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 March 4th, 2011 | No Comments
Securing your home or business against criminals is vital and need not be expensive or time consuming.
Most home owners would not consider restricted key systems when choosing locks for their home simply because they are NOT AWARE they are available, it is often considered a security solution only for businesses. Restricted keys enhance the security provided by any lock and without them, even ‘high security’ locks can be compromised by the keys being copied at random with little or no control.
At Authorized Access we will fit a security lock to your door then register its keys to YOU; this stops duplicate keys being cut without your knowledge, giving you total control of the keys to your home or business.
Restricted keys allow you to give a cleaner or other tradesman the key to your home and as long as you get it back, you know they will have been unable to obtain copies. At work, staff issued with keys to premises are unable to have extra keys cut without your express permission, again GIVING YOU TOTAL CONTROL over who has access to your premises.
Where would this be useful?
- Business premises with multiple key holders.
- Keep control and know which members of staff have keys
- At home where keys are made available to cleaners, neighbours, tradesmen etc.
- As long as you get the keys back you know nobody has been able to get copies made
- Churches, Schools, Clubs and Sports Clubs with multiple key holders.
- Nobody who is unauthorized will be able to get keys copied
- Any situation where key control is required.
- Stay in control of your security
IN BUSINESS
Looking after property, stock and the people who work within the business makes great business sense. It is vital that you make sure that the security measures taken are appropriate, realistic and cost effective. You need to keep criminals out while allowing your customers, suppliers and employees in.
Your business activity will guide your approach to security. In simple terms, high value products will attract more criminal activity and demand a higher level of security, however even those items with a perceived low cost value will be attractive to somebody. Taking a logical approach to securing your business will help ensure you don’t miss anything that might help deter crime. “In the current climate, the effect of interruption to business is greater than ever before.
By changing the locks and installing a RESTRICTED KEY SYSTEM you guarantee that you are in total control of who has keys and therefore access, to your property. Taking these simple steps now may save you from considerable heartache and upset later and costs little more than other non restricted options.
“Remember – Always use a Master Locksmiths Association ‘Approved Company’ when considering restricted keys as a means of securing your property, where you can be assured that trained staff will provide a quality service with integrity to give you total peace of mind.”
For assistance contact AUTHORIZED ACCESS or call 0161 762 9936, where our fully trained staff will guide you through the process.
Tags: Business security, High security locks, Home security, Home Security advice, Locks, Locksmiths Bury, Master Locksmiths Bury, Restricted keys, security, Security keys, security solutions | Posted in Security Advice |
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Posted March 19th, 2010 | No Comments
It’s that time again, the silly season, when companies and organisations panic in an attempt to make sure their entire financial budget is spent. We all know the sentiment, we all agree it’s crazy but there it is, if you don’t spend it, you lose it and next year you may be penalised for it.
If you fall into the category of Financial Manager, Budget Manager or simply work in an organisation where this culture applies and you have been asking for that important piece of equipment all year and the answer has been “I don’t know if we can afford it”, NOW is the time to bang the desk and insist that you have your share of the spend. Don’t let the surplus be wasted on frivolous hasty purchases. You only have until 31 March to get that purchase authorized!
If you are responsible for allocating budget and you find that you have a surplus, have you considered SECURITY as an area to spend it?
- Protect your assets
- Duty of care to your staff
- Protect your Intellectual goods
- Remove temptation
Remember – Spend It Or Lose IT!!
For advice on the best solution for your business security,
contact Authorized Access
phone 0161 762 9936
or call into our showroom at
50b Bolton Street, Bury,BL9 0LL
and our helpful staff will advise and assist you
Tags: annual budget, budget breakdown, budget excess, budget ideas, budget planning, Budget surplus, financial budget, how to protect your assets, protect assets, Protecting assets, Security ideas, security solutions | Posted in Security Advice |
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