While, as in the case of some cars, an emergency key was supplied with the first models with electronic locks, spectacular advances in technology soon made it possible to offer products equipped with totally reliable locks. 

Locks tested in the same ways as the safes themselves

The locks correspond to the safe’s Euronorm class of protection, both against burglary and cyber attacks. To have an idea of the security of these locks, it is worth noting that six digits imply a million possible combinations (although it’s still important to avoid sequences such as 123456, 000000, dates of birth or license plates). Depending on the type of lock, the mechanism automatically blocks five or ten minutes after the third unsuccessful attempt. Similarly, the systems are designed in such a way that it is impossible to cut the wires, bridge, create circuit breakers or use a device that would be blocked after three attempts anyway. 

Almost as many locks as there are manufacturers

Manufacturers equip their safes with the locks of their choice. Working directly with certain manufacturers, Coffres-forts Rondo is able to offer its customers a choice of the best lock brands: Paxos for safes offering Euronorm protection levels four and five or Wittkopp for safes such as the Austrian Wertheim AG BG series. In addition, Rondo is the Swiss representative for Sargent and Greenleaf, an American specialist in combination or electronic locks whose Europe and Middle East headquarters are located in Lausanne. A product that is both different and reassuring in that it is local. 

Special needs, special locks...

Depending on the model, most locks offer three to nine codes, one for each family member or employee of a small company for example. Some locks, which are more intended for companies, offer an optional audit system that can register up to 30 users, with higher or lower levels depending on the hierarchical function of the employee. For each audit, all that is required is to insert a UBS key on the front panel and transfer the data on the latest events to a PC where they can be consulted. This is particularly useful for finding out who has used the safe, at what time and for how long, and is thus especially reliable if the safe contains cash or sensitive data.