Restricted Key Systems

A restricted key system is a controlled locking system designed to prevent unauthorised key duplication and give the system owner greater control over who can access their property.

Unlike a standard key that may be copied without the property owner's knowledge, additional restricted keys can only be supplied through the authorised process established for that particular key system.

Restricted systems can also be designed with different levels of access, allowing individual users to open only the doors they require while authorised master key holders can access multiple areas or locations.

Lockmart designs restricted key systems ranging from single-door applications through to complex commercial and multi-site systems.

Restricted keys are specifically designed to prevent unauthorised duplication.

Unlike a standard key, a restricted key cannot simply be taken to a normal key-cutting outlet and legitimately copied. Additional keys require approval from an authorised person registered against the key system and must be produced through an authorised provider for that particular restricted key profile.

For restricted key systems managed by Lockmart, key orders are checked against the system's registered authority before additional keys are produced.

This gives the system owner much greater control over how many keys exist and who is permitted to order them.

Additional restricted keys can only be ordered by people who have been given the appropriate authority for that particular key system.

When a restricted key system is established, authorised signatories or representatives are recorded as part of the system's key-control process. These may include a business owner, facilities manager, property manager or another nominated person.

If someone who is not authorised requests an additional key, Lockmart will not produce the key until the appropriate authorisation has been obtained.

Authorised persons can also be updated when staff or management responsibilities change.

No. Restricted keying and master keying describe two different things, although they are commonly used together.

A restricted key system controls who can obtain additional keys.

A master key system controls which doors each key can open.

For example, an employee may have a restricted key that only opens their store or department, while a manager has a master key that opens several areas and a senior manager has a key that operates every authorised door within the system.

Lockmart can combine restricted key control with a customised master key hierarchy to suit the way your organisation operates.

Yes. This is one of the major advantages of combining restricted keying with a properly designed master key system.

For example, a business could have:

• A master key that opens every authorised door
• Site managers with keys that open their entire location
• Department managers with access to selected areas
• Employees with access only to the doors required for their role
• Contractors or cleaners with access to specific areas

The system can be designed around your organisation rather than giving every person the same level of access.

Yes. Restricted and master key systems can be designed for organisations operating multiple buildings, stores or facilities.

For example, a national or multi-site business could give senior management a master key covering multiple locations while individual store managers and employees receive keys that only operate their nominated site or areas.

Lockmart can design and manage restricted key systems for multi-site organisations, including franchises, retail groups, schools, healthcare facilities, government organisations, commercial properties and facilities-management clients.

The system should be designed with future locations and expansion in mind from the beginning.

Yes. Lockmart can provide ongoing restricted key and key-control management for organisations operating across multiple locations, including sites outside the immediate Melbourne area.

A centralised system can help head office or facilities management maintain consistent control over authorised key ordering, key records and access hierarchies across multiple sites.

Depending on the organisation and chosen restricted key platform, Lockmart can assist with system design, ongoing key production, extensions, replacement cylinders and coordination of future requirements.

For larger multi-site organisations, Lockmart can design the system around both current locations and expected future expansion.

Often, yes.

Many existing commercial and residential locks can be converted to a compatible restricted key system by replacing or reconfiguring the cylinder rather than replacing the complete lock or door hardware.

Whether your existing hardware can be reused depends on the type, condition and brand of the locks as well as the restricted key platform being considered.

Lockmart can assess your existing locks and determine which hardware can be retained, which cylinders can be converted and whether any components should be replaced.

This can make upgrading to restricted key control significantly more cost-effective than replacing every lock.

A restricted key system prevents unauthorised duplication, but it cannot prevent someone who finds the original lost key from attempting to use it.

The appropriate response therefore depends on what the lost key was capable of opening.

A key that only operates one low-risk door may require a different response from a master key that provides access to an entire building or several sites.

Lockmart can identify which locks are affected by the lost key and recommend whether those cylinders should be rekeyed, changed or otherwise secured.

This is also why carefully designing access levels is important - employees should generally only receive access to the areas they genuinely require.

Yes. Key control and record keeping are important parts of a professionally managed restricted key system.

For systems managed by Lockmart, records can identify information such as the key or system reference, authorised key orders and when additional keys have been produced.

This provides much greater visibility than an unrestricted key system, where additional copies may be made without the property owner's knowledge.

For larger organisations, maintaining accurate key records can be particularly valuable when employees change roles, leave the organisation or when access requirements change.

Yes, provided the system has been designed with appropriate capacity for future expansion.

Additional locks, doors, departments, buildings or sites can often be incorporated into an existing restricted master key system without starting again.

This is particularly important for growing businesses, franchises, schools, healthcare facilities and organisations that may acquire additional locations.

Lockmart considers both current requirements and potential future expansion when designing a restricted key system so that the access hierarchy has room to grow.

They are not the same thing.

A “Do Not Copy” marking on an ordinary unrestricted key does not, by itself, create a controlled restricted key system.

A genuine restricted key system uses a controlled key profile and an authorised supply process. Access to the appropriate key blanks and duplication process is restricted, and additional keys require the authority established for that system.

If controlling unauthorised duplication is important to your business or property, a properly designed restricted key system provides considerably greater key control than simply marking an ordinary key “Do Not Copy”.

Restricted key systems provide significantly better key control because additional keys cannot be legitimately produced without the required authority.

The level of physical security against picking, drilling, manipulation and other forms of attack depends on the particular restricted key system and cylinder selected.

Some restricted systems are primarily designed to provide controlled duplication and master key capability, while higher-security systems incorporate additional physical security features.

Lockmart offers different levels of restricted key security and can recommend a system based on the property, security risk, access requirements and budget.

The cost of a restricted key system depends on the size and complexity of the system rather than there being one fixed price.

Factors include:

• Number of doors and cylinders
• Number of keys required
• Type of restricted key system
• Required security level
• Master key and access hierarchy
• Whether existing locks can be converted
• Number of buildings or locations
• Installation requirements
• Future expansion requirements

A small restricted key system may be relatively simple, while a large commercial or multi-site system may require a detailed keying schedule and several levels of access.

Lockmart can assess your requirements and provide a no-obligation recommendation and quotation.

A well-designed restricted key system can remain in service for many years, but the long-term protection and availability of a system depends on the particular restricted key technology being used.

Different systems use different forms of key-profile control, patents, design registrations and authorised distribution arrangements. These protections and product lifecycles vary between manufacturers.

For organisations planning a long-term or multi-site system, Lockmart considers not only today's security requirements but also future product availability, expansion capacity and the expected protection period of the chosen platform.

Yes. Many commercial facilities use restricted mechanical key systems and electronic access control together.

Electronic access control may be used on high-traffic doors, main entrances and areas where access needs to be changed frequently, while restricted mechanical keys may be used for storerooms, plant rooms, cabinets, service areas and other suitable doors.

Using both systems can provide organisations with a practical balance between electronic access management and secure mechanical key control.

Lockmart can assess the complete access requirements of a site and recommend where restricted keys, master keying or electronic access control are most appropriate.