How secure is your business, really? Most building owners assume their locks are enough. The doors close, they click shut, job done. But every day, commercial locksmiths walk into properties with major holes in their security setup. And the frustrating part? Most of these issues are avoidable.
Unsecured Back and Side Entrances
You’d be surprised how many businesses focus all their attention on the front door. Meanwhile, back and side entrances are left with outdated locks or—worse—nothing but a latch.
These are often the weakest points of entry. They’re quieter, out of sight, and perfect for anyone who wants to slip in unnoticed. Locksmiths constantly deal with:
- Doors that don’t shut properly
- Locks that have never been updated
- Staff propping doors open and forgetting them
- Cheap padlocks easily cut or picked
If a burglar wanted to get in, this is where they’d try first. And in a lot of cases, it works.
Worn or Poorly Fitted Locks
Not all locks are created equal, and even good ones can wear down fast if they’re not installed correctly. If you talk to an experienced locksmith, they’ll probably tell you that one of the most common things they see is locks that have been forced into doors that don’t quite match. You end up with latches that don’t fully engage, bolts that misalign, or handles that jam. Over time, these problems only get worse.
There’s also a false sense of security with old hardware. Just because a lock still clicks shut doesn’t mean it’s doing its job. Locksmiths are often called after break-ins where the lock didn’t hold up, not because it was picked, but because it just wasn’t strong enough to begin with.
Lost or Untracked Keys
Handing out keys might feel like a simple admin task. Someone joins the team? Give them a key. Contractor coming in? Hand over a spare.
The issue is what happens after.
Too often, there’s no system for tracking who has access to what. Keys don’t get returned. Spare copies are made without permission. Suddenly, a whole handful of unknown people might have access to your building, and there’s no easy way to fix that without changing the locks.
Locksmiths deal with this constantly. Businesses call in a panic after a staff member leaves on bad terms or a key goes missing. At that point, the only option is to rekey everything.
Over-Reliance on Standard Locks
A basic pin-and-tumbler lock is fine for most homes, but commercial properties need more than that. Unfortunately, many are still using standard locks that can be picked, bumped, or drilled with basic tools.
These types of locks aren’t designed to stand up to a serious break-in attempt.
Locksmiths frequently replace these with more advanced hardware, like high-security cylinders or restricted key systems. But ideally, they’d be installed from the beginning, before there’s a problem.
No Access Control Strategy
When everyone has a key to everything, you lose control fast. That’s why locksmiths often recommend layered access, where only certain staff can open certain doors.
In a lot of buildings, this simply doesn’t exist. Every employee can get into storage, offices, and private areas—even though they don’t need to.
Locksmiths spend a good chunk of their time helping businesses rethink how their access should work. Sometimes, it’s just about installing different locks. Other times, it’s setting up systems where keys can’t be copied without permission.
Without that structure, all it takes is one bad actor—or one lost key—for things to go sideways.
Faulty Door Closers and Panic Bars
In commercial spaces, it’s not just the locks that matter, it’s the entire door setup.
Panic bars (the push bars you see on emergency exits) are often a legal requirement, but that doesn’t mean they’re working properly. Locksmiths regularly come across:
- Jammed or rusted bars
- Misaligned doors that don’t latch
- Closers that slam or don’t close fully
The result? Doors that either stay open when they shouldn’t or lock people in when they shouldn’t.
These systems aren’t just there for convenience; they’re tied to safety regulations. If they’re not working right, it’s a liability waiting to happen.
Doors That Were Never Meant to Be Secure
Sometimes, the issue goes beyond locks. Locksmiths are often called to secure doors that were never designed for it. Think of internal doors made of lightweight materials or glass doors without proper reinforcements. You can put the strongest lock in the world on them, but if the door itself can be kicked in, it’s not helping much.
This comes up a lot in warehouses, offices, and retail spaces that were retrofitted or converted from older buildings. The layout changes, but the security doesn’t. A locksmith’s job, in these cases, is part detective and part builder, figuring out where the actual weak points are and how to fix them properly.
Forgotten Maintenance
Just like everything else in a building, locks and doors need maintenance. And yet, very few businesses include them in regular check-ups. That leads to small issues turning into big ones; locks seizing up, hinges loosening, and doors sagging. All of which compromise security over time.
Locksmiths don’t just install and repair; a big part of their work is preventative. They’re the ones spotting signs of wear before something fails completely. But they can only do that if someone calls them in time.
So, What’s Being Missed?
If there’s one thing locksmiths see daily, it’s the assumption that “locked” means “secure.” But that’s not always true.
Here’s what gets missed most:
- Relying on one strong front door, while ignoring everything else
- Thinking “old but working” means “still effective”
- Not tracking who has keys—and how many copies exist
- Underestimating how easy it is to pick or force low-quality locks
- Forgetting that even the best lock won’t help on a weak door
Security isn’t about how it looks—it’s about how it holds up when someone actually tries to break in.
Make Security a Habit, Not a Fix
The best commercial security setups aren’t reactive. They’re built on clear routines, solid access control, and hardware that’s been chosen for the job, not just slapped on because it was cheap or available.
Locksmiths can fix the gaps, but it’s always better to avoid them in the first place. Get your setup checked, update what’s outdated, and think through how access works in your building. If something feels a bit off, chances are it probably is.
