Master Key Systems: The Ultimate Guide

Secure access control and high security locks for businesses and institutions are a must. They play a key role in keeping areas secure and assets safe. Master key systems are a crucial example of secure locks and systems, and they’re ideal for many reasons. They offer a hierarchical access approach to individuals who use these premises.

But what are master key systems, and what are their components? This Lock-Up Services ultimate guide to master key systems will explore their features and benefits, plus the best practices you should follow when using them.

What Is a Master Key System?

Now, master key systems are types of locking systems that business owners can install throughout a building. Every lock in such systems can be accessed with just one key, known as a master key. And typically, a facility manager or company owner will keep the master key to access areas of the building when needed.

A master key in a master key system will open all the lock cylinders that the key system features. It’s also the case that a differ key can open their corresponding lock in the master key system, but not every lock in the system.

Traditional key systems function differently. For example, you will notice that the keys in these systems only open one room within a hotel, while a master key will open every hotel door. This difference can be explained by the pins. Master key systems have additional pins (master shim features) that make it possible to open these locks with differ and master keys.

We also advise that there are a few different master key systems in a hierarchy, which can include great grandmaster keys, grandmaster keys, master keys, and sub-master keys.

Master Key Hierarchy & Components You Need to Know

When we look at the master key hierarchy, we can see that the great grandmaster key is at the top of the access levels. It can give access to the spaces that have been secured with grandmaster, master, and sub-key systems.

Sitting below this is the grandmaster key, which is the second-highest access level in the hierarchy. The grandmaster key can open master and sub-master key systems. Its access level is greater than the sub-master but less than the great grandmaster key.

Below the grandmaster key are the master and sub-master keys. While the master key holder can’t open locks at the level of great grandmaster or grandmaster, they can open some levels below this. On the other hand, a sub-master key offers a greater access level than a differ key for a singular lock, and unlocks a subset of locks – which may be within a specific department.

We mentioned that master key systems have additional pins. These pins have varying lengths, so the master key can interact with the pins to unlock the mechanism. When the key matches these pins at one of the shear lines, the cylinder will turn. And for the master key and the differ keys to function, the shim between the top and bottom pins splits the shear lines into two so each key acts upon its corresponding line.

Master Key System Benefits

Restricted access and enhanced security are two of the advantages of master key systems, ensuring specific areas are off-limits to some personnel. It can give business owners the peace of mind that unauthorized individuals will not be able to enter a restricted area.

Our commercial locksmiths also advise that managers running a property business can gain convenience from such systems. Tenants can use the differ keys to access their individual apartments, benefitting from privacy and security, while property managers can access the building when required, such as in emergencies, using the master key.

Using such systems also means that there are fewer chances of losing keys because you will not need to distribute multiple keys or make various copies to give staff access to areas within the building. This ties into the wide range of enhanced security advantages, meaning thieves or criminals will be less likely to find a lost key and gain access to the business premises.

Master Key System Types

Mechanical, electronic, and hybrid master key system types exist. While the mechanical master key system features mechanical components and keys, electronic systems grant access or handle access management via electronic devices and computers. These electronic devices can work with keypads or controllers.

Now, a hybrid master key system combines mechanical and digital elements. These feature mechanical elements, physical keys that work with the mechanical elements or keycards that function with the digital elements. Such systems enable you to access areas of the building and manage the authorization or how the master key is being used via online admin features.

Steps for Implementing a Master Key System

Our commercial locksmith service professionals advise that implementing a master key system starts with assessing the security needs of your building. This is easier with an audit.

You have the option of working alongside a professional locksmith or security expert to complete the audit and consider the best ways and approaches to install the system. Discussing the hierarchies and the access levels, the distribution of keys, and talking about the components are all possible at this stage.

Your professional Toronto commercial locksmith can help you design the key hierarchy according to your needs. This can depend on the layout of your business and the location of vital, high-security areas.

It might involve utilizing a custom key hierarchy, and you may choose to implement a grandmaster key to grant overall access, a set of master keys for different buildings within your business, as well as a sub-master key set for floors within each of those buildings. With the master key hierarchy established, you will just need to select appropriate locks and types of keys by considering their hardware compatibility and ease of use.

Once a professional locksmith, such as Lock-Up Services, has installed your master key system, and ensured it aligns with the best locksmith industry standards, you’ll need to focus on ongoing maintenance. For this, you can complete regular reviews of the system by checking it periodically and making adjustments, lubricating locks, and checking for wear and tear to maintain the optimum level of security.

Managing Master Key Systems: Best Practices

We have touched upon a few ways to maintain master keys. But master key system management is also important to ensure the system functions efficiently and avoiding the issue of lost keys. Some of the system management best practices you may consider include keeping precise key control policy and keeping track of keyholders.

Now, your key control policy and keyholder tracking process can involve creating an inventory of the keys and the access points they control. Taking this action will reveal the extent of the master key system management requirements you need to handle. To do this, you’ll also need to utilize either a digital system or logbook to have up-to-date records related to key issuance and who the keyholders are.

We also advise that security protocol training for staff is important, helping them understand risks related to poor master key management. It can prevent incidents such as security breaches and is best done by including information on emergency lockout procedures, when to request 24-hours emergency locksmith services, policies related to key duplication, and information on key management best practices.

3 Issues to Consider with Master Key Systems

Even after the master key lock installation is completed with locksmith services in Toronto, a few issues, such as key duplication, lost keys, or stolen master keys, can still threaten the security of the building. We recommend taking the actions below to handle these issues:

• Key duplication: We advise ensuring that only authorized personnel should complete key duplication as these individuals can decide when key duplication is needed and prevent excessive numbers of keys from circulating or getting into the wrong hands. It’s also important to maintain your key log, providing visibility into who has access to the keys.
• Lost or stolen master keys: In the event you lose a master key, or it is stolen, we suggest changing the locks and checking the logs to determine which areas are at risk of unauthorized access. Ensure you also emphasize the importance of key management processes and think about utilizing surveillance systems alongside the physical locks.
• Gaps in security: We recommend considering upgrades to electronic master key systems to enhance the security of your business premises. An electronic system offers and keeps logs to help you see who accessed each area and at what time they did so, which is ideal for high-traffic business premises, such as commercial buildings.

Install and Utilize Master Key Systems with Lock-Up Services

Master key systems can be a security-enhancing option to keep assets and personnel safe and areas secure within your business. Incorporating these systems is best done by tailoring them to your business’s specific needs.

Consulting with professional locksmiths is one of the easiest ways to install a custom master key system for your business, and Lock-Up Services can help you complete this process. To install master key systems, contact us today. Our professionals can enhance the security of your business premises and are ready to assist you when required.