Posted June 23rd, 2011 | No Comments
Keeping control of the keys in any organisation can be the biggest threat to breaching security!
Large or small, organsiations with multiple key holders run a serious risk of loosing control of who has keys and how many are in circulation, unless their system uses ‘Restricted Keys’ and a register of keys issued is maintained.
Restricted keys are keys cut on a unique ‘profile’, or shape of key, available only to specified suppliers and issued only on the express authority of the suite owner. This ensures that duplicate keys are not obtained illicetly, either for unauthorised, illegal activity or simply for the convenience of occasional users.
Even in the home, restricted keys improve the security of premises by ensuring that temporary key holders, decorators, builders or cleaners for instance are unable to obtain copies of those keys and giving peace of mind to the owner that as long as keys are reurned after use, their home will not be susseptible to unlawful access after the event.
“I never realised just how many people had keys to my home until I sat down and thought about it!”
In commercial environments where a number of employees are official key holders, whether for an external gate to a vehicle compond for instance or for access to an entire building, if the key system used is not restricted then anyone may obtain copy keys, either to be passed on for illegal purposes or retained after that person no longer works for that organisation, either way control of security in that organisation has been compromised.
Voluntary organisations are repeat offenders when it comes to ‘irresponsible control’ of security. Churches, youth organisations, schools, etc. where multiple key holders may be authorized to provide acccess to various people out of hours often sacrifice secuirity for the sake of convenience but if something untoward were to happen, i.e. a breach of security and property was damaged or stolen, then the finger of suspicion may be pointed to unsuspecting, innocent people if it is known that they allowd or encouraged the unauthorized copying of keys, often causing further internal distrust and ill will.
“A little consideration before an incident occurs can often prevent a lot of unnecessary trouble!”
The use of restricted keys in all these situation, removes the occurence of break-ins, unauthorised entry and theft by people who would not under normal circumstances have been trusted with the security of the building.
Restricted keys are readily available from reputable locksmiths and often at little more expense than non restricted systems.
“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: High security locks, Home security, Home Security advice, home security products, Key Control, Key Cutting, Premises security, registered keys, Restricted Key Cylinder locks, Restricted keys, School security, security in schools, security solutions | Posted in 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 January 28th, 2010 | No Comments
uPVC doors continue to present a challenge for security conscious people since the secure closing of the door depends on the last person through locking the door after themselves.
In the home this can present a problem where children are constantly using doors and leaving them unlocked. In public buildings or schools this issue can have far greater consequence since the duty of care for children and employees lies with the authority, which must ensure that every effort is taken to safeguard the people under its care. Safeguarding children is a current hot topic during OFSTED inspections of schools and can lead to severe penalties being placed on schools who have failed to take adequate precautions.
Traditionally in schools where uPVC doors were fitted as external doors, thumb-turn cylinders were also fitted to make it easier to ensure the doors were locked after use, however, human error could easily allow doors to be left unlocked and so insecure during busy times, especially in schools where staff may be under great pressure from excitable children.
We have had great success installing a battery operated; stand alone fob entry system in schools with uPVC doors. The system retro fits to most uPVC doors, requiring only the handles and lock cylinders to be replaced.
The system, called Smartair can be fitted to all external doors within the school and a single fob programmed to open each door individually, thus members of staff can be issued with a single fob that will operate each and every door.
Fob activation of the lock engages the outside handle, allowing access to the door once. As soon as the door closes the outside handle becomes disengaged and access is no longer possible until the fob is reintroduced.
Exit through the door is always possible during the working day as the inside handle is permanently engaged. This satisfies all the requirements of safety and security. If the door is closed, it is certain to be locked from the outside but exit is still possible in an emergency.
Smartair Standalone access control is the ideal solution for schools seeking a solution to the problem of Safeguarding Children in schools with uPVC doors.
No wiring required, which means speedy installation and minimal disruption to school life, even during term time!
Smartair can also be fitted to wooden doors, guaranteeing a comprehensive and effective total school security solution.
For more information and a quotation to secure your school, contact AUTHORIZED ACCESS fitted prices are from £395+VAT per door.
“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
Tags: Access control in schools, double glazed door security, External door security, ofsted, Safeguarding children, School security, security in school, security in schools, Smartair, upvc door security, uPVC locks | Posted in Security Advice |
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Posted October 8th, 2009 | No Comments
Quite rightly, one of the areas OFSTED are focusing on is the security of our children in schools. They are going to great lengths to ensure schools are identifying potential areas where inadequate security could lead to an opportunist gaining access and compromising the safety of staff and children.
“A few timely precautions will often prevent embarrassment at inspection, or worse exposing a child to danger”
While most schools do their best to create a secure environment for their pupils, the conflict between safety and security often presents great challenges.
Doors providing access to and from playground areas at play time could be left insecure all day, as often these doors require the action of needing to be physically locked by staff during lesson time, which means they may be forgotton.
UPVC doors, which can be notoriously difficult to fit additional security or self closing mechanisms to, can be opened and left insecure by unsuspecting pupils.
Head teachers or site managers should engage the services of a Security Specialist, Master Locksmith or other appropriately approved Security Consultant, who would carry out a security audit or survey, often FREE OF CHARGE and make recommendations and give priced quotations for the appropriate level of work to be carried out to make their school safe for pupils and staff as well as meeting OFSTED inspection guidelines
There are solutions to most security issues faced in schools in the current climate, although some are not widely recognised this includes a new and innovative product for uPVC doors.
To sign up to regular security updates from Authorized Access Ltd, a Master Locksmith’s Association Approved company with over 20 years experience in the field, follow the link below.
AUTHORIZED ACCESS SECURITY UPDATES
If you are a concerned parent or work in a school where you think this may be an issue, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice or to arrange your security audit at
info@authorized-access.co.uk
or call on
0161 762 9936
Tags: Add new tag, child safety, ofsted, ofsted reports, school safety, School security, securing schools, security in schools | Posted in Security Advice |
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