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Losing a master key can mean more than a loss of convenience to a business. A master key provides access to multiple offices, storage areas, entrances, or restricted spaces, so you must take access and security into account. The proper response can help you regain control without having to unreasonably replace every lock on your property.
How Should You Assess the Situation Before Taking Action?
The first thing to do is establish exactly what has been lost and whether the key could be used to access any other area of the establishment. If the master key was attached to identifying information pertaining to your business, consider it a potential security loss and not just a lost key. Contact anyone who may have handled the key recently.
If it’s plausible the key was left on the property, first search common areas and access points. If the key was lost off-property or you are unable to account for where it went, it’s usually best to act quickly. The end goal isn’t just to gain back access. It’s to prevent an unknown person from using a stolen key to enter areas they shouldn’t have access to.
Should You Rekey the Affected Locks?
When your master key is lost permanently, rekeying locks after losing the master key will be valuable. The process of rekeying a lock changes the internal layout of a lock to make a particular key useless, and the hardware can be left in place.
A qualified commercial locksmith will examine your locking system and let you know what locks need to be rekeyed and what locks can remain unchanged. Depending upon the design of your master key system, you may not need to replace all of the locks on the property. This may be especially valuable for commercial customers who wish to keep their hardware but don’t want their unnecessary keys giving someone access to certain areas.
Why Should You Review Your Master Key System?
Losing a master key is a great time to evaluate your employees’ keys and access control. Ask who has master key access now, whether any former employees maintain a key, or if certain areas could benefit from more limited access.
A locksmith can assess a larger business’s existing master key hierarchy. Access Key & Security provides commercial locksmith services, including master keying management, rekeying services, lock repair, and access control solutions throughout the San Antonio area. You may even consider that electronic access control, keypad access, or other restricted entry systems work better for specific positions where a physical keymaster poses an unnecessary security risk.
When Do You Need Emergency Locksmith Help?
The lost key may sometimes be found when your property must be urgently entered, or there may be concerns that someone else has the key. In these cases, it might not make sense to wait until after hours to access the property or resolve security matters. Professional Emergency Locksmith San Antonio services can help with emergency lockouts, lost-key scenarios, rekeying scenarios, broken locks, and other unforeseen security matters.
Access Key & Security states that its emergency locksmiths are available 24 hours a day and perform lost-key rekeying and emergency lockout services. A professional assessment can be helpful in determining whether rekeying, repairing or replacing, or upgrading your locks is the best option rather than rushing into a solution.
How Can You Prevent Future Master Key Problems?
Once you have solved the immediate problem, put in place a basic key-control scheme. Keep a record of who gets the master keys, have keys returned when employees depart, and do not put identifying information on keys that could identify the property.
If you have many employees or many locations, you could evaluate whether an access-control solution would reduce your dependency on physical master keys. Periodic security reviews can also help you spot old locks or permissions that should be removed. The most critical point, though, is that you should not assume that finding a replacement master key has resolved your problem. If the first key is still missing, damage could still be possible.
How Do You Get Professional Help With a Lost Business Master Key?
While a lost master key might seem to indicate a need to replace all of the locks, a skilled locksmith can assess your property, identify the entrance areas that have been affected, and suggest an appropriate solution to meet your security requirements.
Need emergency locksmith services in San Antonio for a lost master key, lockout, rekeying, or other emergency business security problem?
For fast, professional assistance, call (210) 829-5397