Key Control Tips to Help Keep Your Business Secure
As a business owner, protecting your business is likely one of your main priorities. Whether it's protecting vital information or costly equipment, keeping it protected is important. Taking the time to develop an effective key control system is a good way to accomplish this goal. Familiarizing yourself with some of the fundamentals of key control is a good place to begin.
Specialized Keys
One of the most important things for you to do is ensure you are using registered keys on your main doors and any locked areas in your business that contain sensitive equipment or information. Registered keys are those that cannot be duplicated. They typically have the words do not copy inscribed on them. In the event someone takes one of these keys to a locksmith for duplication, they will be unsuccessful. In addition to registered keys, a locksmith can also help design your locks with high-security keys.
High-security keys don't necessarily have copy restrictions, but they are very hard to duplicate. With this type of key, you can't simply walk into any place that duplicates keys and have it replaced. Typically, these keys can only be duplicated by the original locksmith that designed it. This type of feature can serve as a major theft deterrent for your organization, eliminating the risk of extra keys floating around that you aren't aware of.
Manage Keys
Don't make the mistake of passing out keys like you do office supplies. None of your employees should be exchanging keys without record. Make sure you are tasking someone with the responsibility of managing keys. Create and maintain a secure database that includes detailed information on which keys have been issued and to whom.
In addition to keeping a record of who has keys and any key exchanges, it's also a good idea to establish a list of terms that an employee must complete before they are issued a key. Employment for a certain length of time, a background check or a supervisory role are just a handful of the terms an employee might have to meet before a key can be issued. Managing your keys limits the number of people who have access to your business and helps keep track of all keys.
Protecting your business begins with you. Make certain you are making an effort to accomplish this goal. With a locksmith and key control fundamentals, you can help ensure your business remains protected. For assistance, talk to a professional like Lock-Up Services Inc.