From luggage and lockers to storage and cabinets, there are countless ways to keep your belongings safe. And, when it comes to improving these safety measures, locks tend to always be part of the solution. Locks provide an affordable and convenient way of keeping your valuable belongings protected from theft or damage.

If you’re wondering whether to opt for a combination lock or a key lock, here’s all the information you need to help make a decision.

What Are Combination Locks? 

Combination locks, as the name suggests, are locks that require a specific combination in order for you to gain access. There are multiple different types of combination locks available, however they all feature dials that open the lock itself. While they usually need a sequence of numbers, combination locks can consist of any sequence of symbols in order to open, and they work through a rotating dial. They work well for lockers as they deliver security.

How Do Combination Locks Work?

Each dial of the lock is linked to an internal locking mechanism inside (usually a pin). Once the dial has been turned to the correct number (or symbol), the locking mechanism disengages. Once every dial has been turned to the right position, the lock will then release and open. Though generally consisting of inscribed symbols, combination locks can also involve electronic mechanical keypads.

When Are Combination Locks Used?

A standard combination padlock is often popular for securing luggage, while digital combination locks are often used for the entrance of buildings and to keep rooms and offices private.

The more numbers needed to access the lock, the more secure it is – so remember to set a more intricate sequence in place when locking items of particularly high value. 

Advantages Of Combination Locks: 

• They’re simple to use – setting up your combination lock is super easy and can be done in a matter of minutes.
• They can’t be picked – no key means it’s impossible for thieves to attempt to pick the lock.
• They’re convenient – you don’t need to worry about keeping a key safe while travelling, so the locks are convenient as they’re all you need to bring with you. 
• They’re affordable – combination locks are inexpensive devices.
• There’s lots of choice – there’s a wide variety of combination locks available, so that you can pick the right one to suit your needs .

What Are Key Locks?

Key locks are the more traditional style of lock. Usually in the form of a cam lock, they require a key to be used in order for the lock to open.

Cam locks are composed of two parts – a cam and a barrel, with the barrel placed on the outside of the object being locked. The cam, consisting of a metal plate, is placed inside the object that is being locked and is attached to the end of the barrel. 

How Do Key Locks Work?

Once a key is inserted into the lock-face and is turned (90 or 180 degrees clockwise), the metal cam is rotated and securely fastens onto the inside of the object. Once the key is turned anti-clockwise, the cam will then unlatch itself so that it can be opened.

When Are Key Locks Used?

Key locks are popular for using on cabinets such as storage units, display cabinets and filing cabinets, as well as on lockers and desk drawers. For objects that need to be well protected yet easy to enter for those authorised to do so, key locks are the ideal device to use. 

Advantages Of Key Locks: 

• They come in multiple different styles – key locks are available in various sizes, shapes and materials to suit aesthetics .
• They’re super versatile – because they’re so reliable, key locks can be used to secure a number of different things.
• Simple to use – there’s no need to remember a sequence of numbers or symbols, all you need is a key.
• They’re weather resistant – because the technology of a key lock is concealed inside the lock itself, they remain undamaged in harsh weather conditions.
• They’re quick to open – so long as you have the key, key locks are easy to access.

Which Is More Secure - Combination Or Key Locks? 

When examining the advantages of both the key lock and the combination lock, it’s clear to see that both devices are reliable in securing your most prized possessions and valuables. With each lock having different benefits to suit different circumstances, it depends on what you need the lock for to determine which device will be the most suitable. For objects such as bags, suitcases and private rooms, combination locks are ideal in providing protection. 

The combination for a lock can also easily be given to all authorised members of staff in a workspace, enabling a number of people to be able to gain access to the lock, without having to cut and hand out multiple keys. However, for objects such as furniture cabinets and lockers, key locks would be the most beneficial in providing security for the possessions inside – the locks being simple to use, without a combination or sequence having to be remembered.

Improve your security systems today with help from our huge range of locks. From combination padlocks right through to cam locks, we have something suitable for every situation.

While we all take the necessary steps and precautions to ensure our homes are secure from break-ins, it can be easy to neglect the safety measures that are required to protect our places of work, too. Businesses and offices, in particular, are often the victims of burglaries due to the expensive technology and equipment stored within the workspace. 

Unfortunately, offices become even more of a vulnerable target for recurring break ins, leading to anxieties for not only the possessions kept inside but for your colleagues and customers as well. Here’s some of the ways you can secure your office after a break-in.

1. Keep Employees Updated 

The aftermath of a break-in is a tense and stressful time for all workers - it’s vital that your employees and colleagues are kept in the loop with regular updates regarding the incident. Many members of staff will feel nervous about working in an environment that has been entered by intruders, so it’s important to reassure these workers that there are plans and strategies in place to prevent future break-ins as much as possible.

Creating a safe working environment for your employees will not only help put their minds at rest but will also get your business back to functioning efficiently and professionally. For those employees particularly struggling to come to terms with what has happened, you may want to consider hiring a professional to meet with them, to discuss ways of coping and managing the stress. 

1. Change Or Rekey The Office Locks 

Research has revealed that over half of all break-ins occur through forced entry, whether it be through breaking the windows or the door. This is why it’s crucial to repair such damages as quickly as possible.

For break-ins that don’t appear to have taken place through forcible entry, intruders may have made their way into the office by somehow gaining access to a key, password or electronic fob to allow themselves into the building. Whether there are visible signs of a forced entry or not, it’s essential that all locks are either changed or re-keyed to avoid the intruder being able to access the building a second time. 

While changing master key systems will likely be first on your agenda, you may want to take this opportunity to update the combination locks within the office, too.

Don’t forget that the intruder may have tampered with or broken into filing cabinets and confidential records, so installing an office safe and office furniture locks will be vital in ensuring classified and valuable items are kept safe and secure in the future. There are various different benefits of both key locks and combination locks, so it's best to make use of both types in order to achieve maximum levels of security.

1. Examine Whether The Break-In Could Have Been Prevented

While there is nobody to blame for the break-in other than the intruder themself, examining whether or not the incident could have been prevented is a beneficial way of reducing the chances of it happening again.

Asking questions can all help to identify if anything went wrong internally:

• “Did any member of staff see anything suspicious when leaving the building?”
• “Were any unusual or new vehicles in the car park on the day of the break-in?”
• “Were any unauthorised people let into the building in the days leading up to the incident?”

Staff training or a change in security protocols are great ways of keeping staff diligent in terms of safety in the workplace, and these should be updated and improved on regularly in order to keep the procedures most effective and operational. 

1. Re-Evaluate Security Systems 

An important step in securing your office after a break-in is to re-evaluate the security systems that are already in place. Re-assessing factors such as the functionality of the office alarms, how well the security cameras cover the workspace and how up to date the security technology is can all help to avoid another break-in incident from occurring in the future. 

Remember to also assess whether or not any electrical breaches have been made with regards to data security – check if the intruder has been able to gain access to the office computers, phones or databases. If this has been the case, a professional may be required to either retrieve any stolen information, or to reset and secure the electronic devices to ensure they cannot be tampered with again.  It may be necessary for all employees to change and update their passwords to computers and business accounts, to ensure their information cannot easily be compromised in the future.

Office break-ins are undeniably a stressful experience, but with the above security measures in mind, you should have everything needed to prevent one from happening again.