Due to their “smart” electronic nature, electronic safes are both more secure and more convenient than traditional safes with mechanical key locks or combination dial locks. This is due to several reasons. First, they are more convenient because they are easier to open. Second, they are more secure because they allow you to add and delete users and they give you an “audit trail” of who has accessed the safe.
Their are two major types of electronic safes currently in use — one type using an electronic keypad locking mechanism, the other type uses what is called a biometric lock. The electronic keypad type lock has an electronic keypad much like the ones found on ATM machines. In order to open the safe, you enter a PIN number on the electronic keypad. If it matches one that has been programmed into the safe, it will open the safe.
You can assign different PIN numbers to multiple users with this type of safe. This allows you to access what is called an audit trail. This is a list of all the times that the safe has been opened, and the PIN number that was used each time to open the safe. This tells you who has accessed the safe and when.
Another security aspect of an electronic safe is that you can delete users as well as add them. If someone leaves your employ, rather than having to change the combination on a safe, or change out the keylocks, you simply delete their PIN number from the system so they no longer have access.
The second type of electronic locking mechanism used on electronic safes is called a biometric lock. The most common type of biometric lock uses a fingerprint scanner to scan the index finger of a person desiring access. This makes it the most convenient type of safe to open. If the fingerprint matches one that has been given access to the safe, it will open the safe.
Multiple users can be added to a biometric safe simply by scanning their index finger. In addition, there are buttons which allow you to view an audit trail for this type of safe as well. In addition, you can also use these buttons to delete a user from the safe’s access database. A biometric safe also keeps an audit trail so you can see who has accessed the safe and when.
Some electronic safes connect to a personal computer for viewing the audit trail. Others show the information on a small built-in display. Regardless of which method they use, the audit trail is a very powerful feature. If you have multiple employees and something comes up missing, you can quickly find out who has accessed the safe and when. Also, if your employees are required to make scheduled withdrawals or deposits, you can tell if these are being made at the proper time.
So if you are considering the purchase of a safe for your home or business, consider getting an electronic one. The electronic keypad type is the most reasonably priced, with the biometric type being a bit more expensive because of the sophisticated technology it uses. You will find that the electronic safe provides more security and more convenience than a traditional safe with a mechanical keylock or combination dial.
Be sure to do business with a reputable safe dealer with some years of experience in the safe business. Ask them for a recommendation on the best brand for the type of electronic safe you wish to buy. Then do a little research into the manufacturer that they recommend to make sure they have a good reputation for building quality safes. Remember, when it comes to safe, the cheapest price is not always the best deal if you are not getting a quality product. For more information on electronic safes, visit the Vault and Safe website at http://vaultandsafe.com.