Master Key Systems Explained - How To Design Your Master Key System

Today marks 10 years from when we wrote an article about Master Key Systems and we revise that post today and include it here for your pleasure.....


We wrote (November 25, 2009):

As a blog author and locksmith, as a business owner and statistician, I keenly watch the results using Google Analytics, of the search terms people use while attempting to gather knowledge that may help them to be more aware when purchasing products or services.

I am noticing a significant number of searches recently about master keying although, it may be due to a cardinal lack of understanding about the principle.

It seems that many searches recently are from people who assume that all deadbolts are master keyed. This is simply not true. It is a fallacy.

A deadbolt, or any other lock for that matter, must be purposely master keyed.

There are no pre-fabricated master keys for residential or commercial deadbolt locks.

In bygone years, manufacturers of some bit-key type mortise deadlocks, did produce some of their ranges with a purposely designed flaw allowing for a "skeleton" key to operate. This skeleton key was often referred to as a Master Key.

There are some manufacturers of coin machine locks or cam locks, that routinely produce their locks to be master keyed. The primary benefit in using master keyed coin or cam locks is for commercial situations like an office complex that uses on-site maintenance to minimize the quantity of keys a janitor or other service person can be required to carry. (source...)

Many of the same things we wrote about 10 years ago are still true today.

We here at Master Key Systems America LLC/ St Louis Locksmiths are proud of our continuing longevity in the locksmith trade, currently just a tad over 35 years in the business.

We are lucky enough to have worked on 4 different continents and been exposed to many differing types and styles of key systems, that all have their benefits (and issues) for users in their respective regions.

We are one of the leading Bilock Extreme Security Dealers in the USA, having offered Bilock for the last 14 years, locally,

We have worked with the product regularly since 1983, when we first entered the trade. The product was first made available about 5 years prior.

We explain to customers when designing their master key systems, that our preferred method of creating their system requires establishing a list/spreadheet of doors in their property that they want to operate by key.

We usually survey the premise and will often mark all keyed doors with an individual number often on the hinge or inside of the door frame.

This enables each door to be recorded individually. We will often include details like, hinge location/size/make, door hardware (type of lock), color, kickplate (if required), strike plate type etc.

This allows us to immediately know what the original door products are, if ever asked in future. And allows us to know immediately which keys operate which doors.

On the spreadsheet, we will list each door and it's number across the top of the graph, separated into columns.

We will list the names/employee number of key holders in the left side column.

We will then check the name under the corresponding door each person requires to access.

This simple method allows us to accurately design each system and account for all users.

We prefer to offer all our master key systems using Bilock because it is a restricted keyway that is protected from unauthorized duplication. This means no one can get a key copy without the written permission of the designated authorized signatory. This prevents too may keys being out there and not accounted for. No one can get another key made without the owner/manager's knowledge and permission.

We color code all our Bilock keys for simpler identification. We also emboss the system number, key number and issue number on each key, that means each key is an original and NOT a duplicate.

The method of designing a master key system is important to control access to areas required and dramatically improves the security of a premise.

We still like to recommend mechanical access control key systems because they are virtually maintenance free, require no reliance on batteries or electricity, are significantly cheaper than electronic products and are specifically designed to last 25+ years.

Should you wish to know how master key systems can benefit you and your security, feel free to contact us or your local legitimate locksmith for more personal detail. 

Radio News Report On Bumping

National Public Radio recently aired this report about a sting operation that nabbed "Bump Key Bandits" in Texas.

This is further evidence of the vulnerabilities of almost all conventional lock and key systems currently used across America today.

Click on the picture to listen to the radio report.

Bilock, is the only pin tumbler product in America that is 100% fully guaranteed bump proof.

The design of the Bilock product is far advanced compared to other products and includes devices that deter effective lock pick devices

Locks210.com and our parent company, Master Key Systems America LLC offers Bilock as our signature product. When combined with the Bioaxxis BD1 fingerprint biometric deadbolt, you create the most formidable lock product available today.

If lock bumping doesnt or hasnt concerned you in the recent past, perhaps it is time to re-examine your priorities?

Many houses and residential condominium and apartment complexes use sophisticated master key systems to easily maintain smooth and efficient maintenance access to residential entries and public areas. With all the recent publicity surrounding lock bumping and the quantity of news stories across America about this issue and the issues relating to Scam and Phony locksmith companies, consumers need to be more diligent and proactive than ever before.

Lost Master Keys?

Have you ever lost or misplaced your master key? Have you ever had your keys stolen? It can be a rather unnerving experience and a costly one at that.

