The humble lock cylinder is the core of your access control, determining who can enter your facilities and when. Although this pivotal player is often overlooked, understanding the different types of lock cylinders is crucial for safeguarding your assets, data, and personnel.
What is a Lock Cylinder?
A lock cylinder is a mechanism that engages or disengages a lock when a key is inserted. If the correct key is inserted, the lock core’s pins align with the pin grooves. This alignment allows for the lock cylinder center body to rotate, disengaging the lock. If an incorrect key is inserted, these lock pins do not become aligned; therefore, the center body cannot rotate, and the lock remains engaged.
Although the functionality of a lock cylinder seems fairly cut and dry, they are not all created equal. Lock cylinders can vary in design, security features, and suitability for different applications.
Which Type of Lock Cylinders Do You Need?
Before you dive head-first into restructuring your security components, it’s important to understand which lock cylinder is best for your business security needs, as well as your budget.
Conventional Cylinders in Commercial Settings
Although they are often associated with residential use, conventional cylinders also find applications in certain commercial settings. These standard pin tumbler cylinders are cost-effective and reliable for basic access control. However, for organizations with higher security requirements, more robust solutions will be necessary.
Boost Security for High-Traffic Areas with Mortise Cylinders
Mortise cylinders are a common choice for businesses, particularly in high-traffic areas or where durability is essential. They are installed within a pocket cut into the door, providing a strong and secure locking mechanism, making them ideal for retail, convenience, and grocery stores.
Rim Cylinders Offer Versatility for Diverse Applications
Rim cylinders offer versatility and are often paired with other locking mechanisms, such as panic devices, for emergency exits. Their surface-mounted design makes them suitable for an array of door types, including those where a mortise lock isn't feasible. This adaptability is beneficial for businesses with diverse facility layouts.
High-Security Cylinders for Critical Infrastructure
For industries handling sensitive information or valuable assets, high-security cylinders are essential. These cylinders incorporate advanced features, such as hardened steel components, anti-pick pins, and key control systems. They are designed to resist tampering and unauthorized entry, providing a higher level of protection for government buildings, educational institutions, and medical facilities.
Additional Considerations
Beyond identifying which lock cylinder best suits your business needs, you also must consider maintenance requirements, including routine inspections, servicing, and repairs. Proactive lock maintenance will extend the life of commercial locks, reduce the cost of complete replacement, and keep your access control mechanisms functioning at peak performance.
In addition to maintenance, it’s important to evaluate the long-term viability. With many locks, if something happens and the locks need to be changed, that will require an entire replacement. This can be costly, which is why many business owners opt for interchangeable key-core systems. Not only does it cut the cost of complete lock replacement, but offers an efficient and seamless approach to key management and business security.
How InstaKey’s Rekeyable Cylinders Reduce Cost and Boost Security
InstaKey offers rekeyable cylinders for a multitude of locking mechanisms, including small format interchangeable cores (SFIC), large format removable cores, and conventional lock hardware such as leversets, knobsets, gate switch adapters, padlocks, key cabinets, and key sequence boxes – just to name a few. In addition to SFIC mechanisms, rekeyable options are available for conventional, mortise, rim, and high-security cylinders.
With 30+ years of collective experience, we offer customizable key control systems that adapt to the evolving needs of various businesses. Our comprehensive software empowers you to proactively manage your key tracking, effectively eliminating pain points while optimizing efficiency. Let's talk about our solutions that enhance security, simplify compliance, and reduce operational expenses. We deliver a scalable and effective key control solution for any organization.
