| An electronic
safe is one that uses an electronic locking mechanism
rather than a purely mechanical one. An electronic safe
is quicker and more convenient to open than a regular mechanical
one. It offers both security and convenience. There are
basically two types of locking mechanisms that are available
on an electronic safe - electronic keypad and biometric.
An electronic keypad locking mechanism presents the user
with a familiar electronic "pin" pad for entering
the combination to the safe. The user simply enters the
combination on this "pin" pad, in much the same
way as when using a debit card or ATM machine. The safe
will only open in response to a valid combination being
entered. Multiple pin numbers can be specified, enabling
you to grant access to the safe to more than one person.
The second type of electronic safe, the biometric safe,
uses a fingerprint scanner as the locking mechanism for
the safe. To open the safe, the user simply places their
index finger on the scanner, which uses a laser to scan
the fingerprint, granting access if the fingerprint is a
match. The fingerprint scanner works on the same principle
as bar-code scanners commonly used in grocery stores. Multiple
users can be granted access to the safe simply by placing
the scanner in "enrolment mode" and scanning their
fingerprints. Biometric safes are the most secure type of
safe available today, because the person requiring access
must be physically present to scan their fingerprint - it
is not possible for a discovered pin or combination number
to be used to open the safe.
Another factor to consider when choosing an electronic
safe is what will be stored in the safe. If you only need
to store documents and jewellery, then a standard safe will
suffice. If you need to store and protect electronic media
such as backup tapes, CDs or DVDs, then a special media
safe is required. If you need to store rifles or shotguns,
then you will need a special gun safe, mainly due to interior
space requirements.
You will also need to determine the type and amount of
security you would like the safe to provide. This can be
determined from the various ratings that are assigned by
safe manufacturers. First is the security rating of the
safe, which tells how difficult it is to "break into"
the safe. Second is the fire rating of the safe. There are
two major standards used for the fire rating of an electronic
safe - One, the 350 degree F rating, is designed for documents.
The other, the 125 degree F rating, is for computer and
electronic media. Both of these ratings, specified in number
of hours, give the amount of time that the safe can withstand
a 1700 degree F fire without the temperature inside rising
above the specified amount - 350 degrees F for documents
and 125 degrees F for electronic media. An electronic safe
designed for media storage also provides protection from
high humidity, dust, and electromagnetic fields, and electrostatic
discharge.
One last factor to consider when choosing an electronic
safe is the amount and arrangement of storage that you require.
This will determine the overall size and shape of the safe.
Make sure to choose a safe that offers a bit more room for
storage than you actually need, so you're not faced with
replacing when you need to store a few more items.
As you can see, there are a number of considerations to
be made when choosing an electronic
safe. Keeping all of these factors in mind help
in choosing a safe that is right for your needs.
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