4 Things You Didn’t Know About Master Key System Security (2024)

There are many benefits to key control systems that include master keys. Particularly for multi-site organizations, master key systems are an important security tool that give your facilities managers necessary access to all areas of their location. From superior control over your key security to extreme convenience, master keys are used by many businesses for streamlined and effective key management. To illustrate the benefits of this kind of security system, take a look at InstaKey’s master key capabilities. Keep reading for some insider information about the components that make up your master key security.

1. Master Key Systems Are Created on Restricted Keyways

If a criminal manages to copy a key for your locking system, the security implications for your business could be catastrophic. Employees who copy keys for their own convenience can also open up serious security holes for your business. This is why master keys are created onrestricted keyways, which prevents unauthorized copying. Restricted keyways are patented, which means that they can't be sold on the open market and can't be copied at a hardware store or commercial location. Instead, master keys can only be copied with your authorization by your key provider. This is a crucial component of ensuring your master key security.

2. Master Keys Have Key Serialization

All keys in a restricted key control program carry a unique serial number, so you can always identify individual keys for your locking system. This includes the master keys. Each unique serial number can be used to track keys to their individual holders, as well as provide information about the key and the parts of your system that it can access. This information enables you to track your keys 24 hours a day, seven days a week with cloud-based key tracking software. The birth-to-death tracking provided by master key serialization helps to ensure that you always know exactly how many keys exist, who holds them, and what level of access each key provides.

3. Master Keys Work With User-Rekeyable Lock Technology

Master keys simplify your key control by allowing administrators to carry fewer keys while maintaining access to multiple doors. Rekeyable locks build upon that ease-of-use by allowing administrators to avoid calling a locksmith or removing the key core from locking hardware when a rekey is necessary. This benefit can make your key management easier and improve efficiency in your organization.

User-rekeyable key cores offer a number of security advantages for your business. When a security breach occurs, rekeyable locks allow you to immediately re-secure your facility at the level of the breach. For example, if a master key has been lost, rekeyable cores allow you to rekey locks at the master level only. After the rekey, replace master keys for key holders only. User level keys won’t be affected and thus won’t need to be replaced. This solution provides significant cost savings, as it ensures you only replace the parts of the system that have been compromised.

4. Master Keys Can Be Managed and Tracked Through Key Control Software

Key control software allows you to keep track of all keys issued for your system, including master keys. InstaKey’skey tracking softwareis a secure, cloud-based platform that provides 24/7 access to information about your security system. The software can be accessed throughSecurityRecords.comand allows you to track who has your keys and which locks each key is able to open. This information is updated in real time to give a comprehensive overview of your current security situation.

Being able to track keys through a single centralized platform is a major organizational component of effective key control. Understanding what is going on in your business is an essential part of any security strategy, so it’s important to be able to log onto a secure cloud platform and immediately get an overview of all keys and master keys. Without clear and accurate information, you're making security and loss prevention decisions in the dark.

Protecting Your Business With Master Keys

There are many situations in which having master keys in place can protect your business from disaster. For example, if you fire one of your employees, you can be absolutely sure they do not have any copies of the keys they were given and that your keyed security remains intact and unaffected so long as they return their key. Serialized master keys that are created on a restricted keyway mean that even if you fire a senior employee who held the master key for your security system, you can be sure that no copies of that key exist.

Master keys are also invaluable in an emergency or disaster. In this situation, it’s important to be able to respond quickly to critical concerns. Cloud-based tracking systems allow you to remotely find out who has access to various areas of your business premises. Which means you can come up with a strategy to keep your business safe even if you can't get to your facilities or need to act quickly in the event of a security breach.

Finally, key tracking is useful in cases of theft. In this situation, the documented record-keeping process provided by a well-tracked key control system can reduce investigation time and help to narrow down the list of suspects.

To learn more about master keys and how they can help improve your organization's keyed security, talk to one of our key experts. The security experts at InstaKey can help you decide which security system is right for your company, allowing you to keep your physical premises secure at all times. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with questions about master keys or any other aspect of physical security. To learn more about what key tracking and innovative key technology can do for your organization's loss prevention, keyed security, and more, check out our free ebook.