High security locks
High Security Locks
High security locks are locks that provide increased resistance to compromise. While many vendors market their locks as high security, only those that are given an approriate security rating (or have withstood a long period of analysis by manufacturers, locksmiths, security researchers, and locksport enthusiasts) are considered high security. Most high security locks use certain designs or characteristics that improve their ability to resist manipulation and forced entry for a given amount of time.
The main goal of all high security locks is not to be undefeatable, but instead to make defeat too expensive or time consuming to be feasible.
High Security Characteristics
Most high-security locks have many of the following included in their design to increase security. Many of these characterstics are pre-requisites for various security ratings.
- Restrictive Keyways
- The use of complex and paracentric keyways frustrate attacks by manipulation by making it harder to insert and manuever tools within the lock.
- Key Control
- The ability to control the creation, distribution, and cutting of keys for a given lock can greatly increase the security of the keying system for a given lock. Most high security locks have key bows and warding patterns that are patent protected to prevent unauthorized manufacturing. Keys to high security locks also generally require a security card be presented for a locksmith to duplicate keys. Many also require a specialized key cutting machine.
- Key Differs
- High security locks traditionally offer a very high number of real and theoretical key differs to prevent cross keying and allow for complex master keying configurations.
- Manipulation Resistance
- Almost all high-security locks have components designed to resist manipulation from lockpicking and decoding attacks. Security pins are the most popular example of anti-manipulation components in pin-tumbler locks. Some locks also have components designed to resist impressioning and key bumping.
- Destructive/Forced Entry Resistance
- All high-security locks use strong materials and designs that make them resistant to destructive entry techniques. Steel rods, ball bearings, and hardened materials are common.
- High Manufacturing Tolerances
- Increased concern over the tolerance of components to provide a manipulation-resistant and functional lock accompanies most high-security locks. Increased tolerances also help to increase the number of available component sizes or depths and promote longevity of the lock.
High security lock listing
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This listing is subjective and is based on the experience and expertise of Lockwiki editors. "High security" locks are evaluated based on their ability to provide the characteristics listed above, any applicable security ratings, and the general consensus of the locksport community. In general, the locksport community is much more critical of security than any rating and standard organizations. |
See also
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