As your business grows, more and more people will eventually need access to your property. Now is the time to implement a good entry control system that can grow with your company and provide security at each step of the way.

A good security guard can help you keep your property safe, but they’ll be able to do their job more effectively if your business has great security practices controlling entry. How can you create a system that will grow with your business but not get in the way of your work? Here are a few steps to take as things change.

Use Restricted Keys

Starting with the first keys you make for any business property, you should be using key blanks that cannot be duplicated at will. Even a key marked Do Not Duplicate can still be copied by a disreputable person. The best solution for small businesses, even those with few keys, is to use restricted keys. These types of keys can only be made by approved locksmiths who contract with the manufacturer.

Create a Log

Once you begin to hand out more than a few keys, start a written log to track who has each key and what it can access. A key log should indicate the name of the receiver, the key number, the date it was handed out, and the date it was returned. This should include both keys given out permanently and those who are only intended for temporary use.

A key log should be kept by a designated employee and checked whenever any employees are terminated. It’s vital to ensure that employees who leave the company have returned their keys promptly. If they don’t, consider changing all the keys.

Upgrade to Codes

As your business grows, you may want to further control who has access by switching from traditional keys to a coded lock system. Even if used only on certain entries, key codes have several advantages over regular key locks.

What are these advantages? You can change codes as often as you want at much less cost than changing all the keys in your possession. You can also design codes that identify what persons are using the doors and have a log of what activity occurred. Codes can even increase efficiency because they never get left at home and make trouble for employees in a rush to get to work.

Implement a Master Key System

A master key system is a determination of which keys will open which doors and who has those keys. Unlike having individual keys for each door or a single key for all doors, it allows you to better control and grant appropriate access. You may want to give supervisors access to the doors and offices in their areas but not the main entrances. Management, on the other hand, can be granted a key that unlocks all the doors in the facility.

Change Locks Regularly

Finally, no matter what system you put into place, change the codes and locks regularly. Many businesses choose to rekey every two or three years as a matter of course, but you may want to do so more often.

Why? There are a number of events that could result in a breach of security. For example, you may need to change your locks if there are break-ins in the neighborhood, an attempted break-in at your property, a disgruntled employee, lost keys, or even domestic problems involving an employee.

Taking these security measures will protect your business from many threats, but there’s still no substitute for an experienced security guard. These professionals are trained to identify threats and de-escalate dangerous situations. Reach out to Trident Security to hire a guard and get more tips to protect your business.