One of the benefits of using a Bilock key system, includes the ability to replace the master key, without affecting any other keys in your system.

Of course, all your locks will still need to be altered, to remove that key from the system, but a properly constructed Bilock system, enables a painless and cost effective solution, minimizing the effect on other key holders (not master-keys).

Combined with the bump proof and virtually pick proof properties, Bilock also offers keys that cannot be duplicated or modified.

$ for $ there are few key systems that offer equivalent value for money, aesthetic appearance and security.

Bilock Plug Update

Our signature product Bilock, are now producing stainless steel sidebars that increase the drill protection of all cylinders.

Not only is this product bump proof and virtually pick proof but it is also extremely drill resistant and thanks to the inclusion of stainless steel sidebars, more so.

The ability to master key these cylinders without using pin stacks greatly improves the security and pick resistance of any master keyed cylinder. All locksmiths will explain to consumers that general or mainstream branded pin tumbler cylinders, when master keyed, greatly reduces the security and increases the pickability of the cylinders.

Bilock continue to push the boundaries of modern mechanical key systems and are constantly looking for micro improvements that protect the marketplace.

It's Bump Proof - Really!

It’s Bump Proof – Really!

The media and general public are having a field day with the whole Bump Key issue.

If you haven’t done it yet, make an internet search on “bump key” and see what shows up.

There are claims of lock bumping by children as young as six and seven. Locks from the US and all over the world are vulnerable. I even saw a video that showed how to do it with

a banana. Yeah, the fruit. Likewise the lock industry itself has become bizarre in its

claims. It seems every lock from KW1 and up is Bump Proof. I get calls all the time from locksmiths who remain confused by all of the claims.

What locks are really bump proof?

Here’s what I tell them.... There are only three technologies that I know of that are

absolutely Bump Proof – electronic or pushbutton locks that don’t have mechanical override cylinders, locks that use rotating discs (like Abloy), and locks with programmable side bars (like BiLock). These locks will stand up to anyone trying to bump them regardless how much experience or knowledge the thief has. Every other lock technology can be bumped. Each Side Bar has six fingers. The Side Bar can retract when the pins align.

There are 13 different pins in the BiLock pin Kit Bump Proof Really!

The next question is usually “Well what about ____? They are rated high security and

have a side bar?”

Unfortunately the side bar is usually the same for all keys in a master system. Most times locksmiths use the same sidebar for all of their installations too.

So if you have any of the keys in a master system or if you read the dealer’s decal next to a door,

you pretty much have the side bar issue solved.

“But we have angle cuts.”

I ask them back how many keys in the system have the same angles. After that you’re left with pins that can be bumped. These locks may be bump resistant from six year olds and people

who use frozen bananas to open their doors. But there are professional thieves and

experienced locksmiths who know better. Does the person down the hall or next door have

the same style key as your customer?

Bumping a high security lock may be one of the easiest ways to get in.

“But what about modifying the existing cylinder?”

There are tricks that can be played in some cylinders by adding ball bearings, different tension springs, special pins etc to add bump resistance. Unless your time is free, you are probably better off selling a production solution. Some manufacturers may soon add special pins to their locks to improve protection. In some cases it may make the lock more bump resistant, but probably not Bump Proof.

Today, most of the locks installed in America are not Bump Proof. That includes

everything from government housing to single family homes. How many government and

commercial buildings still only have a six or seven pin cylinder as their lock system? The

bump key issue is a locksmith’s opportunity to survey the facility and recommend a

package of solutions. However, if they demand Bump Proof you should sell them a high

security lock based upon a technology like electronics, Abloy or Bilock.

(source...)

Credit Cards Used To Duplicate Keys

We first posted this article in September 2008, but have received many inquiries about our fabulous Bilock Extreme Security product that virtually eliminates this threat. Bilock  keys are unable to be copied surreptitiously in a similar fashion, due to the product using two blades with different key cuts on each blade. Combined with the patented Bilock interactive element, both in the key and the cylinder, security of both the key and lock are protected in an unequalled manner.

LAS VEGAS -- Life takes Visa, says the credit card company's catchy and ubiquitous TV ads.

And now, according to a group of security researchers speaking at the DefCon hacker conference in Las Vegas, Medeco high-security locks take Visa, too. As well as MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.

To be more precise, the researchers say that plastic used in all of these credit cards can be easily fashioned into simulated keys that open three kinds of M3 high-security locks made by the Virginia-based Medeco Security Locks company -- locks that are used to secure sensitive facilities in places such as the White House, the Pentagon, embassies and other buildings.

"Virtually all conventional pin-tumbler locks are vulnerable to this method of attack, and frankly nobody has really considered it or looked at it before," says Marc Weber Tobias, one of the researchers.

