Security is paramount to every individual. For anyone living in Sheffield, it can be challenging to feel truly safe. Rising crime rates and a growing level of focus on the kinds of crimes that take place here make it easy to feel at risk. If you have noticed an increasing number of Sheffield locksmiths, it is because there is high demand for transformative security solutions, like locks.
Not just any kind of lock, though – digital locks. As homes become increasingly filled with smart technology, we become reliant on its effectiveness. The same goes for our security; many of us rely on smart locks, smart security systems, and 24/7 camera recordings to keep ourselves safe. To ward off criminals. Yet, do they work? Are digital locks providing more benefits and fewer risks than standard lock and key systems?
Read on to find answers to these questions, and much more, with a guide that was written by a team of professional locksmiths in Sheffield.
Digital Door Locks: What Are They? What Do They Offer?
At the moment, if you have traditional locks, you use a key to lock and unlock your door. That has been the norm for centuries, if not longer. Locking a door with a key feels ‘normal’, but for many of us, it has become the norm to lock our doors using a digital device. You might use your smartphone to lock and unlock your doors. Or, you might use a biometric scanner or a keypad device for putting in a PIN.
There are many options to choose from when it comes to high security door locks. If you thought that traditional lock and key options were varied, digital locks are every bit as diverse. These keyless entry systems are very popular with people who prioritise ease of access and technical advancement over the tried and tested use of keys. What, though, does a digital lock provide in terms of features and benefits?
Removing The Need For Keys
Now, the first and arguably main benefit of digital locks is that they eschew the requirement to have a key. If you have ever lost your keys, you know why this is beneficial. With digital locks, you can lock your doors with a smartphone, and you can unlock them too. You can, if you prefer, use an on-door device like an access terminal for entering a PIN code or submitting a biometric scan, i.e. fingerprints.
Your door then reads these codes/biometric scans/smartphone inputs and locks/unlocks your door. That means no more worrying about losing your keys or the like. If you lose your access to your digital locks, a locksmith can get you back inside without having to remove locks or re-key your whole home physically. That means that even in a worst-case scenario, emergency support is quicker to deliver.
Multiple Temporary Access Options
Another primary benefit of digital locks is how easy they make giving access to others. Instead of going to a locksmith and getting new spare keys cut for your other residents or tenants in a rented property, you give them an access code. That code gets them into the property whenever they use it. If someone happens to lose their access credentials, you can quickly delete and replace them.
The same goes for one-time and temporary access. Say you have a high-value delivery arriving, but you will not be home. You could give the delivery driver one-time access so they can leave your new delivery in a safer space inside your home (if you feel comfortable doing so). If you have a maintenance professional arriving to fix a problem, you can create a one-time access code for them. This is much quicker, easier, and less risky than having to leave spare keys for people to use, right?
High-Level Security
Of course, the main benefit of having digital locks is that they make your home safer. Why else would you invest in such a system if it did not?
Thanks to the high-quality encryption employed by digital locks fitted by professional locksmiths, you are in a much safer territory. If someone steals your keys and works out where you live, they can open your door with no resistance. With digital locks, they would need to hack into your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth channels, which is far more complicated than it sounds.
Remote Management
You also get the benefit with digital locks that you can manage access from afar. With traditional keys, you need to be physically present to open the door. With digital locks, you can provide remote access. If your kids call you to get into the house when you are at work, you can open the door for them and then lock it once they are inside.
By using the companion app with your digital locks, you can unlock your doors from miles away. So long as you have an internet connection, you can do so.
Instant Notifications
The other, final benefit of having digital locks is that you get an immediate push notification when your doors are locked/unlocked. That means you have full knowledge of when your locks have been tried, and when the attempt was successful or unsuccessful.
Not only does this make preventing a break-in much easier, but it also means catching your kids when they break curfew is easier. The fact that your entry/exits are timestamped, and what codes were used are displayed, is great for security purposes.
Digital Locks Sound Perfect!
They are pretty awesome, right? Unfortunately, nothing in life is perfect. They do come with some risks and challenges that you need to address. For one, they are more expensive than what you would pay for traditional locks. The price can often be multiples of what it would cost to have the best traditional locks fitted into your doors. They also require professional support to install and operate.
There is also the fact that digital locks take a bit longer to get to grips with, especially for people who are not quite so comfortable with smart technology. That can lead to getting constant notifications as a non-techy family member continues to lock and unlock the doors without knowing what they are doing wrong. That adaptation period can add to the time it takes to get to grips with digital locks.
Then, there is the fact that digital locks require a power source. Both to operate the locks and to access the locks using your smartphone. While many suppliers provide you with a backup power source in case your mains power goes down, you can still run into problems if your smartphone or your mains power dies.
Finally, there is compatibility. You might find that digital locks are not compliant with the kind of door(s) you have. That would mean you need to get the door and/or the frames modified or replaced.
That adds to the cost of installation, sometimes drastically. With that being the case, ask yourself this:
Should I Just Stick To Traditional Lock And Key Access?
It’s a fair and valid question, and one worth asking. For one, most of us feel comfortable with using traditional locks vs digital locks. They have been a part of life for hundreds of years, so they feel more ‘normal’ than relying on digital devices. They are also generally much cheaper to install and maintain, meaning they cost you less in the long run. They also need very little training or adaptation time.
With the right traditional locks installed by a professional locksmith, your locks could last you for decades. So long as they are British Standards 3621 approved, too, they should remain highly durable in the face of potential break-ins. It’s much easier to find traditional locks that you feel comfortable with and that are within your budget than it is to find digital locks.
That said, traditional locks are more likely to be worked out by a criminal. Older standard locks remain vulnerable to techniques like lock snapping. Even high-quality, BS3621-approved locks can be broken through by criminals with the required skills and experience. The number of criminals in the UK who know how to break through traditional locks is far higher than those with the skills to break through your digital locks.
You also need to be physically present to manage your traditional locks, eschewing the convenience that comes with digital locks. Then, you have the risk that your keys break or snap in the lock, meaning you need to hire a locksmith to fix the problem, leading to expensive re-keying services.
What Is The Best Choice For Me? Smart Locks Or Digital Locks?
Sadly, there is no 100% perfect answer for this question. You need to factor into account your lifestyle, your technical preferences, and your comfort level with technology. You also need to think about who else lives in your home; you might be tech-savvy, but is everyone else?
For many, standard locks feel like the easier choice, as we know what we are getting with them. We know they can be tampered with by criminals, but they generally provide robust security. They also remain easy to use as they are so familiar; you don’t need to train anyone on how to lock or unlock a door. Showing someone how to use the companion app for smart locks correctly is tougher.
If you are someone who likes using modern technology, you might find more comfort and peace of mind from digital locks. You also get the remote management and the ability to use features like auto-locking and even voice communication with people at your door. They offer far more features and versatility than standard, ‘normal’ locks. It just depends on how extensive you want your security to be.
Making The Right Decision
We would suggest that most multi-resident and commercial properties would benefit from having smart locks/digital locks. They offer better functionality and overall control. They also make it easier to cover up for mistakes or oversights, such as someone not locking the door. With auto-locking, you can always be sure that security protocols are followed to the letter, keeping everyone safer overall.
Generally, our advice would be to contact a locksmith in your area. They can go through the process of digital locks with you, as well as what features the models they have can provide. You can then sit down with whoever you share your property with and determine how comfortable you would be with switching to digital locks. Otherwise, a locksmith can offer upgrades on the locks you already have.
Either way, you can find a pathway to making your home safer. So long as you work with a locksmith who has experience and accreditation, you should see an improvement regardless of your choice.