With so much focus on access control and security on exit doors, people often overlook the importance of cabinet and drawer locks. However, one of the most common issues retail stores have is the locks on the drawers not being able to withstand any sort of force and that can make break-ins easier. For example, we were recently asked:
“We’re in the process of purchasing new office furniture. What should I look for in cabinets and drawers in order to get the most security for my money and reduce the amount of break-ins?”
There are several considerations. As always, price plays a big part in any decision you make, but there are many affordable options.
Just because you might not want to spend a great deal of money on security features doesn’t mean you can’t get the level of security you want.
Getting the Security You Want in Cabinet and Drawer Locks
Quality Furniture
Yes, this seems like a no-brainer. While the quality of construction matters, you also need to check out the quality of the built-in locks.
For example, some of the drawers on the cabinets in LockNet’s offices came with a plastic cam lock. While this isn’t a big deal for us, that definitely won’t work with businesses that keep confidential information or highly valuable product in their cabinet drawers.
Check into the sturdiness of your locks before you make a purchase. Cam locks provide a decent amount of security but if you’re interested in a beefier lock, you might look for a cabinet drawer with a door/drawer lock.
Bolt Length
We recently had a customer who was faced with the issue of their cabinet doors being torn off because the locks couldn’t withstand the force of thieves as they pried them open. This led to a pretty big loss in inventory, so they were desperate for an answer.
The locks they were using had a shorter bolt that could be jiggled just enough to lower it in order to get the cabinet door open. The scary part is that no special tools were needed. This could have easily been done with a paperclip.
Once we took a look at their cabinets, we determined that a lock with a longer bolt to fit in the pocket of the lock would do the trick.
Make sure when you shop for office furniture that you check the depth of the strike. A deeper strike will allow for the bolt to fit more securely inside and reduce the chances of it slipping out.
Key Systems
Key systems are a hot topic, but most people don’t realize your store’s key system can also extend to your cabinet and drawer locks.
With key systems, the level of security you have can range depending on what type of key system you have chosen for your store. In turn, this can amp up the security on your cabinets and drawers.
Overall, the security of retail store cabinets and drawers often gets overlooked. However, with so many options and possibilities for your cabinet lock security, there’s no reason to worry about the lack of security available for the furniture within your office or store. You can reduce break-ins and product loss along with being able to better protect confidential materials all with the choice of a proper lock.
Do you have questions about which cabinet and drawer locks would work best for you? Unsure about which locks to install? We can help! Contact us today!