What Is Keyholding? Where the Keys Are Stored?

Keyholding refers to a security service provided by a company or individual that holds and manages keys for homeowners, businesses, and companies. Doing this provides businesses, property owners, or individuals with a secure and reliable way to manage their keys.

You might perceive this service as just a way to keep the keys safe, as the name suggests, but it is more than that. Its scope extends towards reducing the risk of burglaries, fire, and other security incidents. But how? Well, be with me in this thorough guide to learn everything.

How Does Keyholding Work?

In some small businesses, a designated employee, often a manager, holds the keys and responds to emergencies when the alarm goes off, regardless of the time.

However, this only works for small, safe locations—larger companies in busy urban or industrial areas need a more robust solution. A professional keyholding service delivered by a security firm is the answer.

They bear the accountability of being the first responders. They securely store your keys at their centre of operations and use them to access your premises during emergencies.

This way, you won't have to rely on your staff to respond at odd hours – instead, trained security professionals handle the situation, even if it's at 4 in the morning.

Why Hiring Professional Keyholders?

Having a staff member handle false alarms is convenient, but what if the alarm is real? Only a security professional will know how to handle the situation and can even take necessary actions to protect your property and yourself.

So, it's much better for your business to rely on a security professional for this responsibility after alerting the police. They have the expertise and training to handle emergencies effectively, ensuring the safety of your premises and everyone involved.

What Is an Outsourced Keyholding Service?

An outsourced keyholding service means that instead of handling keyholding duties internally, you hire an external security company to take care of them. This external company will perform all the tasks that an internal keyholder would typically do, such as unlocking and locking your premises when needed.

Additionally, they will respond to your alarm if it gets triggered, ensuring a quick and professional response to any security issues. This way, you can rely on the expertise and efficiency of the external security company to manage your keys and handle emergencies effectively.

What Are the Advantages of Keyholding?

Keyholding offers numerous advantages that can significantly enhance the security and efficiency of your business.

Comprehensive Site Assessment

When you contract with a professional keyholding service, they conduct an initial site survey to understand your premises thoroughly. Through their experience, they can identify security weaknesses that might have gone unnoticed, allowing you to address these issues proactively and prevent potential security breaches.

Immediate Alarm Response

With a professional keyholding service, a dedicated control room is alerted as soon as your intruder alarm is activated. Trained security personnel are available 24/7, ensuring swift response times compared to relying on a regular 9-5 employee who might be off-duty or away from the premises.

Expert and Effective Response

Professional keyholders are well-trained to address many situations effectively. They know exactly what to do in emergencies, providing a reliable response regardless of the circumstances. This expertise cannot be guaranteed if keyholding responsibilities are left in-house with multiple keyholders who may not communicate well with each other.

Post-Emergency Security Assurance

After responding to an emergency, the keyholders remain on-site to ensure there are no further immediate risks. They thoroughly evaluate the situation and provide you with a thorough report of their findings. This leaves your employees and you with peace of mind for the future working day and the near future.

Employee Well-being and Productivity

If your staff members are forced to respond to emergencies during odd hours, it disrupts their sleep and can decrease productivity and morale the following day. Hiring professional keyholders ensures your employees' well-being is not compromised, as security experts handle these situations, minimising risks of injury or trauma.

Where Companies Keep the Keys?

The keys' security is paramount. Therefore, the company you hire for the keyholding service keep the keys in a secure location, such as a safe or a security vault. The location of the keys is kept confidential, and only authorised personnel have access to them.