Master key systems in Ballina

With the days of cumbersome bunches of keys behind us, the convenient way to key groups of locks is to have them keyed alike—one key works all locks.

If want some locks to remain unopened, you’d want a master key system. The master key would open or close all locks in the system, whereas specified locks would deny access for keys other than the master key.

So the master key has full authority and the other keys have restricted authority. Restricted access keys would be appropriate for most people in the building, while the master keys would likely be entrusted to owners and managers, and perhaps janitors.

The master key system is typically used in schools and office complexes and by hotel owners and landlords. Rather than having a large bunch of different keys, the landlord, in this case, only needs one key to access all their properties.

The team at SPL Ballina Locksmiths designs and installs master key systems for every type of residential and commercial property. These include:

• Multi-tenanted buildings & residential apartment complexes
• Hotels
• Backpacker lodges
• Commercial office buildings
• Schools, colleges, universities
• Retail outlets
• Restaurants
• Council assets
• Poker machines

We supply and install a range of different master key systems, from standard through to high security.

Standard master key systems consist of large numbers of cylinders, each of which can be supplied with individual keys, but which would also be opened by a master key.

Additional keys can be cut at any key cutting shop or locksmith. It is advisable to have your keys cut by a qualified locksmith.

By installing a master key system in your premises, you’re investing in a quality security solution, however if you are looking for a higher level of security, consider investing in a restricted or high-security restricted master key system.

Restricted master key systems are patented keys, available only to approved agents. You won’t find them at the local hardware store or key cutting shop.

As the name implies, this advanced level of security system restricts the availability and distribution of key blanks and barrels. The big advantage of a restricted master key system is that the locksmith controls the system.

Records are kept on who is authorised to have keys. This gives unprecedented security through key control.

In-line with this master key security strategy, at SPL Ballina Locksmiths, we would not cut a duplicate key without a letter or order signed by one of the signatories for your system.

The integrity of the restricted system is protected by agreements stipulated by the manufacturer that is binding, legally and ethically, on locksmiths.

In addition, all restricted keys are individually stamped with a system number, rank and sequential generation. This can be used to track keys in circulation at any time and means you would have complete peace of mind with this system.

There are online articles showing ways to breach master key security systems. Unfortunately, the first to suffer was the humble “inline pin cylinder” which is the basis of approximately 98% of all locks in Australia.

The solution to beat the hackers is to install a state-of-the-art, high-security, master locking system, such as BiLock and ABLOY PROTEC.

These systems work in the same way as the restricted master key system and are used extensively by private, commercial and government clients. They are distributed only through a highly restricted dealer network.

ABLOY PROTEC: Featuring a long-lasting legal and physical protection against unauthorised key duplication, this product is the culmination of 90 years of world-leading development of the rotating disc cylinder. SCEC endorsed for secure area applications, this strong, one-piece metal key ensures against expensive ongoing key replacements. The absence of pins and springs provides unmatched resistance to wear and corrosion of internal parts.

BiLock: This is the most recognised high-security master key system commonly used by the Royal Australian Mint, Las Vegas casinos, international airports and military establishments.

The entire lock is self-contained within the one-half inch plug diameter. It includes two parallel rows of 6-pin tumblers with each row acting independently with its sidebar—the equivalent of two sidebar locks in a one-half inch cylinder.

Each side of the lock is operated separately by each half of the dual-bladed key. Both the lock mechanism and the key forming process are patented worldwide.