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Medeco� High Security Locks was born as "Mechanical Development Company," a small tool & die shop in Salem, Virginia. In 1968, the owners and employees of the company developed a unique locking principle of angled key cuts and elevating and rotating pin tumblers that provided millions of key combinations and a level of security that was unmatched in its time. The angled cuts on the key were used to rotate unique bottom pins. Hardened steel inserts and a sidebar were used to produce a cylinder that was highly resistant to virtually all forms of attack. Soon after, Medeco was officially formed and immediately set the standard for high security and key control.

The angled cuts on the Medeco key and the design of the cylinder were so unique that a utility patent was issued. This utility patent protected the operation of the cylinder and also covered the key so that no other manufacturer could produce the cylinder or the key blank. The principle of exclusive manufacturing rights over key blanks was successfully proven in court many times over the life of the original patent, validating the concept of utility patents as an effective method of key control.

Medeco's use of utility patents to provide the ultimate in key control was so successful that in 1985 a new design called Biaxial� was developed. It also provided high security and key control through the use of the elevating and rotating tumbler design and provided even greater master keying capability due to double cuts on the keys and special offset tips on the pins. Additionally, hardened steel inserts were strategically placed to defend against virtually any form of physical attack. A utility patent on both the key and the cylinder was - and still is - used to provide protection against unauthorized manufacture and duplication of key blanks.

In 1995, KeyMark� by Medeco was introduced for installations requiring strong patented key control without the need for additional drill and pick resistant features. KeyMark became the ideal product for institutions since its interchangeable core directly retrofits Small Format Interchangeable Cores (SFIC) such as Best� style and others. While KeyMark is not UL437 rated, the unique "security leg�" shape of the keyway and the mushroom bottom and top pin design offers enhanced pick resistance.

In 1997, Medeco introduced electronics to the high security mechanical cylinder market with the SiteLine� family of products. Siteline is unique to the industry in that it offers the simplicity of a single SiteKey� credential for both electronic and mechanical access control. And, it easily integrates into new or existing EAC installations.

What is the risk?

Key control, or more accurately the lack of key control is one of the biggest risks that businesses or property owners face.

Without a key control system you cannot be sure who has keys or how many keys they have to your property. Not having a patent controlled key system leads to unauthorized key duplication, which leads to unauthorized access to your property or employee theft.

Most key control systems utilize patented keys and or cylinders, these lock cylinders employ very precise locking systems that can only be operated by the unique keys to that system. Because the cylinders and or the keys are patented, the duplication of keys can only be done by factory authorized professional locksmiths.

The key blanks and lock cylinders are made available only to those same factory authorized professional locksmiths. Procedures may be in place to allow you to contract with another security professional, should the need arise.

The control can be at the locksmith dealer level, at the distributor level, or at the manufacturer level.

All high security key control systems require specific permission to have keys originated or duplicated. These procedures assure the property owner or manager that they will always know who has keys and how many. If an employee leaves and you get the keys back, you can be reasonably assured that no copies of your keys are floating around.

Most systems have cylinders that will retrofit existing hardware, keeping the cost of acquisition lower. Some systems employ different levels of security within the system, still giving patented control, but not requiring ultra high security where it is not needed. These measures are again aimed at cost control.

Most systems can be masterkeyed, some will coordinate with existing master key systems. There are systems available that allow interchangable core cylinders that will retrofit existing interchangeable core systems.

Your Security Professional, can help you select the system most suited to your needs.

Medeco Combats the Bump Key
Law Enforcement and Security Dealers Educated in standard lock risks

Salem, Va., August 4, 2006 � �Security flaw in your locks?� asks a recent Newsweek.com headline. The term �Hackers� is typically associated with those who attempted to break into computer systems. Now Hackers are people attempting to defeat a wide range of protected systems � including the locks on your doors.

Medeco, the industry�s leading high security lock manufacturer, has expanded its� acclaimed educational training module to explain the vulnerability that many locks face to a bumping attack. This training is offered to Crime Prevention associations and security dealers.

Medeco is commonly known as a �bump proof lock� by those who view picking as a sport. Standard locks utilize a single locking point, while high security locks such as Medeco utilize multiple locking technologies. To see why Medeco is not vulnerable to this type of attack, a short video is available at www.medeco.com in the Interactive Security Solutions link.

According to statistics provided by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the Department of Justice, nearly 2/3 of all break-ins occur with no sign of forced entry. While some of these crimes may be a result of an unlocked door, most experts agree that lock bumping, picking or use of an unauthorized duplicate key are often the case.

�This should provide the economic motivation for a consumer to pay a bit more for quality high security locks for their home or business that protect everything they own,� according to Clyde Roberson, Director of Technical Services at Medeco Security Locks. �Bumping is a vulnerability to many standard locks, and that�s why we educate the experts on proper steps that can be taken to minimize the risk. Not all locks can be bumped; consumers just need to know the differences.�

Bump This!   Always a step ahead of the game, Mul-T-Lock offers a reassuring response to growing concerns over bump-keying, and the good news is�it�s no news at all.

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Although, the subject of �Bump-Keying�, also known as the �999 Method� is often presented as a cutting-edge cylinder manipulation technique and has recently surfaced as �breaking news�, the practice has been familiar to Mul-T-Lock and the locksmith industry for many, many years now. Many present the method as an undetectable and simple way to bypass high security; this, however, is not the case, and Mul-T-Lock�s high security cylinders are prepared to resist this type of attack. Keep in mind that the conditions under which people have claimed successful �Bump-Keying� attempts are often within the confines of a controlled environment: a laboratory experiment if you will. Out in the real world, however, thieves and criminals are subjected to time constraints, discreet behavior, and other relevant factors. Those who dedicate hours upon hours and even days upon days to uninterrupted, diligent, manipulation attempts simply do not represent the actual conditions of a cylinder�s use. Furthermore, those that claim to have the ability to defeat our locks have often been found to be using pre-treated (altered in advance) cylinders that are designed to trick the naked eye, much like an amateur magician�s �special� deck of cards. Our high security products are designed to defend against a vast array of manipulation techniques on real world applications, and we confidently assert that unauthorized entry will not be gained by anyone under such conditions. Proof of this is in the fact that not one supposedly successful bumping attempt was performed with a non-treated Mul-T-Lock cylinder straight from the shelf of our factory and onto a customer�s door. As a top global player in the high security arena, Mul-T-Lock has enjoyed the benefits of having access to worldwide information on security threats long before they are introduced to the mainstream. This defense has allowed us to arm our products accordingly right from the very start. In addition to exceeding an amazing range of international strength and reliability standards, Mul-T-Lock has continued to combat security risks through constant research and development as well as product testing and evolution. We have long integrated strategically placed hardened steel inserts throughout our robust and durable cylinders to gain a UL 437 listing for drill resistance and have surpassed many international standards like CEN, VDS, and SKJ, to name a few. And since we are no stranger to the existence of �Bump-Keying�, Mul-T-Lock has been incorporating �Mushroom Pins� and combined inter-locking pin sets into our entire product line. The design of these sets and �Mushroom Pins� has proven particularly effective in preventing the �Bump-Keying� cylinder manipulation method, and has added yet another powerful element to our impressive list of mechanical precautions. Mul-T-Lock is always on the lookout for new threats, and staying a step ahead of the game is what we do best. You can be sure that being protected by Mul-T-Lock means being protected by a company that incorporates global experience and worldwide know-how into each and every product.