How Master Key Systems Work: Everything You Need to Know

A Master key plan is a system where keys can open many pre-defined doors.

This system is convenient and can save lives during an emergency because it provides quick access to all rooms within your house or business premises.

Your caretaker, head of security, or manager has access to the Master Key.

These keys can open locks, doors, or cabinets as long as the cylinder is of the same model.

The master has no unique key except for the locks.

Master-keyed locks have two configured systems – a change key, one for each lock, and a master key that can operate all sets of locks.

A master key system has a sizeable key control.

The master key system can save you money if you own a large company.

However, the risk of rekeying the facility is high if the master key is lost or stolen.

Then again, by maximizing your security system, you will keep your employees, facility, and products secure.

Keys in a Master System

The most significant benefit of master systems is access control to locks with just one key.

Its flexibility allows you to add facilities using the system.

It only needs a simple rekey.

You only have to rekey the entire facility or store if the master key is stolen or lost.

For instance, if an employee loses his key, you only need to rekey the area for this sub-master level.

The supervisor or manager’s key still works.

Note that master key systems are not more expensive than a standard system.

Some companies charge a setup fee, but the following setup keys and cores are the same.

Master Key

A master key opens various locks within a master key system.

For example, a facility may have a master key to open all the doors.

A single key can open each door, but the door key of a particular door can also open a closet within that door.

Therefore, a single key can open several if they have the same cylinder through explanation.

The top-level key, also known as The Grand Master, can open all doors in a security system.

The first level or Change Key usually opens only one door.

A Master Key System opens all the locks with individual keys.

The holder of individual keys can open the locks they have the authority to access, while the master key holder can open all the locks.

The Master Key is also the General Master Key or GHS key.

The GHS key assumes the highest position in the locking system and locks every cylinder.

Change Key

A Change Key can unlock a particular lock or locks within a master key system.

We also call this the Tenant Key.

So, someone who carries a change key can unlock a specific lock without having access to all the locks in the area.

Some people don’t have full access to the keys.

A change key also works for more than a single lock in the master key system.

A professional locksmith who specializes in master-key systems can help determine whether your current key is a change key or a master key.

Other locksmiths may dismiss these concerns before our rekey request.

This concern can sometimes cause security issues that diminish the security level of the master key system.

Grand Master Key

A Grand Master Key (GMK) is the next tier down the master-level access.

The system is extensive and requires Master Keys in groups.

While it has higher-level access than the master keys, it can’t open all the doors as the Grand Master key can.

Grand Master Keys uses a corporate master key for multi-site location access.

Master Keys are only for limited stakeholders within the company.

Therefore, people may only be authorized to access individual locks according to their needs.

Great Grand Master Key

The Great Grand Master is the highest level of a master key system.

If you want a key to open all your offices and facilities, you need a great grand master key.

Usually, these keys are held by a company officer and kept under rigid lock and key.

The Great Grand Master Key system incorporates more than one Grand Master Key system.

This key can access all the Grand Master Keyed areas under it.

How Do the Master Keys Work?

Any key that opens two or more locks is a master key.

Most Master Keys use tumbler and pin locks.

For this Master Key to work, there must be a master wafer inside the lock.

When the master wafers line up, it can freely turn the key and lock.

If they don’t have a master wafer, it can’t work.

Remember that a Master Key works with multiple master wafer configurations.

Key in lock

Most critical key systems operate beyond the confines of the primary needle lock.

The basic needle padlock mainly works to open the lock and the pin.

This needle padlock consists of a driver pin and a raised pin to lie on opposite sides of the shear line.

Additionally, a button increases the key pins of universal size within the lock.

Therefore, the key has a suitable set of grooves to raise the pins to their exact height.

Convenience

The Master Key System reduces the keys you carry around and eliminates the struggle to find the right one when you need it.

In an emergency, a master key can get you in faster.

Most large companies don’t want their employees to carry large keys.

Primary keys mostly allow different access levels to restricted areas.

For instance, property managers will have one key that works for all properties.

Supposing there are five chambers in a lock with five active needles.

Each of these stacks has a wafer with two possible shear lines for each chamber.

For example, for a total of 32 suitable keys, only two types the locksmith only needs to make two types.

