New protections and funding are being implemented across New York in an effort to prosecute and penalize criminals assaulting retail workers while also giving small business owners a tax credit for improved security. Why? Anyone operating a business in the Long Island or NYC area knows theft and burglary go hand in hand with supply chain management or keeping up payroll.
The trick is knowing what type of security measures work well for your unique business. Do you install an entire access control security system requiring keypads or card key access? Or do you upgrade your traditional locks so bump keys and prybars cannot manipulate them?
As a leading team of lock, door, and security professionals, we at Lock City NYC want to help ensure you’re getting the best solution for managing a property, overseeing a retail space, or keeping your family business secure while you take a vacation upstate. Here is a quick guide for your decision-making.
Using Traditional Locks for Business Security
Traditional locks have a rich history as theft deterrents. Making your locks numerous and highly visible sends a clear sign to potential criminals you are serious about protecting what is yours. These traditional systems typically include a blend of deadbolts, mortise locks, and high-security mechanisms that require some form of physical key to gain access.
The beauty of traditional locks vs. smart locks around Great Neck or NYC Metro is that they are easier to implement. Traditional locks tend to cost less than key card access systems and don’t need a dedicated power source or network to work. With the right keys, your employees, team members, and tenants can quickly get where they need to go.
The downside to traditional locks is that you now have a ton of keys floating around that can fall into the wrong hands. You don’t really have any way to track who is coming and going without hiring someone to “work” the door. Not to mention, you’ll need to pay every time you have to make a duplicate (higher rekeying costs).
These reasons are why you tend to see traditional locks used in smaller offices or businesses with less foot traffic that don’t have a lot of startup capital.
Bringing in Key Card Access to Your Business
The more your business grows, the higher the security demands. Implementing key card access solutions scales easily with your growth, ensuring you have a trackable, secure way to keep your assets safe. These access control systems use a variety of credentials like swipe cards, proximity readers, keycodes, or even mobile device authentication (Bluetooth and RFID).
Key card system advantages ensure a strong security system. Unlike traditional locks with keys that can be copied, you get key cards or mobile authentication that can be deactivated remotely. All your egress/ingress becomes trackable, meaning you can see who is actually moving around your property and improve accountability.
Best of all, you can customize permissions based on tenants or user roles. There is no need to rekey or replace locks when onboarding someone new to the property. You set the permissions you need for each person coming in and out of your property.
You will pay a higher premium on access control systems upfront compared to traditional locks, but those expenses quickly balance well against lowering your risk of theft and operational downtime due to someone getting inside who isn’t supposed to be there. You’ll also have to ensure there is always some form of power running or network in place so you can access the system in an emergency like a power outage or nearby construction.
Key Card Access vs. Traditional Locks: Which is Best for Your Business?
Let’s get down to the brass tacks. Which of the two security systems is right for your business? Choosing between traditional locks vs. smart locks comes down to the number of people accessing your property and the type of work happening in the area.
Traditional locks are better designed for smaller-scale operations like:
- 1-5 tenant buildings
- Small businesses with only 1-3 entry points
- A smaller number of employees that lower the risk of lost keys
- Small businesses with little to no danger of theft due to a lack of assets or cash “on property”
However, if your business has a higher security risk and needs a flexible solution with active access tracking, you’re better off using key card access or a similar electronic system. These help properties like:
- Office buildings with multiple tenants or employees
- Retail businesses needing restricted access profiles for different employee categories
- Property management companies overseeing a range of units
- Medical, legal, or other privacy-oriented offices
- Warehouses and industrial facilities managing deliveries, restricted access, and high foot traffic
The reality is unless you’re running a mom-and-pop soda shop with no cash on hand and only a couple ways in and out, you should use access control security.
The best solution would be to blend the two. Have your traditional locks where only the owner or manager has keys and include a key card access system for employees, tenants, and guests. That’ll give you the best of both worlds and create redundancies, so you don’t have to worry about power outages or lost items.
There is a reason why so many businesses in Great Neck, Long Island, and the NYC Metro area go this route to deter potential crime or loss of crucial assets.
Why Work with Lock City NYC for Your Business Security?
At Lock City, we specialize in supporting local NYC and Long Island businesses with customized access control security solutions to ensure you have full accountability over your operations. Whether you require a key card access system or want a new deadbolt as part of traditional locks, we have the professional expertise, bespoke tools, and maintenance services to secure your property.
Our highly trained tech team stands by all our solutions. We understand what it takes to stay safe in the area and take the time to get to know your business and concerns. That is why we have such a long list of return and referral clients – because we care. From installation of access control systems to rekeying your older building locks, our team ensures your system operates when you need it most.
Give us a call today at (855) 295-4613, and let’s set up a time for a free consultation. As a locally owned and operated business, we will find a solution for your unique needs.
FAQs
Which is better smart lock or traditional lock?
It depends on your business needs. Traditional locks are lower cost and simple to understand, but keys can get lost or duplicated. Smart lock systems cost a little more upfront, but can be monitored remotely and use advanced electronic access controls like biometrics, keypads, and key cards.
What is the difference between a key fob and an access card?
A key card (sometimes called a key fob) is compact, programmable hardware that uses advanced encryption for opening doors or gates. An access card tends to use a magnetic stripe or proximity system similar to what you’d find in a modern hotel.
Why use an access control system instead of keys?
Keys can be lost or duplicated. When you have a full access control system, you can activate/deactivate cards or accounts remotely, ensuring you have more control over who is on your property at any given time.