Mul-T-Lock Easily Bypassed And Bumped Open

A few years ago I had shown this video here on this site to make people aware of potential vulnerabilities in the product. It should be noted that this is clearly in a carefully set up workshop but the technique is correct and identifies that the product has vulnerabilities that are alarming.

Mul-T-Lock have since come out with newer updated versions that include interactive elements (like Bilock) and they are priced at the higher end of the marketing landscape. Mul-t-lock, like Medeco are both owned by Assa-Abloy and neither are bump or pick proof. Schlage Primus and Schlage Everest are products owned by Ingersoll Rand and are neither bump proof nor pick resistant compared to the more competitively priced Bilock product. Bilock is the first 100% Guaranteed Bump Proof and Virtually Pick Proof pin tumbler product available.

Latest Bumping Video from Master.

Bilock is the only fully 100% guaranteed bump proof pin tumbler lock cylinder available. Bilock has been available since 1980's with technology that is many years ahead of others.

Locks210.com is a proud Bilock Extreme Security exclusive dealer.

Bump Keys In The News

National Public Radio aired this report about a sting operation that nabbed "Bump Key Bandits" in Texas, late last year.

This is further evidence of the vulnerabilities of almost all conventional lock and key systems currently used across America today.

Click on the picture to listen to the radio report.

Bilock, is the only pin tumbler product in America that is 100% fully guaranteed bump proof.

The design of the Bilock product is far advanced compared to other products and includes devices that deter effective lock pick devices

Locks210.com and our parent company, Master Key Systems America LLC offers Bilock as our signature product. When combined with the Bioaxxis BD1 fingerprint biometric deadbolt, you create the most formidable lock product available today.

If lock bumping doesnt or hasnt concerned you in the recent past, perhaps it is time to re-examine your priorities?

Many houses and residential condominium and apartment complexes use sophisticated master key systems to easily maintain smooth and efficient maintenance access to residential entries and public areas. With all the recent publicity surrounding lock bumping and the quantity of news stories across America about this issue and the issues relating to Scam and Phony locksmith companies, consumers need to be more diligent and proactive than ever before.

It is staggering the quantity of people I meet who know about lock bumping. If as many people know about it, you can be assured that many people are doing it.

How would you know? There is no evidence of forced entry.

Bilock Deadbolt - SALE! SALE! SALE!

Thanks for your patience.

We are pleased to announce our September Special.

Bilock 4301QC-US3 deadbolts on sale $85.00 each

Polished Brass Finish only with 2 keys, while stocks last.

All Bilock products are restricted access. You will be required to provide a specimen signature prior to goods despatched. This is to enable future key requests.

Add To Cart

Bilock - 35% Discount July 2009

In celebration of July 4, USA Independence Day, we proudly offer all Bilock product ordered between July 1st, 2009 & July 31st, 2009 at 35% off the manufacturers suggested retail price.

Conditions.

1. All product must be ordered and paid for during the month of July.
2. All Bilock systems are protected by a registered signature and require specimen signatures prior to goods despatched.
3. 2 keys will be included in the first lock (for keyed alike/master keyed orders) at no charge. Extra keys will be supplied at $9.00 each (initial supply only)
4. Shipping & Handling charges are separate and additional.
5. Taxes charged (Missouri Residents Only)
6. All orders are subject to availability.
7. Email orders preferred.
8. All product is warrantied as per manufacturer specifications.

This SPECIAL is for the month of July 2009 only, in celebration of USA Independence Day.

Happy July 4TH

Videx Cyberlock - ( Bumped ) Vulnerable

The Cyberlock by Videx, has long been touted as bump proof and pick proof, but as the above video displays, a determined enthusiast has shown a vulnerability that cannot be ignored.

Admittedly, he uses an especially modified magnet that fits the keyway profile of the particular cylinder, but it shows a determined person can bypass the cylinder (quite easily).

It should be stressed that this is a carefully staged demonstration, but it certainly shows a vulnerability previously unknown.

Electronic systems are still in their infancy and the Cyberlock by Videx is an excellent modern access control system that is considered ahead of it's time.

But it does stress the importance of secure mechanical systems like our signature product Bilock, that enables totally secure bump proof and virtually pick proof, mechanical key operating systems, offering TOTAL key control and color coded, easy to secure and identify lock and key systems, at significantly more competitive costs.

Arguably, consumers are requesting better security options that are economical, easy to use, efficient, fault free and long lasting.

Bilock has proven itself in many and varied applications around the world, repeatedly as an affordable alternative to securing your property cost effectively.