One key is for the custodian of the master key and the person with access to the locks on the site.

Security Vulnerabilities

Security vulnerabilities happen when we are complacent.

In the master keying system, weaknesses happen when unauthorized personnel access the master key.

The weakness in most master-keyed lock systems is in commercial, educational, government, or industrial facilities and some centrally managed residences.

Master keying is ideal for custodians to carry a few keys.

It is impossible to tell whether a key is part of a master key system.

You should ask your building management, locksmith, or maintenance office whether your locks are master keyed.

Creating a master key requires minimal skill with no evidence and recognizable suspicious behavior.

But, constitute a potential hazard to the security system.

Decoding

The decoding determines the correct position of components in a lock through disassembly, manipulation, measurement, and observation of keys.

This provides information to create a working key without opening the lock.

Exploration keys decode master systems is the first cue in the exploration cycle with zero cut and no cross-section as though the groove were empty.

Then you can add codes and cut the zero.

Figure out how to affix the first section to the wrench as you go deep into the grooves.

For example, there is no leading wafer if you turn the key on one depth.

If the lock opens at two depths, there is a first needle holder.

The more shear line there is the more wafers and pins.

This exploration key holds the depth closest to the depth in the original key.

Start the next intersection at zero and repeat the process.

Remember that you retain the unique depth not in the original key every time you make another research key.

Picking

Attaching headbands to your lock will endanger your safety but with a few deviations.

And yet, as long as the leading wafer constitutes a functional shear line, you will jeopardize safety.

There are similar ways to choose a five-chamber wave lock, each with the leading wafer.

The rise in lifting weakness will make the lock vulnerable to the bypass technique.

The capability to beat your security corresponds with the obstacle in the security industry.

You need to assess the risk with the vulnerability of your system.

You also need to measure how the master key system can uphold your security.

Making a Master Key System

Locksmiths have practiced the conceptualization of master-keying for centuries.

But, it is just recently that it became widespread for homeowners and businesses.

Take note that master keying is not applicable for lever-type locks.

It is generally a far more restrictive approach and not secure.

Therefore, master key systems at present the cylinder operated locks.

On the whole, the concept of master keying is the lock will only open using a unique key.

This master key has pins, one for the masker key and the other for the individual key.

These pins have to be in the same place.

Smaller pins sit on top of other pins to add more depth to the keys.

For instance, if key #1 has a six-pin depth cylinder and the master key has different cuts, then you can use both key #1 and the Master Key as first rows.

The first row of pin sizes will not allow the keys to open the cylinder because the keys don’t match.

But, the pins allow more minor cuts to work.

Meaning additional float pins on top of these will make the difference.

As for the second row, add secondary pins on top to make the cut work.

Door Key

In the master key system, you can unlock a door with at least two keys.

If you want a master key system, the first step is to put together two buttons with an identical style.

Then you have to decode their depths.

Use a key gauge to accomplish this.

You can still do it without the gauge by being creative with your tools.

If you’re a locksmith, you have the tools to make a new key with the cuts you want using two current keys.

Purchase an attachment kit if you want to do this again and again.

Start with the first key.

Then, assemble the lock that matches it.

Rule of thumb, your keys must be of the same models to make a master key system.

You should begin with one lock and two keys.

Additional Security

Additional security maintains your master key system.

This security will make the decoding challenging but not an impossible precaution.

The additional sidebars with key active elements will make it complicated.

The primary system doesn’t even have to use an adjustment lock.

The master disc lock will serve as a more sophisticated means of secured protection.

With the additional security, the lock will become more elaborate.

But, you have to make sure you know the system’s complexity when you add more security to your lock.

As a general rule, if you can’t dismantle and assemble the lock, don’t do it by yourself.

Explore ideas to create additional security.

If no one agrees with your idea, find a device that integrates your opinion.

Test all your enhanced security systems before using them.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, the primary key system has two or more keys open to a single lock.

When making a master key system, the locks and keys must be of the same brand and model.

Tablet needle headlights use a wafer or pins between the key and the driver pin.

While these systems use roller locks, they use separate locks for individual security levels.

The critical lock limits the keys required to unlock multiple locks.

This system is complicated when introducing a large master key.

Always evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your master key system.