Worried About Securing Your Business? What You Should Know About Restricted Keyways

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When you run a business and have a high staff turnover or have keys that aren't always as secure as they should be, unauthorized access to your building is a real concern. If you're looking at options to help improve your building security, one of the things that you may want to explore is the use of restricted keyways. Here's a look at what you should know about these lock systems.

What Are They?

Restricted keyways are special locks made with a lock tumbler (also called a keyway) and a key blank; and, they are difficult to access by anyone other than the individual who ordered them. When you buy restricted keyway locks system for your business, you'll be able to restrict how and when key duplicates can be made.

How Do They Work?

When buying a restricted keyway lock system, you'll order a keyway for each door that you want to secure. How many you order is usually up to you, but the locksmith you work with may have a set minimum that you have to meet. Once that initial set of keyways and key blanks have been installed, you can't get a duplicate key from just any locksmith.

In fact, if you are visiting a local locksmith for a duplicate key to a restricted keyway lock system, you'll have to present an authorization card to the locksmith. That authorization card will be provided to you by the manufacturer of the lock. Then, the locksmith you visit will have to validate your identity by photo identification and signature before calling the manufacturer for authorization to create a duplicate.

Even after receiving authorization, the locksmith will have to wait for a key blank to be sent that matches the restricted key used on the lock system. Then, the locksmith will be able to make the key. Alternatively, you can contact the manufacturer with the identification number stamped on your key and request another key. The manufacturer will ship it to you provided you are listed on the authorization card.

What About Bump Keys?

In order for a bump key to work in a lock, you need the right blank for the bump key. If the bump key doesn't match the keyway, it won't work. Since the key blanks are only accessible with authorization, you won't have to worry about a would-be intruder using a bump key on your company's door locks.

If you want to limit your need to rekey your door locks every time a key holder leaves the company, restricted keyways are a great investment. After all, when they key blanks are only accessible to authorized individuals, you don't have to worry about any extra keys being out there anywhere. To help improve your company's security, talk with a commercial locksmith today about restricted keyways.


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