Did you know that thirty percent of all burglaries are unlawful entry without force? This means the thief had a key. As a business owner, with possibly several locations, you might feel like it is impossible to keep track of every single key that every employee has in their possession and how to know how many copies of those keys are floating around.

Restricted keyways and high security systems are strong, substantial options for securing your business and bring peace of mind when it comes to having unwanted intruders having access to your buildings and units. Employee turnover and short term tenants will only need to return their keys when leaving your business. There is no reason to worry about returning visitors since restricted keys cannot be easily duplicated.

The term “keyway” is defined as the shape of the interface between a lock and its key. A restricted keyway system is one where all locks and keys are tied to a single master key and can only be ordered through authorized dealers. Physical master key duplicates cannot be made without going through a few steps of approval, often including written consent, meaning security is tighter with lower chances of a break-in occurring. These locking systems come with a patent so locksmiths cannot create duplicate keys. Most often workers and even owners will not have a duplicate master key which makes the odds of an extra master key getting into the hands of the wrong person very slim.

What are Restricted Keyway and High Security Keys?

Another benefit to restricted keyways is the time and money saved by never having to replace your locks. New employees and tenants joining your facility only need to be handed the corresponding key and they are ready to go.

With tighter security and smarter technology these systems can come with a higher price tag. However, the upfront investment often pays off and even saves money in the long run considering the locks never need to be replaced. Restricted keyways and high security keys are more prevalent for various businesses and industries because of the many winning protective measures.

What is the difference between high security locks and high security keys?

Most high security locks are designed with components to resist manipulation from lockpicking and decoding attacks. High security locks are made of stronger, heavier materials. They have thicker screws and other anti-theft measures built in along with being bump proof.

The number of real and theoretical keys differs in high security locks to prevent cross keying and allow for complex master keying configurations. Patented key systems prolong the security of a building by allowing only the patent holding manufacturer to create a unique key blank that can only be obtained by written consent of the building owner. This prevents unauthorized users from duplicating keys and compromising the security of the building.

In house developed key management systems give the owner a minute by minute report of everyone accessing sensitive areas. These patented key systems can offer up to 20 years of protections before the patent expires.

Keys that are not patent protected can and will be easily duplicated by any company, hardware store or retailer. Investing in a restricted keyway and high security keys is absolutely your safest bet.

Want to learn more about high security locks? Check out our blog post Best High Security Locks to Prevent Break-ins