Smart Locks vs Traditional Locks: What’s More Secure?

The locks on your business are the first line of defense for safeguarding your livelihood. There are two different types of locks that you can choose from—smart or traditional, and they both have their pros and cons.

However, it is important to remember that every lock has flaws, no matter how minor—or significant.

So what type should you have in your business? Let’s take a look at the differences between them now!

Traditional Locks versus Smart Locks

Locks have been a staple of business and home security for thousands of years. We tend to take locks at face value in today’s society; however, when they do not keep our residences or commercial building secure, their importance is evidenced by the consequences of not having good locks on your doors.

A good lock provides security from intruders and minimizes the risk of property or inventory losses. It also helps to ensure that you and your employees are safe.

A sound locking system is also a great way to improve efficiency and is helpful when you need to get in and out of your home or business quickly.

Traditional Locks

The term “traditional locks” may sound unfamiliar, but the term refers to the typical locks found in residential and commercial doors. Traditional locks require someone to open them manually with a key.

Traditional locks generally work when a key is inserted to activate the locking mechanism, allowing it to lock or unlock.

You might be familiar with pin tumbler locks, rim locks, and mortise locks, as they are all well-known traditional locks.

While traditional locks have withstood the test of time, they are not 100% secure because they can be picked open, especially with low-quality locks.

Smart Locks

Smart locks are a newer type of lock created for the security and convenience of the user.

They’re typically controlled by your smartphone or other types of mobile device, fob, security code, or key card.

This increase in convenience and efficiency has made many commercial building owners make the switch to smart locks.

For example, instead of using and tracking multiple keys, which can get lost easily, users can simply open their phone, visit the app, and use their technology to unlock it with a passcode instead of worrying about losing keys!

Smart locks are great because they’re convenient but also have some downfalls. Without increased security measures for your software, sophisticated criminals can hack smart locks.

One of our locksmiths can help you decide which is best for your business based on the unique needs that suit it with their knowledge and experience.

The main takeaway is that traditional locks are manually unlocked and locked with a key, while smart locks are opened and closed with a fob, keypad code, app, or key card.

Smart or Traditional Locks for Your Business?

A good lock provides security from intruders—but not all types of locks are created equal as there’s more than one type available to choose from!

Technology continues to make life easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Smart locks were created because of the need for convenience and security and have proven their usefulness to a generation of consumers!

Smart locks allow owners or property managers ultimate control over their buildings or business by allowing greater accessibility than traditional door knobs or keys ever could—all while maintaining affordability.

Nowadays, it seems like almost anyone would want one, but why? What makes this technology so appealing is how many actions you can accomplish without paying for lock replacements, lockouts, or having to track the keys you have made.

There are several smart locks on the market, but it’s hard to say which is best for your needs—one thing you’ll want, though: is a smart lock with enhanced security features.

How Secure is a Traditional Lock?

Because of the number of commercial traditional lock types, it is hard to give a blanket answer to this question. These locks can provide a variety of levels of protection.

Since they are made of various materials, deadbolts can be classified into grades. These grades are usually based on the lock’s strength, endurance, and durability.

The most reliable and durable deadbolt is grade one, while grade three provides minimal security.

Building owners and property managers can use solid metal strike plates and longer deadbolt throws to improve standard locks. You may also purchase locks resistant to lock picking, lock bumping, and other bypass methods.

Provided that you consider the level of security you need for your building, high-quality conventional locks are secure if installed correctly and utilized appropriately.

To do so, one of our professional commercial locksmiths who has the knowledge and the vision to ensure commercial spaces’ security can assist you in choosing the right locking system for your needs.

How Secure is a Smart Lock?

High-quality smart locks, like traditional locks, are a great option in a commercial setting when used appropriately.

Business owners and property managers can now utilize smart locks to better manage and monitor their exits and entrances in a way that traditional locks cannot.

If smart locks are functioning as expected, they provide unrivaled ease of access and comfort.

However, this does not always imply that it is the safest choice. Smart lock manufacturers tend to prioritize the efficiency and additional features of the locks over their safety and security.

It may be difficult to generalize about smart lock security, as several factors matter in commercial spaces, such as:

The design of the device- does it have updated security measures
How attentive property owners and commercial locksmiths are to the commercial space
The size and layout of the commercial space

Smart Locks vs. Traditional Locks

Traditional locks and smart locks both serve a function for business owners and property managers.

As smart locks eliminate the need for keeping track of who has keys in hand at all times, smart locks are an excellent option for business owners who have a high employee turnover or many vendors who frequent their building.

Access codes can be granted and revoked easily, so there is no danger that spare keys can be misplaced or stolen.

Business owners with multiple locations appreciate the choice to manage their locking system via an app from anywhere without being physically present.

On the other hand, traditional locks have been subjected to extensive testing and usage for decades. Many company owners prefer to choose lock brands that they are familiar with since they feel that they are more likely to keep their premises secure.

Thanks to this, manufacturers have been able to strengthen and improve locks and make them more resistant to anything a criminal might throw at them.

In addition to this, you can have one of our locksmiths suggest modifications or different locking systems to increase their security strength.

Smart Locks, on the other hand, are relatively new inventions that have only been around for a short time. In the limited amount of time they’ve existed, their flaws are often compared to their advantages.

This isn’t to say that these locks aren’t useful; instead, it is to point out that they prioritize ease of use over safety. Traditional commercial locks are usually more secure than smart commercial locks because they’ve been in use for much longer and have undergone rigorous testing to ensure their effectiveness.

It is important to consider your business needs when choosing a system for your commercial building.

One of our professional locksmiths can help you understand your commercial locks and how each one functions while giving you advice for upgrades or additions to ensure that your building and its contents are safe and secure.

The convenience features of smart commercial locks may be tempting, but they also trade off some level of safety to provide this ease-of-use functionality.

Ultimately, when choosing between these two commercial lock types, you should consider your business needs and how each type functions before deciding which one is best suited for your building’s locking system.

The Bottom Line

When our team at NV Locksmith installs or upgrades commercial locks on your property, we’ll take into account your business needs as well as the security features that will best serve your building and protect its occupants and contents.

Traditional commercial locks have been used for decades, making them a tried-and-true option with plenty of time to be tested and improved upon; meanwhile, smart locks are relatively new, but there is the question of prioritizing convenience over safety.

Are you looking to change the locks on your business or curious about locking or access control system options? We can help. Contact NV Locksmith to speak to one of our locksmiths about what locks are best for you and your building.

Rationale

There are two different types of locks that you can choose from—smart or traditional, and they both have their pros and cons.

When comparing smart locks vs. traditional locks, there’s a lot to consider.

It is important to consider your business needs when choosing a system for your commercial building.

Contact a professional locksmith at NV Locksmith to help you understand your commercial locks and how each one functions while giving you advice for upgrades or additions to ensure that your building and its contents are safe and secure.