3 Steps to Design a Convenient and Cost-Effective Security System

If your building is like most, you have some spaces that require higher security measures and others that simply do not. What if you could identify one system capable of delivering two levels of security – all designed under one master key system?

Here are three steps to design a flexible security system that is both cost-effective for building managers and convenient for occupants.

1. Be sure to select a patented key system.

The first step in protecting your keying system is to select a patented key system. Simply stamping “Do Not Duplicate” on keys is not an effective deterrent. With a utility patent in place, a key control agreement is issued by the key manufacturer and signed by the locksmith and the end user. Only this particular locksmith is authorized to duplicate keys; it is illegal for another party to produce a key that will work in the patented lock. This agreement protects all parties involved and enables legal recourse if the agreement is violated.

2. Protect your most critical spaces with a high-security locking system.

For mission-critical spaces, the M4 High-Security key system provides the greatest degree of protection against forced entry and physical attack. It is ideal for exterior doors, as well as spaces that house mission-critical equipment and documents, such as computer server rooms and human resource spaces.

M4 High-Security cylinders are UL 437 listed and ANSI/BHMA A156.30 and A156.5 certified for quality and performance, with solid brass machined construction and strategically placed hardened-steel inserts to thwart drilling attacks.

Additionally, a patent-pending design incorporates a movable element that moves back and forth inside the key blade. The movable element, along with side cuts, activate the patented side pins inside the lock, making lock picking virtually impossible.

The patent-pending key design also protects against the ever-increasing threat of 3D-printed keys.

M4 cylinders have been proven to exceed ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 cycle requirements by hundreds of thousands of cycles.

3. Safeguard common spaces with patented BiLevel cylinders.

Most often, common areas such as restrooms and supply closets don’t require high security.

M4 BiLevel cylinders still provide patented key control to protect against unauthorized key duplication, but eliminate the additional costs incurred by addressing UL 437 standards.

And, because Medeco’s M4 High Security and BiLevel key systems are compatible, users enjoy the convenience of carrying only one key to operate both models of locks.

Ensure the locking system will grow with your organization.

The standard master key system is designed with only five pins that allow just a few thousand possibilities of keying combinations. The M4/M4 BiLevel key system incorporate additional pins and other mechanisms in the cylinder that facilitate thousands of key combinations. This enables the key system to include change keys, master keys, grand master keys, great grand master keys – and any additional customized keying scenarios – so it can grow along with your organization.

For this reason, M4 is the ideal way to simplify master key design for all new construction and retrofit projects.

Retrofitting is effortless.

Consider a new building project with hundreds of door openings. Often, building or project managers will choose to install a standard security system only to find that, later, the occupant requires a high-security key locking system. Is it then necessary to change out all of the existing door hardware to accommodate the new system? The answer is a resounding no. M4 High Security and M4 BiLevel cylinders easily retrofit with existing door hardware.

Rest assured that members of our Professional Services team are always on hand to assess your building’s unique requirements and to help you choose the best solutions to fulfill your facility’s safety and security strategy. Contact us today.