With the significantly reduced cost for top of the line security protection, you are better served in all respects by Bilock Extreme Security products.

Chubb M3 (Medeco) Lock Bumped open

This example is from over 1 year ago online by a professional locksmith in the United Kingdom.

Chubb have an overseas license to the Medeco M3 lock system and market it complete with the Chubb name embossed on the product.

Medeco technology is requested by many US companies attempting to maintain some uniformity across their properties, however as this video plainly shows, the Medeco product is NOT BUMP PROOF.

I must repeat that the original and first bump proof pin tumbler lock cylinder product on the market is the Bilock Extreme Security mechanism. With Bilock, you can guarantee that duplicate keys cannot be produced and that bump keys WILL NOT WORK. Bilock locks were first manufactured in Australia in the early 1970's. The product is found in 132 countries around the world and is favored by casinos, banks and government institutions to protect property.

Bilock Cam Locks

Bilock manufactures a range of cam locks tailored to work together with their keying systems, to enable the security and convenience conscious to maintain one uniform keying system across their entire range of products. These pictures show some of the Bilock range of cam locks and their measurements.







Locks210.com can tailor professionally designed and manufactured keying systems including these cam locks in your system, maximising convenience and accessibility.




With the power of Promaster Keymanager and the Promaster 5 master keying software, Locks210.com now offers our clients to easily manage, locate and order their keys.

Bilock Deadbolts - Sale Ends

Announcement

Our September sale on Brass Bilock single cylinder deadbolts, ends today.

We managed to sell virtually all our inventory of the Bilock single cylinder deadbolts in brass, thanks to the many discerning bargain hunting shoppers.

We anticipate a new special in coming months. Stay Tuned.

Bilock Deadbolt And Strikemaster II Prevent Break In Attempt

Even us locksmiths are sometimes preyed upon by nefarious people.

I arrived home just now, from running a service call, to find this picture of my lockbox smashed open.

Luckily there was no key inside.

I also saw a boot mark on the door, where they might have attempted to kick-in the door. About 3 years ago, I installed one of my Strikemaster II door frame protectors to this door frame and apparently it has performed it's task perfectly.

The Bilock deadbolt prevented picking or bumping and the Strikemaster II prevented the frame from being destroyed.

No losses occurred except for the one elcheapo lockbox.


So.....this is one of the reasons we continue to sing the virtues of the products we sell and recommend.
We choose to practise what we preach. If it's good enough for our select customers, it is also good enough for us too.

We have been designing, constructing and installing Bilock products for over 25 years and across 4  continents. It is one of the best products aimed at maximizing your security, while minimizing potential threats from picking, bumping or even unauthorized key duplication.

We became a distributor for the fabulous Strikemaster II Pro, about 5 years ago and have installed a great number, usually to customers who have already suffered a door frame failure resulting from their door being kicked in. The Strikemaster II Pro is one of the best methods for repairing a failed door frame, without the need to replace your entire door and frame. (Average cost in the greater St Louis region to replace a standard entrance door and frame is about ~$1200.00 - ~$1500.00)

I must say, I am very pleased that these products have lived up to their hype.

Our Signature Product

Locks210.com is pleased to introduce our signature product.
The Australian designed Bilock Extreme Security locking system.
Now manufactured under license in the United States, this competitively priced product CANNOT be picked or bumped.
The unique key design is available in your choice of almost 9000 colour combinations.
The key system can be used in almost all existing lock hardware products in the market.

New Generation BiLock offers the security concious an innovative new look, twin bladed key which operates a 12-pin program of tumbler pins, six on either side. These pins, in turn, activate two side-bars to provide the end user with up to 16.7 million possible lock combinations. In addition to a space age moving element within the key an extraordinarily shaped, horizontally postitioned security rod has been built into the cylinder core to activate the 13th locking dimension. Without the moving element, this 13th dimension cannot be activated, this adds yet another feature to BiLock's already exceptional level of security.

Bilock Slam Cam

Bilock produce one of the industry's most innovative locking systems.

Particularly the Bilock Slam Cam lock is the only deadlatching cam lock available today in a removable core style.

This unique lock can secure drawers and swing door cabinets easily and inexpensively.

The added benefit of being able to include the locks in a master key system to reduce the number of keys you require at the office or showroom, is another excellent advantage.

Locks210.com can supply and install these locks keyed to your personal requirements and you can rest assured that keys can only be reproduced upon presentation of a correctly authorised letter, thereby preventing unauthorised access to your valuables.

