What Makes a Lock 'High Security'?
The term 'high security' is used loosely in marketing. Here's what it actually means — and what certifications to look for.
· 6 min read · Security
Walk into any hardware store and you'll see lock boxes with phrases like "maximum security," "heavy duty," and "high security." But these are often just marketing terms with no formal standard behind them. Real high-security locks are a distinct product category with specific, independently tested characteristics.
The Formal Definition
In the professional locksmith community and among security researchers, "high security" typically refers to locks that have been tested and certified against specific, documented attack methods. The most recognized standards include:
ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 — The American National Standards Institute grades locks on a 1–3 scale, with Grade 1 being the highest. This grading addresses operational cycle count, door clearances, and force resistance. All serious high-security products carry Grade 1 BHMA certification as a baseline.
UL 437 — Underwriters Laboratories Standard 437 for high-security key locks tests cylinders and deadbolts against picking, forcing, pulling, drilling, sawing, and key modification attacks. A UL 437 listing means the product has passed documented laboratory testing under controlled conditions.
European EN 1303 — For European market products (and their US equivalents), EN 1303 rates cylinders on a 1–6 scale across security categories including picking resistance, drilling resistance, and bump resistance.
What Physical Features Define High-Security Locks
Products that legitimately claim high-security status typically share:
Pick-resistant cylinder design — Anti-pick pins (spool, serrated, or mushroom driver pins), sidebar mechanisms, or other internal elements that complicate single-pin picking.
Drill-resistant construction — Hardened steel anti-drill pins, plates, or inserts embedded in the cylinder body at drill attack points.
Key control — Patented or restricted keyways that prevent unauthorized key duplication. High-security locks almost universally include some form of key control.
Hardened bolt — For deadbolts, a solid steel or hardened steel bolt that resists sawing.
Anti-bump design — Configuration of pins or alternate locking mechanisms that resist bump key attacks.
Brands That Consistently Meet These Standards
In the US market, brands with established high-security product lines and documented certification include: - Medeco (acquired by Stanley Security) - Mul-T-Lock - ASSA ABLOY (including Abloy Protec, Arrow High Security) - Schlage (B-series commercial, Primus) - Kwikset (SmartKey line, though at a lower price point) - Sargent (commercial)
The High-Security Value Proposition
High-security locks cost significantly more — often $150–$400+ per cylinder versus $30–$80 for standard residential hardware. The value depends on your threat model. For most residential applications, a properly installed Grade 1 deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate addresses the realistic risk profile adequately. For commercial applications, properties with key control requirements, or high-value residential installations, the certified protection of a true high-security lock may be justified.
If you're uncertain what level of protection is appropriate for your Miami property, Caraballo Locksmith offers security consultations to help you make an informed decision.
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