Bill's Mobile Lock: Locksmith Blog

Today's Rekeyable Locks: Pros and Cons

Let's say you have a rental property, and one of your tenants is moving out, and another moving in. Even if you've got the keys back from the first individual, you want to make sure that person can't use a copy of those keys to regain access. But you also don't want to go through the process of installing new locks every time this sort of situation pops up. The solution: Rekeyable locks from top-name manufacturers like Schlage and Kwikset.

These devices are specifically made to allow customers like you—that is, people who aren't pro locksmiths—to quickly and easily rekey the locks so they only work with new keys, without having to change the locks themselves. More importantly, they boast new mechanisms that are highly bump-resistant, protecting your property against a common technique used to break into homes, apartments and offices throughout the country.

Just remember: The security provided by these rekeyable locks is so impressive that if you have a lockout situation and have lost the master key/rekeying tool, the only way in is by drilling and replacing the lock—even locksmiths won't be able to pick it.

To find out if rekeyable locks are right for your needs, contact Mark at Bill's Mobile Lock today (734-421-1230) or visit online at www.billsmobilelock.net.

IC Lock Systems: Core Benefits

It used to be there was a big trade-off for those managing multiple points of entry to a secure location, whether it was a warehouse, a school building or even an apartment complex. A system that focused on key management provided great security, but it also brought a lot of hassle if you ever needed to install new locks. The alternative was to rely on locks that were easy to change out when necessary, but were likewise easier to defeat.

But interchangeable core (IC) locks, first developed during World War II, are now putting an end to that dilemma. Available from a number of prestigious manufacturers, IC locks offer excellent security features. However, if/when you need to change them, a professional locksmith, using specifically designed keys, can remove only the core of the lock and leave the rest of the hardware in place. That makes the process quicker, easier and less expensive.

To find out if IC locks are right for your needs, or for service on your existing IC locks, be sure to call the pros at Bill's Mobile Lock at (734) 421-1230 or visit us online at: www.billsmobilelock.net.

Key Management Tips From the Pros

If you're overseeing security in an environment that relies on keys—whether they're digital or physical—one thing you don't want to overlook is proper key management.

Experts agree that there are three "key" things to keep in mind here:

Key making—A well-managed key system requires tight control over who can make keys and how they are made.

Key taking—Security should be considered compromised any time a key gets taken out of the hands of its proper user, even before the system is actually breached. Proper key management means being able to verify the right people have the right keys on a regular basis.

Key breaking—In the first place, can you identify a breach in security? It can be tougher than you think, especially with digital keys that may leave no physical evidence of misuse. That's just part of a comprehensive key-management plan that must be in place to help deal with a potential break in the chain of security.

Here's one more tip: If people are depending on you for their security, you can depend on Bill's Mobile Lock for help. And this includes making sure you have the right hardware—or software—you need to make key management more manageable. Call us today at 734-421-1230 or visit us online at: www.billsmobilelock.net

Compx for Cabinets

Closets, cabinets and lockers in kitchens, learning environments and health-care facilities are just some of the more obvious places that can now benefit from wireless security technology by Compx. The company's new StealthLock is designed specifically as an affordable, effective solution to a meet a wide variety of needs.

The keyless, wireless system relies on a small keypad, a strike plate and Compx's unique Receiver Latch, which is mounted inside whatever you want to protect. This, and the hardware's compact size, allows you to benefit from proven security without having a big, ugly piece of equipment on the outside of a cabinet or locker.

Another important advantage of the Compx StealthLock: Three separate, easy-to-program operating modes. In self-lock mode, the Receiver Latch will automatically relock itself in 10 seconds, eliminating the potential for the door to be unintentionally left unlocked. In the passage/manual mode, the system remains unlocked until a specific "lock" command is used. Finally, in single-use mode, the StealthLock allows a user to set a one-time access code for when an item may need only temporary storage, e.g., for a locker in a public library.

The battery-operated StealthLock also features an alarm to remind users to change batteries when they're running low on power and a "breakaway-style" latch that can be forced open in emergencies without ruining either the lock or the container being secured.

For more information on this versatile security solution—or help with any of your business or residential security needs—call Bill's Mobile Lock at 734-421-1230 or visit:
www.billsmobilelock.net

Security for the Security Experts

It's kind of like being a doctor who still smokes cigarettes: There are locksmiths out there who know all about providing airtight security for their clients but don't always follow the same principles themselves. And by not doing so, these folks aren't only putting their own businesses at risk, they're also doing the same to important personal information from the very people they're paid to protect.

That's because in today's computer-oriented world, it can be easy to give into temptation and store customer data—from credit card numbers to key records—on electronic devices that are easy for the wrong people to access. That can leave your customers open to threats like identity theft, with you being held liable in some cases for the damages.

To minimize this risk, I recommend following a few simple guidelines. These include using an off-site third-party to manage your records, keeping detailed records of what files you have, properly deleting/disposing of outdated info you no longer need, implementing passwords for access to confidential information and regularly auditing your security measures to make sure they're still effective.

There's one more, too: Contact the experts at Bill's Mobile Lock for further information about security for the security professional by calling (734) 421-1230 or visiting www.billsmobilelock.net.

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