What is a disadvantage to using a master key system?

What is a disadvantage to using a master key system?

• A. Increases security risk if the master key is exposed
• B. Requires specialized maintenance routines
• C. The cost to re-key all of the locks in the system
• D. Adds unnecessary complexity to access control

Answer: (C)

Master key systems trade convenience for cost. They let one key operate many locks, reducing the number of keys you have to manage, but when access needs to change or a key is lost, you don’t just rekey a single lock—you often have to rekey every lock in the affected portion of the system to invalidate old keys and preserve the hierarchy. That re-keying work across many locks adds up in labor, time, and materials, making it a substantial disadvantage of this approach. While a compromised master key is a real security risk and maintenance can be more involved than for a simple system, the most immediate, tangible downside highlighted here is the cost and effort required to re-key all the locks in the system.

Master key systems trade convenience for cost. They let one key operate many locks, reducing the number of keys you have to manage, but when access needs to change or a key is lost, you don’t just rekey a single lock—you often have to rekey every lock in the affected portion of the system to invalidate old keys and preserve the hierarchy. That re-keying work across many locks adds up in labor, time, and materials, making it a substantial disadvantage of this approach.

While a compromised master key is a real security risk and maintenance can be more involved than for a simple system, the most immediate, tangible downside highlighted here is the cost and effort required to re-key all the locks in the system.