The truth about secure access control systems
"Know how to get a commercial insurance claim turned down? Simple- fit an unprotected key system!!"
Patented keys protect
It is true! If a loss is suffered and a claim is made then forcible entry or exit has had to occur. Therefore if an authorised key has been used, then the claim for loss is invalid.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) in their guide Insurance advice for businesses publication confirms:
Theft
Contents are usually covered against theft providing there has been forcible and violent entry to or exit from the premises.
The ABI guide can be downloaded here or you can visit their website http://www.abi.org.uk/
How can forcible entry not occur?
For a secure door, there are two main reasons why forcible entry will not occur:
- The door is left unlocked by mistake.
- An unauthorised key is used.
How Patented Keys protect
It is extremely easy to identify in any organisation who is likely to hold a masterkey. The Managing Director, the Head Teacher, the Security Manager for example.
If their keys can be borrowed without their knowledge and a duplicate can be cut locally, then the borrower becomes an unauthorised masterkey holder.
Cylinder systems that rely on copyright protection can no longer be legally protected from others manufacturing and selling ‘pirate’ keyblanks. Only cylinder systems that offer Patent protection for their keys can truly legally protect against illegal keyblank duplication.
Tigris® Premier and Tigris® Omega are patented key systems. Keys are only available from the manufacturer via the original supplier of the security system or with a letter of authority.
Keyblanks are not available and Patent Law protects against the sale of illegal copy blanks.
The golden rules for selecting a secure system
The truth is, if secure access control is your priority, the golden rules for selecting a security system for commercial premises are:
- Get key control: by insisting on cylinder system that offers lengthy patented key control.
- Use the highest rated product security from EN1303:2005: the highest grades of lock security from EN1303:2005 are 6 for key related security and 2 for attack related security.
Tigris® Premier and Tigris® Omega are patented and have been successfully tested to these highest grades.
Get key control - who has got control of the keys?
This is the single most important area to consider. You can buy the most expensive and secure access control system but if there is no key control, then the system offers extremely low or zero security.
Consider the following scenarios:
- In the construction period, who has had the keys? How can you be sure that a masterkey for example has not been duplicated? This poses a problem not just for the building user but also the contractor cannot indemnify themselves against future claims where ‘unforced entry’ has occurred.
- In the day to day running of a building, keys, even Masterkeys, frequently change hands. There is plenty of opportunity for duplicate keys to be made. Similarly key holders who are leaving employment often have the opportunity to duplicate keys before they hand the original back.
- A little known fact is that most commercial insurance policies do not cover losses when ‘unforced entry’ has occurred. Therefore, if a problem has occurred by the use of an unauthorised key, there is no cover*.
*Source: Association of British Insurers (ABI), Insurance advice for businesses publication
It is vital therefore to select a secure access control system where the risk of unauthorised duplication of keys is minimal. This protection is afforded by a patented Masterkey system.
A patented key/masterkey will not be copied by a shop or a locksmith. It provides comfort to the building user and the building contractor that the keys cut by the manufacturer are the only ones that exist. This affords the secure access control system the right to call the product "high security".
And finally, a Patent does have a limited life; insist on a system that has lengthy UK or European patent protection.
EN1303:2005 European Standard
This standard provides a simple and independent assessment of how secure a system is.
It eliminates the uncertainty of claims of ‘high security’ and tests products and awards grades as follows:
- Key related security (number of variations in key cuts etc.) Grades 1 to 6 where grade 6 is the highest possible.
- Attack related security (how easy the lock is to break) Grades 0 to 2 where grade 2 is the highest possible.
If in doubt, insist upon the highest grades i.e. 6 & 2.
Tigris® Premier and Tigris® Omega are patented and have been successfully tested to these highest grades.
Details of Tigris® patent protection can be viewed in the 'How Secure' section of 'Masterkey Considerations'.
Tigris® compliance to EN1303 can be viewed in the 'Standards' section.
Existing Tigris® system owners can take steps to upgrade security of their existing system. Read our upgrade options or contact us.
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