Businesses Urged to Review Keys and Access Permissions Amid Security Risks

Access audits help businesses manage keys and permissions while reducing security risks

Coventry, England, United Kingdom, September 3, 2026 -- Businesses regularly issue keys, fobs and access permissions to employees, managers, contractors and agency staff. This is also normally for very obvious reasons, whether to open and lock up, cover holiday periods, or ensure a colleague has access to a specific room or space when working on a particular project.

The issues that can, though, arise, as explained by Eydens Locksmiths & Security, often occur when those permissions aren’t regularly reviewed, and businesses lose track of who has access to which parts of their premises, or how many keys are in circulation.

Over time, this can become a serious security risk, with former employees still having working keys, contractors able to access a site long after work has ended, or outdated permissions leaving sensitive areas exposed. The specialists in security arrangements share advice for any companies that are worried about their access, and work through how the audit process might work.

Common Problems Associated With Outdated Keyholder Lists

Typically, businesses start with a straightforward system where a handful of trusted employees, managers or owners have copies of keys. However, as organisations grow, or keyholders have periods of absence or holiday, those arrangements can quickly become a lot more complicated.

Companies might be issuing additional keys, fobs or passes to cleaning contractors, temporary staff, maintenance engineers or security personnel, as just a few examples, and any doubts about whether management knows with certainty who can access the building can be concerning.

In most cases, staff turnover is the main reason businesses can lose control of their physical security. Even if previous employees have returned their keys, it might be impossible to verify whether or not any duplicates exist or copies were made, especially if the property has changed ownership or tenants and might not have had the locks replaced.

Unknown keyholders, lost or stolen keys, duplicated keys, outdated access permissions and having ex-employees or people who may have worked for a previous company that operated from the building who still have a key can all contribute to unacceptably high security risks.

While the potential for a deliberate intrusion might be hard to quantify, it is also strongly advisable to take action. The financial costs of replacing stolen equipment, investigating incidents or recovering from a security breach will almost always far outweigh the time and cost involved in reviewing access arrangements before problems occur.

How to Organise a Business Access Audit

Access audits are processes where companies look to ensure they know who has the ability to enter any part of their premise, whether using physical keys or electronic passes or fobs. This should include master keys, fobs, PIN codes, access cards, alarm codes and temporary permissions.

Each access method needs to have a list of all named individuals, whether they still require access, and whether those permissions can be removed. Ideally, every key, fob or pass should also have a unique serial or log number, which makes it far easier to determine who has each key, and who therefore is responsible for keeping it safe or reporting losses.

In situations where there is ambiguity about who has a key, or who has access, it may be well worth considering whether locks, cylinders or access permissions need to be updated, again with the costs in mind of security breaches that could have been preventable.

Important Considerations for Businesses With Master Keys

Master key systems are practical ways for authorised personnel to be able to open multiple locks with a single key, while individual employees or contractors can only access specific rooms or parts of a site. They are commonly used in settings with numerous different doors and locks, or with varying entry rules, such as healthcare facilities, schools, offices and retail centres.

The concern may be that, because a master key gives a holder access to most or all of the areas within a building, losing track of who has one can be even more of a security threat than losing an individual key.

Regular access audits should record who holds every master key, whether any of those keyholders have since left the business, if any master keys have been lost, and whether key control procedures remain effective and relevant, especially if access permissions have changed.

The best approach is often to consider a restricted key system, which means additional copies can only be made with formal authorisation, providing assurance that former employees cannot have duplicate keys cut without the right permission.

Choosing Between Mechanical and Digital Access Controls

Traditional keys remain appropriate for a lot of businesses, including smaller premises or buildings without complex security requirements, or for whom one main entrance doesn’t necessarily need more advanced controls.

Options include high-security cylinders, push-button locks and mechanical access systems, all of which may offer reliable, cost-effective protection against unauthorised access, provided they are properly managed.

That said, growing organisations and those with greater security risks often prefer electronic access controls, which work as digital entry systems. Businesses can remove access permissions instantly without having to physically change locks, assign permissions to specific individuals, record who has entered and left areas, produce access activity reports, and mitigate the risks related to lost or copied keys.

Another solution is to consider networked access control systems, which provide more flexibility by allowing businesses to manage access rights for all of the doors, buildings or departments in a facility from one central point. They can then update access permissions remotely, which is often very useful for companies with large workforces, multiple departments or high staff turnover.

How to Ensure Keyholding and Access Permissions Remain Current

Every business will have its own security requirements, and having the right combination or number of locks, master key systems and access controls will depend on the size of their premises, the staff or visitors who need access, and the level of security necessary.

The best advice for anybody reviewing their existing key management systems, considering upgrades to electronic access controls or deciding whether their master key suites are being well managed is to start with an access audit, which will often show gaps or vulnerabilities very quickly.

Any locks or entrances that aren’t controlled may benefit from new locks, cylinders or access controls, or replacement with contemporary entry systems which ensure day-to-day access is never restricted, but that only approved individuals can gain entry to the business.

About the company: Eydens Locksmiths and Security have over 20 years of experience providing professional, fast and reliable locksmith and security solution services to residential and commercial clients in Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Kenilworth, Leamington, Stratford upon Avon and Warwick, and are members of the MLA.

Contact Info:
Name: Rob Eyden
Email: Send Email
Organization: Eydens Locksmiths and Security
Website: https://www.eydens.co.uk/

Release ID: 89202152

Should there be any problems, inaccuracies, or doubts arising from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down, we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our efficient team will promptly address your concerns within 8 hours, taking necessary steps to rectify identified issues or assist with the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is central to our commitment.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Ray & Scott Limited Strengthens Its Legacy with an Exclusive Luxury Watches Collection
• First Responders Children's Foundation Launches Mental Health and Resiliency Program in Washington
• Landsbankinn hf.: Moody’s assigns initial rating to Landsbankinn