--- title: The Physical Security Blind Spot in Your Smart Building description: Don't overlook physical keys in your smart building. Learn how electronic key control systems can close your security gap. image: https://blog.keytrak.com/hubfs/Digital%20code%20over%20physical%20key%20concept%20%5B2177484117%5D_featured%20image.jpg --- [![keytrak](https://blog.keytrak.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed-2.png?width=200&height=72&name=unnamed-2.png "keytrak")](https://blog.keytrak.com) - [Blog Home](https://blog.keytrak.com/) - [KeyTrak](https://www.keytrak.com/) - [Solutions](https://www.keytrak.com/solutions) - [Resources](https://www.keytrak.com/resources) - [Company](https://www.keytrak.com/company/about) ![Gold Bar](https://blog.keytrak.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gold%20bar%20(thin).jpg?width=3000&height=17&name=gold%20bar%20(thin).jpg "Gold Bar") ![Translucent blue key with circuit patterns lying on a surface covered with rows of alphanumeric code](https://blog.keytrak.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Digital%20code%20over%20physical%20key%20concept%20%5B2177484117%5D_banner.jpg?width=2000&height=547&name=Digital%20code%20over%20physical%20key%20concept%20%5B2177484117%5D_banner.jpg "Translucent blue key with circuit patterns lying on a surface covered with rows of alphanumeric code") # The Physical Security Blind Spot in Your Smart Building ![author icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/448674/icon%20user-022794-edited.png) By [KeyTrak](https://blog.keytrak.com/author/keytrak) ![tag icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/448674/icon%20tag-085511-edited.png) [audit trail](https://blog.keytrak.com/topic/audit-trail), [smart locks](https://blog.keytrak.com/topic/smart-locks), [Compliance](https://blog.keytrak.com/topic/compliance), [general](https://blog.keytrak.com/topic/general), [security trends](https://blog.keytrak.com/topic/security-trends) The Physical Security Blind Spot in Your Smart Building 4:10 When you arrive at your facility, the doors unlock automatically with the touch of a finger. The lights adjust to your presence, and the thermostat sets the ideal temperature. Your smart building's technology ecosystem makes operations seamless. But there's one critical element you could be overlooking: physical keys. Smart building technology providers promise keyless access, so why should you worry about mechanical keys? Here's why. ## Even Smart Buildings Use Physical Keys Nearly all (90%) of building owners, operators, and managers [have smart capabilities in their facilities](https://www.ashb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HRI_ASHB_Smart-Building-Research_Survey-Executive-Summary_22-Aug2024-V2-2.pdf). But even the most connected facilities still rely on mechanical keys for:  - Access control system backups (when power, network, or lock batteries fail) - Restricted areas (e.g., elevator, generator, or HVAC control rooms)   - Vehicles or equipment stored on-site - Mailboxes or secure cabinets  Keys will always exist in some form for emergencies, compliance, and maintenance. Without a plan for those keys, your smart building has a blind spot, leaving one of its largest security vulnerabilities wide open.  ## Ignoring Physical Key Security Is Risky  In sectors like education, healthcare, and multifamily housing, [traditional keys remain prevalent](https://blog.keytrak.com/20-stats-that-prove-key-control-still-matters-in-every-industry?utm_source=chatgpt.com#:~:text=Traditional%20Keys%20Remain%20Prevalent%C2%A0). In fact, 79% of facilities still use them, even with access control systems in place. However, electronic key management system use declined from 45% to 36% in a year. Without these systems in place, organizations have limited oversight of their physical keys.   That’s troubling when you consider:   - Over [60% of organizations](https://gitnux.org/physical-security-statistics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com#:~:text=been%20cited%20by%3A-,Key%20Highlights,-%E2%80%A2) experienced a physical security breach in the last year. - Physical access was a critical factor in 78% of those breaches.   - For a midsize company, the [average cost of a physical security breach](https://gitnux.org/physical-security-statistics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com#:~:text=been%20cited%20by%3A-,Key%20Highlights,-%E2%80%A2) is $450,000 — roughly [what you’d spend](https://getsafeandsound.com/blog/access-control-systems-cost/#:~:text=with%20most%20commercial%20installations%20averaging%20%242%2C500%20to%20%244%2C300%20per%20door) to install 180 smart locks. - Over [half (52%) of incidents](https://gitnux.org/physical-security-statistics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com#:~:text=been%20cited%20by%3A-,Key%20Highlights,-%E2%80%A2) could have been prevented with better physical security.   If you don’t have a strategy for [managing mixed access control methods](https://blog.keytrak.com/4-tips-to-improve-key-security-in-multitenant-office-buildings#:~:text=Manage%20Mixed%20Access%20Control%20Methods), your facility has a huge security gap.  ## ![The Physical Security Blind Spot in Your Smart Building Blog Graphic (1)](https://blog.keytrak.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Physical%20Security%20Blind%20Spot%20in%20Your%20Smart%20Building%20Blog%20Graphic%20(1).png?width=750&height=192&name=The%20Physical%20Security%20Blind%20Spot%20in%20Your%20Smart%20Building%20Blog%20Graphic%20(1).png) Key Control Is Required for Compliance   About [30% of smart building owners and managers](https://www.ashb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HRI_ASHB_Smart-Building-Research_Survey-Executive-Summary_22-Aug2024-V2-2.pdf) say they’re focusing on compliance. Physical key control plays a big role in your compliance efforts for several reasons:   - Security audits require proof of who accessed sensitive areas and when. If any access points use physical keys, you need to maintain an audit trail. - Certain state laws, security standards, and industry regulations (e.g., [ISO 27001](https://hightable.io/iso-27001-annex-a-7-2-physical-entry/#:~:text=they%20get%20it%3F-,Physical%20Keys,-If%20you%20have), [Miya’s Law](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/898/BillText/er/HTML#:~:text=(b)%E2%80%83Maintain%20a%20log%20accounting%20for%20the%20issuance%20and%20return%0A%20%20%2088%20%20of%20all%20keys%20for%20each%20dwelling%20unit.%0A%20%20%2089%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20(c)%E2%80%83Establish%20policies%20and%20procedures%20for%20the%20issuance%20and%0A%20%20%2090%20%20return%20of%20dwelling%20unit%20keys%20and%20regulating%20the%20storage%20of%2C%20and%0A%20%20%2091%20%20access%20to%2C%20unissued%20keys.)) call for documented key control measures. - Some insurers may require or incentivize verifiable key access tracking.   Incomplete key control records can increase liability, like in these examples:   - A dealership was [held liable for $277,662](https://blog.keytrak.com/2019/01/what-happens-when-you-dont-have.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com#:~:text=Poor%20Audit%20Trail%201%3A%20A%20Dealership%20Goes%20to%20Court) due to poor key control that led to an accident involving one of the dealership’s vehicles. - In a state audit, a [prison was cited](https://blog.keytrak.com/2019/01/what-happens-when-you-dont-have.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com#:~:text=Poor%20Audit%20Trail%202%3A%20A%20Prison%20Is%20Cited%20for%20Key%20Control%20Deficiencies) for inaccurate key inventories and missing log entries.   Even in high-security environments, inconsistent key logs can cause audit failures. This risk only grows in smart facilities, where compliance expectations are higher.  ## Close the Security Gap With Electronic Key Control  [Electronic key control systems](https://www.keytrak.com/solutions) close your key security gap by helping you:  - Create automatic, tamper-proof records for every key. - Enforce check-in/checkout procedures and restrict access by role. - Gain visibility into who has which key and when. - Reduce rekeying costs from misplaced keys. - Simplify audits with searchable access logs.  These systems are a small investment compared to the potential loss from a single breach or compliance fine — even if you only manage a small number of keys.  Smart buildings aren’t keyless buildings. If you ignore the physical keys in your facility, you’re leaving a blind spot in your security strategy. Treat physical keys with the same level of control as your digital access systems. That’s how you make your smart building truly secure.   [![Get More Key Control Tips](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6975698/91c7aef2-b7cd-4561-abf0-4675c01275fb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6975698/91c7aef2-b7cd-4561-abf0-4675c01275fb) SHARE THIS STORY | | [NEXT POST](https://blog.keytrak.com/reasons-your-key-control-process-isnt-working) ## Related posts #### [Key Control Best Practices for Colleges and Universities](https://blog.keytrak.com/2015/02/key-control-best-practices-for-colleges.html) #### [7 Key Control Questions Businesses Should Have Asked This Year — But Didn't](https://blog.keytrak.com/key-control-questions-businesses-should-have-asked-this-year-but-didnt) #### [Bluetooth Trackers vs. Key Control Systems: Which Should You Use to Manage Business Keys?](https://blog.keytrak.com/bluetooth-trackers-vs.-key-control-systems-which-should-you-use-to-manage-business-keys) ![KT_GoldBar](https://blog.keytrak.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KeyTrak/KT_GoldBar.png?width=2000&height=27&name=KT_GoldBar.png "KT_GoldBar") - [Blog Home](https://blog.keytrak.com/) - [KeyTrak](https://www.keytrak.com/) - [Solutions](https://www.keytrak.com/solutions) - [Resources](https://www.keytrak.com/resources) - [Company](https://www.keytrak.com/company/about) Follow Us [Facebook Logo](https://www.facebook.com/KeyTrakSystems)   [Twitter Logo](https://twitter.com/KeyTrak)   [Linkedin Logo](http://www.linkedin.com/company/keytrak)   © 2024 KeyTrak. 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