Key Storage is a method of safely and securing your keys, thereby controlling them. All business will have keys. If you are a very small office or shop then you probably do need any type of key storage. But if you are have business with a lot of keys or if you have areas that need access control, then key storage should be very important. Contact “Mykey Locksmith” for more help

Key storage comes in many forms from being locked in a desk drawer to highly secure electronic key boxes. Not much needs to be said about the desk drawer method, there is very little control with this method. Probably the best method is an electronic key box. Here are some features depending on the manufacturer:

• Tracks who takes keys out of the box, what time they are removed and returned.
• Can be set so keys can only be taken out at certain times.
• Can be set so there is a level of control. For example John does not have access to all keys store in the box only the ones he is authorized to take.
• Boxes can be controlled, programmed, and downloaded remotely. They can also be placed on your company’s network.
• Entry into the box can be by secure keypad, secure lock or biometrics, such as finger prints or eye scans.
• For large installations multiple key boxes can be all connected together and communicate with each other.
• They can also be placed in remote locations and controlled by a central office.

Like everything in security you sometimes have to make tradeoffs depending what you are trying to protect and how much that is worth to you or your company.

A step down from the electronic key boxes are mechanical boxes. These would enable you to keep all of your keys locked up in one place. Access to the box would be by keypad or a lock. If it’s a lock I suggest a high security lock with patented keyways. The tradeoff here is access control. You won’t have the ability to track who entered the key box and how long they had a particular key. This is however, a better way to control keys then just throwing them into a desk drawer.

I have written key control articles in the past and I will again in the future. The reason is simple and yet the most overlooked aspect of lock security. “You must control your keys to control your security.”