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Key
control
is not a new issue for any facility. What is innovative are the
options available on the market today to deal with the problem.
The standard approach was to adopt a high security system that
marries a computerized key tracking records management system.
This is still a good option for most facilities.
But with the responsibility for the safety and security of more
and more employees and visitors, administrators should be
looking for a security system that would provide them with the
peace of mind they need, as well as the key control a facility
system their size demands.
The system that is gaining popularity is the new
electronic stand alone customizable key-based access control
system, which provides instant capability to rekey and re-combinate
locks without hardware changes or the services of a locksmith.
The patented key and cylinder hardware prevents unauthorized
duplication of keys and
allows
the user to rekey any level of a master key system without
affecting any other level.
The software and secure controller that can be
networked or placed on a stand-alone computer, enables control
of every individually serial-numbered key, every lock and every
user in the system, using the electronic recording function in
every cylinder and key to provide answers to access control
questions, such as “who went through that door at 2 a.m.?”
With the support of your facility, you should
adopt a strict patented electronic key system to make it clear
that passing along or copying keys was no longer an option, and
the facility should institute a program whereby any person
issued a key is required to sign a contract. These contracts
specifically assign responsibility for keeping track of the key,
and detail what access each key-holder is allowed.
This accountability, along with a proprietary
records management software program that provides real-time
Webbased records management, has improved security and minimized
the number of ‘‘lost’‘ keys the facility typically had to
deal with in the past.
Modern Tools for Modern Times
The security master software
used by the facility staff gives them the capability to manage
key control in the minutest detail. The ability to have secured
computer based records management to order new keys, change
key-holder status and basically handle complete recordkeeping –
along with the capability to rekey any cylinder in a matter of
minutes — is also what most facilities are looking for today.
The cylinders installed in facilities take the
place of waiting for and paying a professional locksmith to
rekey. They also eliminate the need to move cores around or
collect and redistribute keys.
The savings realized by no longer needing to
call on locksmiths except in a support role, calls that
typically ran from $50 to $150 per visit, are paying for the new
system through time. And it is able to manage the key control
system for the entire complex of buildings with the support of
one on-site locksmith.
The electronic cylinders and key systems have
been used successfully in hundreds of facilities throughout
North America since 1995. They have been retrofitted in several
buildings built in the 1900’s and are being installed in all new
buildings because of the unique electronically re-keying
technology and the computerized record and control system.
You are finally capable of tracking all of the
keys that have been issued and, since these keys cannot be
duplicated, we are assured that a high level of security is
maintained. I would recommend this electronic lock cylinder and
key system for all facilities.
Exploring Your Options
It’s important to note that the selection
process for a new security system is time-consuming. But calling
on physical security specialists who represent many different
security vendors can help. To expedite the evaluation process,
administrators called on local physical security specialist to
help you weigh the pros and cons of electromechanical lock and
key systems with computer chips built in, traditional locks and
keys and customizable key systems.
Specifically, the
evaluation process should take into consideration costs, time to
implement, the potential for security breaches and on-going
vendor support. The vendor and system selection will take into
consideration the total number of doors that would need new
keys, the frequency with which the facility had been changing
out locks and the short and long-term costs to implement and
maintain the system.
Security Choices
The current marketplace offers
facilities many choices when it comes to security. While the
popularity of electronic ‘‘keys,’‘ or as they are more commonly
known, ‘‘smart cards,’‘ enables using one card for a multitude
of applications –such as door access, identification and
tracking purchases — the cost to implement this type of system
was considered cost prohibitive. The down side to this system is
that you still must purchase a high security cylinder and key
system to protect the key by-pass.
Traditional locks and keys
were being replaced for many reasons. While it’s easy to stamp
‘‘DO NOT DUPLICATE’‘ onto a key, those keys can be duplicated.
This type of system automatically leaves itself open to security
breaches.
Locks and keys with computer
chips built-in must also be considered. These sophisticated
systems are gaining popularity for facilities where it’s
important to know who is accessing what doors, and exactly when
they are entering the exiting facilities, the cost to install
and maintain the new electromechanical key and cylinder with
extensive audit trail, time zoning and insistent changeability
should always be your first choice. The price of these stand a
lone systems has come down with technology improvements to where
the total cost per door is below $600.
The electromechanical key
system was first compared to the traditional lock and key
system, but it was quickly apparent that this system offered
more features and benefits. First of all, the system includes
keys that have individual electronic serial numbers so the
recordkeeping for the facility became simplified. And the
patented technology allows for repeated re-keying by simply
inserting the electromechanical key and uploading the new users
list and retrieving the audit trail list at the same time. In
multilevel master key systems — like large facilities – all
cylinders are electronically keyed and can be updated in a
matter of seconds.
By implementing a new
electromechanical key system, you have the option to master key
the cylinders mechanically as well as electronically. You also
can have a combination of both. To aid the facility in keeping
costs down, mechanical cylinders are also introduced into the
system where audit trails are not needed. That way doors that
very seldom get re-keyed but need to be on the entire key system
can be keyed using a UL437 listed or a non UL437 listed high
security cylinder that offers the facility three different price
points for flexibility. This reduces the total number of keys
distributed, which will give the facilities staff confidence in
their key control effort. ❑
Tom Demont,
AHC, CAI, CIL, CML, CSI is the director of Sales and Marketing
for ASSA High Security Locks and has over 50 years in the
security hardware industry. For more information, go to
www.assacliq.com.
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