Security is as important today as it's ever been; perhaps more-so. Rising regional criminal activity, economic downturn, and the constant threat of natural disaster has people seeking personal accountability over the protection of their valuables. A safe is the most effective, practical way of guarding the material belongings that you care about, and the industry is constantly making improvements to cater to prospecting safe owners.
Arguably the most important feature on a safe is the lock. After all, without it, it would simply be a steel chest waiting to be emptied. Safe locks can be incredibly complex, and range in a variety of accessibility. Most common on smaller safes are keyed entry locks. On generally larger units, from personal gun safes to bank vaults, the security gamut is filled with a range of traditional combination locks and hi-tech biometric scanners. However, the lock that strikes the perfect balance between dependability and usability is the keypad-entry electronic lock.
Access to electronic locks, as mentioned, is nearly always governed by a keypad system, storing a numerical (in some cases alphanumerical) pass code - generally six digits in length. This allows the safe user to open the door significantly faster than the trusty, but slow rotating dial, while providing more accurate access security than the sharp, but imperfect biometric scanner.
While there are certainly sub-spectacular models on the market, many of them are constructed to stand up to the toughest of tests. Electronic locks listed in UL's (Underwriters Laboratories - security product testing leader) Type 1F Group are endorsed for approval by federal standards. While a lock of this caliber may be a bit overkill (both in price and function) for personal need, the possibilities for security are virtually endless.
To elaborate on the point of possibility, electronic locks open the door for more supplemental security integration than any other brand of safe lock in the industry. Many high-end models can be seamlessly integrated into alarms, motion detectors, video cameras, and remotely accessible locations. The boundaries of adaptable personal security can be pushed as far as you need them to go.
All of their strong suits aside, electronic locks certainly have a few relative shortcomings, particularly when stacked up to their mechanical counterparts. Though they simply run on batteries, which need to be changed very rarely, their lifespan doesn't hold a candle to a well-maintained combination lock (some 100 year old models are still functioning today). However, longevity remains a goal of high priority, and manufacturers continue to invest their efforts in improving resilience.
In conclusion, trusting an electronic lock to secure the valuables in your safe is a wise choice, as reflected by their proven dependability and ever-flexible versatility.
