Choosing an Electronic Safe

Use the list below to help you decide which Electronic Safe is right for you.

• Size
• User Friendly
• Management Issues
• Maintenance
• Mechanical Security
• Electronic Security
• Electronic Override
• Audit Trail
• Shut Down Mode

Important Factors to Consider

Electronic Safe Size

Choose a safe that will easily accommodate any requirements your users generally have, from personal effects, to laptop computers to larger items that need to be secured.

User Friendly

The keypad and display on your safe should be large enough, ADA compliant, and visible inside cabinets or closets. The instructions must be simple, clear, visible and available in multi-languages. The safe should be easy to reach. The international standard is to use either 4 or 6-Digit code.

Management Issues

The major problem with most safes is that they relock with the push of a single button. Therefore, in order to unlock the safe a staff member must go to the room to override the safe. To avoid this select a safe featuring Code-To-Close technology.

Maintenance

Select a safe that uses 4 standard AA batteries which are inexpensive and widely available. A simple operation should be available to check the battery level. Try replacing the batteries in the safe that you are interested in purchasing. Look at the number of screws that will have to be removed and replaced and look where they are located. For many safes on the market, changing the batteries is a difficult and time-consuming chore. Select a safe featuring its bolt mechanism fixed on the door rather than fixed into the inside cover. In the interest of your engineering department, make sure that the bolt mechanism and its electronic board are contained together in a single replaceable part.

 Mechanical Security

Choose a safe with at least 2 solid steel anti-drill rotating bolts (one is not enough). Select a safe with recessed doors for insertion protection, anti-labyrinth mechanism, tamper-proof security screws and bolt-side reinforced mechanism.

Electronic Security

Choose a safe with reliable electronics against surge attacks, up to 500,000 volts surge attack.

Electronic Override

The classic technique to override a locked safe is by using the master code. It is better to select a safe with Non-Resident master code contained in a portable programmer. Make sure that the portable programmer is password protected and that operators are identified by name. It is also important that portable programmers are designed to be heavy duty, fall & shock resistant.