their property for 10 years or more (4.6% compared to 1.6%).
Alarmingly those households with no home security measures were almost ten times (22.5%) more likely to be victims of burglary compared to households that carry out simple security upgrades (2.5%) such as fitting deadlocks on doors and fitting window locks.
“Avoid becoming an easy target for burglars”
Take the first step towards a more secure life, click on the link below and sign up to our no cost security updates. Join us and stay one step ahead of the burglars.
Click on the link Authorized Access
Tags: Burglaries, Burglary, Burglary prevention, crime, Crime prevention, Crime statistics, Home security, security | Posted in Security Advice |
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Posted June 16th, 2009 | 1 Comment
‘Lock Bumping’… You may have heard the term, seen the videos or just heard the horror stories of what’s possible but the fact is that in the UK this type of Burglary is becoming more common as information and tools are easily obtained on the internet. Also the likelihood is that you will not be covered by your insurance company should your house be burgled in this way.
‘Lock Bumping’ is known as ‘Cylinder Bumping’ in the trade and has long been used by locksmiths as a means of gaining entry when people are locked out, however this information and the equipment to carry out the action is rapidly spreading and getting into the wrong hands!
We have the solution at Authorized Access…
PICKBUSTER!!! The shock absorber for cylinders
Thieves and burglars are always looking for easy ways to get into to our homes. Lock Bumping is simple! The burglar uses a modified key to open the lock, and what’s more frustrating is that these keys can be bought easily on the internet, or even made at home!
We are told that just 9 bump key will open 95% of cylinder locks in the UK! Which means that potentially your home is at risk.
A cylinder lock is the type found on uPVC doors, patio doors and a lot of wooded doors. If your key is what you might describe as a ‘Yale Type’ key then your home is at risk.
As a locksmith, when I first heard about this phenomenon, I was dismissive; I didn’t believe that burglars would go to the lengths of practising the skill – because that’s what it is, a skill. However with the availability of the keys and instructions for their use in opening locks so freely available on the World Wide Web, I have had to re-evaluate my thoughts and find a way of staying one step ahead, don’t be fooled, you too need to take action, don’t be mugged by thinking ‘it won’t happen to me.’
‘Lock Bumping’ is quick and silent, with some locks being opened in under 5 seconds!
As the burglar uses a key, there is no damage to the door and no sign of forced entry. You may even think that you left the door unlocked and so would your insurance company! No sign of forced entry usually means no insurance claim being accepted.
PICKBUSTER is a simple economical and permanent solution to the problem of Lock Bumping. It’s a highly developed, synthetic oil, that once inserted into the lock barrel, will act as a shock absorber and this stops the lock being able to be bumped.
Again, as locksmiths we never usually advise that people lubricate locks by simply squirting oil into them, it can cause more harm than good, there are particular lubricants that we would advise but PICKBUSTER really seems to work and doesn’t cause any unwanted side effects.
From as little as £5 per lock when installed while other work is being carried out by our locksmith, or purchased over the counter at £14.99 for a DIY pack to protect upto 5 locks, this is something which should be taken seriously and everyone should take steps to prevent Lock Bumping becoming an epidemic!!
“Remember – Always use a Master Locksmiths Association ‘Approved Company’ when considering your security needs. You can be assured that our trained staff will provide a quality service with integrity to give you total peace of mind.”
For assistance in selecting the ideal solution for your needs, contact AUTHORIZED ACCESS where our fully trained staff will guide you through the process.
Tags: Anti bump locks, Bump proof locks, Crime prevention, Cylinder bumping, Home security, Lock bumping, Pickbuster | Posted in Security Advice |
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Posted May 14th, 2009 | No Comments
We are all aware that the UK is currently in recession and with it has developed a climate of changing crime trends and this is having an impact on both home and business security.
The Government are all too aware of these trends and are encouraging professional security organisations to take appropriate steps to raise awareness.
In a recent news letter, John Bates, Chief Executive of the British Insurance Industry Association (BSIA) said, “Our message to the home owner remains clear – quality home security can make a real difference in protecting your home from burglary. Whilst it might be tempting to avoid investing in security, the damage, loss and sense of invasion from a burglary can have a long-term effect that should not be underestimated.”
The British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) 2007/8 retail crime survey shows that one shoplifting offence is committed every 90 seconds in the UK and retailers remain seriously concerned that the economic slow down will wipe out falls in retail crime achieved over the past year.
According to the Daily Telegraph, levels of reported robbery have risen by 17.5% even in rural areas, since December 2008.
All these statistics are not designed to scare or shock but simply to raise awareness in a way that encourages home and business owners to take an informed approach to their security and obtain professional advice from local security companies, ensuring that those companies are recognised and approved by appropriate industry bodies, like the ‘Master Locksmiths Association’ to ensure that their security is appropriate and cost effective in the current climate.
BSIA’s John Bates says, “Don’t be tempted to cut back on security without ensuring the level of risk you face has been protected against. Such decisions may well prove to be costly in the long run with insurance excess and the loss of time and disruption that crime results in making a real impact, not to mention the human cost of any crime. By choosing quality security suppliers and making an informed decision you will be well placed to protect yourself in the face of changing crime trends.”
Take advantage of free security surveys offered by some approved local companies to ensure your security is appropriate and effective before it’s too late!!
Tags: Business security, Credit crunch, crime, Crime prevention, Home security, security | Posted in Security Advice |
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The value of cost effective ‘mechanical’ key operated security is undoubted, even in the current era of electronic access control.
