Key Systems: The First Line of Defense

In the world of security there are a number of areas that need to be in sync with each other. One of those areas is physical security devices and the key system of a facility. Since 9-11 we have seen an increase in onsite security. This type of security is in the form of guard force personnel and early warning electronic detection equipment. 
I would like to direct you through the different areas of key system security. A number of these important areas are overlooked for various reasons. What is the ultimate key system for facilities? To be honest, there are a number of key systems that will provide the protection needed to keep a facility safe and secure. Rather than give you a brand name, let me give you the requirement for a good keying system.

High Security Standards: High security standards have been in use in the United States since the early1960s. This standard was developed for the alarm key switch market. This was before digital push buttons and cards entered the market. Underwriters Laboratories started testing cylinders on how long it took to bypass and defeat the cylinder. Five manufacturers had their cylinders listed under this very difficult requirement. The standard for the past 40 years has been has been UL 437. In the late 1960’s door lock cylinders were added to the growing number of UL 437 listed high security cylinders. Today over 20 manufacturers offer UL 437 listed high security cylinders.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in conjunction with Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) is developing a new high security standard that will rate high security cylinders in three grades. Once this is approved, UL may change its testing standard to incorporate the most stringent standard of ANSI into their UL 437 rating.

Electromechanical High Security Cylinders: In today’s integrated security systems, we have a new type of key and cylinder that can integrate with HIP Prox systems and be a stand alone access control system for key-by-pass cylinders, and integrate with a mechanical key system. Even though a facility may have a high security cylinder to protect key-bypass, it doesn’t record what time that key accessed a by-pass cylinder and it doesn’t identify the user of the key. This new type of key system integrates with a mechanical high security key system, integrates with an HID Prox access control system and maintains a stand alone access control system within these cylinders and keys and can record the date, time and user that accessed the door.

Sensitive Areas: Access to any electronic security control panels will render an electronic system inoperative. Not only is a secure door lock key system needed, but also the same or a similar key system is needed for electronic control  of cabinets.

Most people feel that if the security control cabinet has a key, then it is secure. They cannot be more wrong. The manufacturers of these cabinets use the most common inexpensive type of key cylinders and 90 percent can be opened with a paperclip and offer only about a second of delayed time before they are compromised.
A number of High Security Lock manufacturers offer high security cam and/or cabinet locks for securing cabinets and they can be keyed into the door lock key system. Look for the UL mark. Underwriters Laboratories UL 437 is the standard for high security cylinders and this is carried over into cam and cabinet locks by leading manufacturers.