The rules and regulations in the gaming and correctional industries that govern the use, storage and safekeeping of keys have had a profound impact on the design and operation of today’s automated key control systems. In the corrections industry, the ACA (American Correctional Association) sets the standards for use and performance while in the gaming industry, key control systems can be regulated by Minimum Internal Control Standards for Class II Gaming.

Regardless of the environment, keys require the highest levels of security. To achieve this, cards and keys stored in the key control cabinets can only be accessed by pre-authorized personnel and all access activity is automatically recorded and tracked. The system is engineered so that the cabinet door does not open until after it has been verified that the user is authorized to access the requested key or key set(s). Beyond this level of security, a locking mechanism attached to each key fastens it in place in the key slot and a built-in alarm will sound if a user tries to force the cabinet door open or dislodge a key with force, helping ensure the integrity of the system.

Authorized users have access to keys only as approved by the system administrator. In applications such as casinos, correctional facilities or other environments where large numbers of keys and users are the norm, administration of the system is made easier with powerful management features. For example, profiles containing information regarding access level, department, key limit and so on can be applied to a uniform group rather than establishing the same profile for each individual user in that group. When the profile changes, it automatically cascades to all users within that profile group.

Key control systems are mission critical and today’s advanced systems are more reliable and secure than ever.