Considering Master Key System Design

When considering upgrading your master key systems security the most important question to answer is; how can I minimise the risk of a security breach by implementing?

We recommend 3 solutions to consider first:

1. Best practice master key systems design – installing external and internal master key systems. Our best practice guides are available for download here.
2. Key control – making sure only those with authorised access have the appropriate key. Key control is a major security issue solved by Access2.
3. High security products – making sure the products used have an independently verified high security rating. Tigris cylinder locks are built to be standards compliant

Security risk vs. cost calculation

Even the most expensive and elaborate security system will be able to be breached in some way. So security is all about managing risk, how much investment in time and money is it worth to reduce the risk that your security system is breached. That calculation depends on what is being protected and how much it costs to employ effective measures to keep it secure.

Cost effective security upgrades

1. Best practice Master key system design

Our best practice guides for health and education provide more detail but one of the key recommendations applies  for most commercial and public buildings; Separate external doors from internal doors. This provides 2 benefits:

• You can afford to put higher security on the (relatively few) external doors where the risk of unauthorised entry is highest.
• If your external door security is compromised (e.g. loss of a masterkey) the internal doors provide another barrier and the cost of renewing your security is limited to a few external doors only.

Cost effective Masterkey upgrade options are:

• Install eTigris^® access control on external doors.
• Swap out the existing cylinders on external doors for a new ‘external’ masterkey system.

2. Key Control

This is very often the weakest point of any system. Making sure only authorised users have access to the correct areas at all times can be an administrative nightmare. Access² recommend the following key control upgrades:

• Upgrade to a patented master key system to prevent unauthorised copying of keys.
• Upgrade to eTigris access control for external doors to allow simple access code changes if users change without returning keys.

Not taking these precautions can lead to any business owners nightmare, insurance claim denial due to unforced entry.

3. High Security Products

All products seem to be described as ‘high security’ these days. Make sure you really do have a product that will withstand an attack from a criminal by using products set to a

• For cylinder locks look at EN1303:2005 British & European Standard.
• For lockcases look at EN 12209:2003.
• For electronic access control look at EN 50133.