Schlage Primus and Similar High Security Key Profiles Beaten By 3D Printing

Schlage, one of this countries most well known hardware and lock manufacturers and creator of the High Security Primus key systems must be reeling from news released yesterday that a team of MIT researchers have written a simple program to decipher a Primus (and similar types) key from a photograph and send the information to a 3D printer to enable duplication of these once-thought of restricted key systems. (see the source below)

The Schlage Primus key system, once thought by locksmiths across the country to be non-duplicatable, and also identified a couple of years ago as NOT Bump Resistant, faces one of the biggest threats to it's platform with the public release of this breaking news story.

In many states across the country, Schlage convinced locksmith companies to take on their own outright keyways and dealer codes, to corner their own market preventing duplication of keys by hardware stores, cookie key cutters, shoe repairers and gas stations. Little did we know that Schlage were simply sharing key profiles across state, sometimes county lines and in some cicumstances sharing side pin codes (dealer codes) across state lines. The whole agreement appeared very shady, indeed.

3D printing technology has grown from it's infancy and is now being seen and used by small to medium sized manufacturing businesses.

UPS are rolling out a trial 3D printer in some stores in San Diego, hoping to cash in on the opportunity for customers to 3D print a sample or spare part of their choice.

With access to many print stores across the country, the potential loss to current Schlage Primus dealers could be huge. It means that virtually any Primus key holder could get a copy made for less than $5 at their local print store. Dont think for a minute, that the large players in stationery and printing like Staples, Office Depot and the like, with super large budgets wont get in on the action of on demand 3D printing. Hardware big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot will jump in too and offer 3D printing in their one-stop franchises.

Other brands that use a similar system to Primus, include Medeco, Scorpion, Twin and some other brands.

This realization that your key system is not actually secure as you expected will mean that you will need to find systems that do as intended. Our Bilock Extreme Security Key Systems are carefully designed to prevent unauthorised duplication and with the introduction of the 13th element, a trigger mechanism that is interactive, 3D printing of a useable key is just not possible (at this time).

Bilock is well known worldwide for being a premium quality high-security restricted key system that outperforms virtually all other systems. It's unique keyway and pinning system, combined with state of the art side-bar technology and interchangeable core functionality and color coded key heads, makes it a formidable partner in the security of your home and business.

We are the largest provider of Bilock Systems in the Mid-West, using state of the art master key software to create, design and build our own systems. We have nearly 25 years international experience in the product line and have installed many of the most complex systems to universities, hospitals, private schools, casino's and hotels across the world.

(source...)

Master Key Matrix Plan

Designing master key systems is an art that the locksmith trade perfected over a hundred years ago. In fact many modern encryption methods, generally use the basis of understanding in master key system design to guide developers in their encryption designs.

Pictured here, is a small keying matrix from one of the master key systems I recently designed, manufactured, built and installed for a client.

Across the top, in numerical descending order is the list of doors.

The vertical column displays each key in the system. The "X" marks the corresponding doors that each key operates.

Designing master key systems is not a difficult task, if the manager making the request provides the locksmith with a correct keying matrix.

The key column displays the key number, but I often ask the client to simply write down all employees names and then mark the doors they need access to. I then proceed to create a system that enables an individual key for each employee. If that person were to no longer be employed and they did not return their key, the manager could remove that name from the system without requiring to replace all the other employees keys. This cost saving is huge, because new keys do not to be issued, just the one key that is lost.

When requiring to add additional people to the system a new key can be added easily without affecting other users.

Essentially, I try to ask clients to graphically indicate who needs to open which door. I am not interested in the time of entry, the ability to draw data from entering or time-clock operations, the extra benefits that an electronic, key-less access control system offers.

I was chatting with a leading security industry consultant a few days back and he mentioned that any security system requires the mechanical back up to support the electronic or wireless access control systems, out there.

"People require efficient maintenance free mechanical access to entry's, in case of an emergency. All commercial and residential properties need to be aware that while electronic security products are everywhere, they are prone to faults due to power or lack thereof."

A mechanical system is often easier to control and less expensive. Maintenance is significantly easier and often the costs associated with maintenance, less.

Master keying can be done in many brands currently on the market. However, products like Kwikset Smartkey or Schlage Securekey cannot be master keyed.

Our Bilock extreme security systems are the perfect product to provide up to 16 million keys. That enables each member of your organization, secured access as you see fit for each person. If they leave, it is only one key that needs to be removed - theirs. An individual key and a swipe card that you wear on your work clothes now are identical. Swipe cards are relatively easy to duplicate, Bilock keys are not.

When you want the best, to secure your property, with the most convenient access and control. Bilock is one of the better choices.

(Coming soon Galaxy)