Why Brevard County Homeowners and Businesses Are Upgrading to High-Security Locks

Most homes and businesses in Brevard County are secured with standard Grade 2 or Grade 3 deadbolts — the kind you’ll find at any hardware store for $20 to $50. They’re adequate for keeping an honest person honest. But they’re not adequate against someone who actually knows how to defeat a lock. And the reality is that most residential and commercial break-ins don’t involve kicking a door down — they involve bypassing the lock.

Two lock brands consistently stand apart from everything else in the security industry: Mul-T-Lock and Medeco. If you’re serious about protecting your home, business, or rental property in Brevard County, here’s what makes these locks worth understanding.

What Makes a Lock “High Security”?

A standard deadbolt has three vulnerabilities that a determined person can exploit: it can be picked, it can be bumped, and its key can be copied at any hardware store without authorization. High-security locks address all three.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grades locks on a scale of 1 to 3, with Grade 1 being the highest. Most hardware store locks are Grade 2 or 3. True high-security locks like Mul-T-Lock and Medeco go beyond Grade 1 — they carry independent certifications for pick resistance, drill resistance, and key control that standard grading doesn’t even test for.

Mul-T-Lock: Pin-Within-a-Pin Technology

Mul-T-Lock uses a patented telescopic pin tumbler system — a pin within a pin — that creates an additional locking element inside each pin stack. This design makes the lock extremely difficult to pick because a standard pick set can’t manipulate both the inner and outer pin simultaneously. Combined with anti-rotation elements that prevent lock picking tools from getting purchase, a Mul-T-Lock cylinder defeats the vast majority of picking and bumping attempts that would open a standard deadbolt in seconds.

Mul-T-Lock keys are also patented and can only be duplicated by an authorized dealer with proof of ownership. There is no walking into a hardware store and getting a Mul-T-Lock key copied. This key control means you always know exactly how many keys exist and who has them — critical for rental properties, offices, and any property with staff turnover.

Medeco: The American High-Security Standard

Medeco has been manufactured in the United States since 1968 and is widely regarded as one of the most secure lock cylinders available. Medeco uses a combination of key bitting angles and rotating pins that must align in three dimensions — vertically, rotationally, and laterally — for the lock to open. This makes Medeco cylinders extraordinarily resistant to picking, as picking tools cannot replicate the three-dimensional alignment required.

Like Mul-T-Lock, Medeco keys are protected by patent and can only be duplicated through an authorized Medeco dealer with a registered key card. Medeco cylinders are also UL Listed for pick and drill resistance — an independent third-party certification, not just a manufacturer claim.

Who Should Consider Upgrading?

High-security locks make the most sense for:

• Rental property owners — Key control means former tenants cannot copy keys and return after move-out. Rekeying is also less expensive long-term than replacing standard hardware repeatedly.
• Small businesses — Any business with employees who have key access benefits from a system where unauthorized copying is impossible. When an employee leaves, rekeying a Mul-T-Lock or Medeco cylinder is straightforward without replacing the entire lockset.
• Home offices and high-value residences — Homeowners with safes, firearms, art, jewelry, or home office equipment worth protecting benefit from a front door that can’t be picked or bumped open.
• HOA common areas and amenity buildings — Key control prevents unauthorized key duplication among residents and contractors.

What Does It Cost?

Mul-T-Lock and Medeco deadbolts typically run $150 to $300 for the hardware, plus installation. That’s significantly more than a hardware store lock — but compared to the cost of a break-in, a burglary claim, or the liability of unauthorized key access in a commercial property, the math changes quickly. These locks are a one-time investment that holds its value for the life of the door.

Key-En-Lock is an authorized installer of Mul-T-Lock and Medeco hardware throughout Brevard County. We supply, install, and rekey both systems and can advise on which is the right fit for your specific application. Call (321) 224-5625 or visit keyenlock.com for more information.

Patrick Keeney is the owner of Key-En-Lock, a licensed mobile locksmith serving all of Brevard County since 1999. Key-En-Lock specializes in residential and commercial locksmith services, high-security lock installation, automotive key programming, and PDK.io cloud access control.

Key-En-Lock Team

Brevard County's Trusted Locksmith

Providing expert locksmith tips and security advice for Brevard County residents. With over 25 years of experience, we help keep your home, business, and vehicle secure.