In our largely digital world, many people believe that traditional filing cabinets have gone the way of the dodo bird. Of course, that’s simply not true. Not all information is solely stored on a hard drive or in the cloud. In fact, quite a few businesses still rely on physical file cabinets for storing their own files and information as well as that of their customers. Many individuals keep their vital documents and other valuables in filing cabinets at home as well.
Plenty of benefits can come from keeping hard copies of documents and vital information. They’re tangible resources that don’t require technology to access. If the power grid fails or the internet goes out, you can still access crucial information if you have it on hand in physical form. Should a hard drive crash and backup digital storage solutions haven’t yet been implemented, hard copies can be invaluable. They’re also perfect for those who simply don’t want to display their documents and details digitally where it’s vulnerable to hackers.
Battling Broken File Cabinet Locks
Having said all that, filing cabinets are known to pose certain problems. Some are unbelievably easy to break into, so physical copies of vital information are still vulnerable to theft. At the same time, file cabinet locks are notorious for breaking or simply not working properly when you need them to. If you find yourself facing such an issue, a sledgehammer and chainsaw, as tempting as those options may be, aren’t the answer. Instead of resorting to such drastic measures, consider hiring a locksmith to help you get back your essential physical files safely and without causing undue damage.
Reasons You May Need File Cabinet Lock Repairs or Replacements
Businesses and individuals alike may require filing cabinet lock repairs or replacements for several reasons. One of the most obvious is having a lock that no longer works with the keys that came with it. If you’ve been using the same file cabinet and keys for years, the keys can wear out. Then, their bittings, or the notches and valleys in their edges, can wear down. When this happens, they may not be able to turn the tumblers in the locks correctly.
The locks themselves may wear out or get gummed up with dust and debris as well. In either situation, locksmiths can repair or replace the welock or create new keys for them depending on the source of the problem. They’ll help you get back to the files you need without having to damage the filing cabinet. Those are only a couple of the scenarios that may necessitate file cabinet lock services.
Improving Security
You may wish to improve the security of your sensitive information by having more advanced locks installed on your filing cabinets. This is an effective way to be proactive against identity theft and fraud. Maybe you’ve recently had an employee leave your company on bad terms and he or she had keys to the filing cabinets but didn’t return them. You might be concerned that the disgruntled former employee may try to gain access to the filing cabinets for malicious purposes.
Having the locks replaced and handing out new keys to the employees who need to get into the filing cabinets can aid in preventing theft and allowing the wrong people to gain access to your sensitive information. It also protects that of your employees and clients. Anytime you need to rethink your access control methods, you can have your filing cabinet locks replaced or upgraded. Locksmiths offer an array of options in this regard.
Lost Keys
For businesses, certain employees are bound to require access to filing cabinets. In the case of home-based file cabinets, multiple people in the household or other relatives and acquaintances may need to access the files and other items within. Still, handing out numerous copies of the keys can be disconcerting. Perhaps you’ve been holding onto the only keys to the file cabinet and simply granting access to those who need it. Now, you realize you’ve lost those keys, and no one can get into the file cabinet.
All hope isn’t lost. A locksmith may be able to use his or her experience and expertise to create a new set of keys for the file cabinet’s lock. It’s also possible to replace the lock altogether and swap over to the new lock’s accompanying keys. Both solutions will allow you to get into the filing cabinet without damaging it.
Damaged Locks
Damaged locks are also common problems with filing cabinets. You may have had to break the lock to get into the filing cabinet in an emergency because you lost the keys. Someone might’ve tried to break into the filing cabinet and broken the lock in the process. It could simply be that the lock is old and worn out. Maybe it sticks or has become difficult to open with a key. On the other hand, the lock may have become loose and is too easy to open even without a key.
In all those cases, a locksmith can repair or replace the lock. Then, the items inside the file cabinet will be secure once again. Additionally, you’ll be able to get inside as needed without leaving sensitive items or information vulnerable to those who shouldn’t have access to them.
Broken Keys
Sometimes, keys break off in locks. It happens with doors, vehicles, padlocks, and filing cabinets as well as in numerous other situations. That may not mean that the lock has to be replaced. Locksmiths may be able to extract the broken portion of the key and save the lock. From there, a new key can be created to replace the broken one. It’s not always possible to extract broken keys, though. In some instances, replacing the lock may be the only option.
Making Sure The Right People Can Access Your File Cabinets and the Wrong Ones Can’t
You may need to contact a locksmith to help with your filing cabinet locks for many reasons. Whether you’ve lost the only key to the lock or handed out several copies of the key and now regret that decision, you can have new keys made or the lock replaced. Improving security and dealing with damaged locks are also common situations people face that require the help of a locksmith. Their professional intervention can help ensure all the right people have access to your sensitive information and valuable items and the wrong ones don’t.
