access control lock

Reviewing Access Control and Locksmith Services

Building security is important for businesses to protect their assets. Whether intellectual property, private customer’s information or just high price tag equipment, it’s important to keep doors locked and secured from thieves. Not just any lock will do either. In order to thwart theft and ensure unrestricted access doesn’t happen, using access control is necessary.

A locksmith can help on this front with setting up and maintaining the access control system. In this post, we’ll review the importance of this method of security and how it’s being used today.

How Access Control Works

There are a number of different options today when it comes to adding security layers to your business entry. Something as easy as a numerical pin pad or even a fingerprint reader can be used to grant access. Options vary depending on the type of business and what’s being protected.

With a PIN code or ID card access control, a user with the cards can enter by swiping the card or entering the correct pin and different codes can be set for various doors. This is a great option for small businesses or access to thing such as sports clubs, storage units for easy, secure access.

Advanced access control technologies have become more and more involved today and can even use personally identifying characteristics from a person’s self to grant access. Things such as the biometrics of their fingerprints, eye iris, and even voice could be used for these highly sophisticated systems.

Access Control Applications

Access control isn’t just an option to help prevent theft and unauthorized access, it’s also an important way to track employee movements throughout the day, monitor suspicious activities and even have a lockdown system in place should outside threats arise to protect your employees.

All American Locksmiths offers fast, high-quality service to businesses throughout the western, central, and coastal counties of Connecticut. Don’t wait any longer to secure your business. Let our licensed and experienced locksmiths help.

 

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car key fob lock

Lock Security: Should You Get a New Fob?

Keeping your car locked and safe from intruders seem like a pretty easy task nowadays. Just remember to push the lock button before exiting the vehicle or hit the alarm key fob as you walk away.

While this method won’t keep a criminal from smashing the window and trying to take the car, it’s certainly the first defense in keeping unauthorized people from entering your car.

Just as with residential locks on your front door and windows this closed access will deter theft and help you keep the peace of mind when you’re not present to monitor the premises.

The great thing about technology and advancements is that it’s now much easier to keep track of our cars location (GPS), keep it ready and comfortable when you get inside of it (remote start) and for some more futuristic types, even drive without us doing any of the work (self-driving cars).

Beware though. There are still risks even with these advancements that hackers are discovering and exploiting daily. One recent news report comments on the latest warning from a security expert and points to the hacking of key fobs where criminals are intercepting the signal given out by the fob when a user tries to lock the car with it from a distance. Once they gain the codes needed they can open and steal the car.

As a solution, some people are wrapping the fobs in tin foil to try and block the hackers from grabbing the code. This works only to a limited degree and this news has spurred discussions around the security of key fobs altogether since some manufacturers have reused codes. Instead of tinfoil, some consumers are heading to the dealers to get new fobs altogether.

Another option for keeping your car secure if you’re unsure who has a spare copy of the key would be to have the ignition rekeyed by a locksmith. With this process, you’ll end up with a new key that works to start the car and open the doors and that you know for sure only you have possession of.

Locksmiths are an important investment in your security and should be considered for all of your residential and commercial lock needs. All American Locksmiths is proud to serve customers in Connecticut and Westchester County, NY.

Having trouble with your locks? Contact us today!

door locks

Key Stuck in Door Lock? Here’s What to Do

You’ve likely located this post because you’re finding yourself in a dilemma. You put the key in your door after a long day of work as you’ve done for the last twenty years and then you hear the snap. The key has broken inside the lock before you had a chance to turn the knob and make your way over to the couch which you’d been dreaming about ever since your 3 p.m. coffee.

Maybe you turn the key and it just keeps turning, never unlocking the door or you wiggle and jiggle and the key is just stuck in the door. Whichever emergency you’re now faced with, you have options.

Here’s what to do when your key is broken or stuck in your door lock.

Check that the door handle isn’t loose or jammed.

Screws can loosen over time and cause your door handle to no longer sit properly against the door frame. When this happens it may cause the door to not properly close and the lock to fail. Sometimes the issue can also be internal. If your key continues to turn inside of the lock it could be parts inside that have worn or broken. Calling in a professional locksmith is the best way to resolve the issue as they will be able to repair, diagnose and safely get you back into your home.

You may need a new door lock tumbler.

Door lock tumblers are a critical internal function that makes locking and securing your property possible. When the internal pieces break or become worn they will no longer work as intended and will need to be replaced. This isn’t an easy DIY task either and should be done by a professional who understands the internals of locks and how parts should be installed. While working with the lock, they can also rekey, re-pin or replace lock tumblers to add more security to your locks.

Get the broken key out.

If you’re dealing with a key that has broken inside of the lock itself, you’ll need to first get that piece out before you can work on gaining access to your home. Not only will it need to be taken out, but you’ll also now need a new key made that you can use going forward. Avoid adding further damage to the door lock by trying to jam things into the hole in hopes of pulling out the broken piece.

In need of a locksmith? All American Locksmiths is available for prompt lockout services for customers in Connecticut and Westchester County. We offer everything from residential locksmith repair to cylinder rekeying, broken key extraction – and so much more.

Need help with your broken key or lockout situation? Request Service Now!