What counts as a high security lock?
A standard keyed lock from a hardware store is built to keep an honest person honest. It works, but the pin layout is simple, the key blanks are sold everywhere, and a basic pick or bump key can open many of them. A high security lock is built to resist those specific attacks, and to control who can make copies of the key.
In practice, a high security cylinder usually combines several things. No single feature makes a lock high security. The combination does.
- Pick resistance: tighter manufacturing tolerances and security pins (spool or serrated shapes) that give false feedback to a pick.
- Bump resistance: internal designs that defeat the single-strike method a bump key relies on, such as sidebars, rotating elements or a second locking mechanism.
- Drill and force resistance: hardened inserts around the weak points of the cylinder, so drilling and prying take far longer.
- Restricted keys: key blanks that are not sold over the counter, so a copy cannot be cut at a kiosk or by a neighbor with a machine.
- Better key control: depending on the system, duplicates require authorization from whoever owns the account.
Why do Encino homeowners and building managers ask for them?
Encino is a mix. You have postwar ranch homes, large estate properties, hillside houses behind gates, and a dense line of condo towers and HOA-managed buildings along Ventura Boulevard. Each of those has a different reason to upgrade a cylinder, and we hear a few of them again and again.
One is key sprawl. A condo or rental changes hands, a contractor or a former roommate keeps a key, and nobody is sure how many copies exist. A restricted key system makes that question answerable. Another is a break-in scare nearby that makes people look at the front door and realize the lock has not been changed since the house was built. A third is simply moving into a property and wanting a known starting point.
We also hear from people who have read about bump keys and want to know if they are a real risk. They are real, though not the most common way into a home. We explain what a bump-resistant cylinder does and does not fix, because the lock is only one part of the door.
How does a high security lock job work, step by step?
Whether it is one front door or a whole building, we follow the same order. The sequence matters because a good cylinder on a poorly fitted door is wasted money.
- You call (213) 577-1366. A person answers, any hour, and we ask what the door is, what lock is on it now, and what prompted the call.
- We look at the whole door before we talk hardware: the strike plate, the screws, the frame, the latch and the deadbolt throw. A cylinder is only as strong as what it is mounted in.
- We go over your options in plain terms: a high security cylinder in your existing deadbolt, a complete new high security deadbolt, or a different arrangement for a multi-door property. We tell you which is the lighter-cost option and what you give up by choosing it.
- We install the hardware, check that the bolt throws freely through the full distance, and test the door open and closed several times, including with the door in its normal fit.
- We hand over the keys, explain how restricted copies work for your system, and tell you honestly if anything about the door itself still worries us, such as a weak frame or a short strike screw.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Pick-resistant locks and bump-resistant locks: what is the difference?
The two terms get lumped together, but they describe different attacks. Picking is manipulating the pins one at a time with tools, which takes skill and quiet time. Bumping uses a specially cut key and a sharp strike to jar the pins into position, which takes much less skill. A lock can be tougher against one than the other.
Pick-resistant locks rely on precision and security pins. Bump-resistant locks rely on a design where bouncing the pins is not enough to open the plug, usually because another element has to be set as well. Good high security cylinders address both. When you shop, ask directly about both, not just one.
It is also worth knowing what no cylinder can do. If an intruder kicks the door, spreads a weak frame, or goes through a window, a better cylinder will not stop that. That is why we look at the strike and frame, and why we will sometimes suggest a reinforced strike plate or longer screws alongside the lock. For related work, see our page on deadbolt installation in Encino.
What affects the cost of high security lock installation?
We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the honest answer depends on the door in front of us. Here is what moves the cost up or down, so you can see where an estimate comes from.
High security locks do cost more than standard hardware, and the extra cost buys real features. That said, a full replacement is not always necessary, and we will say so when it is not.
- The lock itself: a high security cylinder for an existing deadbolt is usually the more economical route compared with a complete new high security deadbolt set.
- The security level you want: more attack resistance, patented key profiles and tighter key control all increase the hardware cost.
- Number of doors and how many need to be keyed alike: one front door is a different job than an entry, a side gate, a garage door and a back slider.
- Key quantity and the restricted key system: extra keys and the authorization process for restricted blanks affect both cost and timing.
- Door and frame condition: a warped, swollen or damaged door may need adjustment or repair before a new lock will work properly.
- Timing: after-hours calls involve a technician being dispatched at night, which is part of the cost of 24/7 availability.
- Existing hardware: whether the current lock is a standard size that accepts an upgrade cylinder, or needs to be replaced entirely.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Which Encino properties need high security locks most?
Encino is about 11 miles from our Westwood storefront, and we serve the neighborhood with mobile vans, so the way we approach a job depends on the kind of property. Here is how high security locks tend to fit the ones we see in Encino, whether you are in ZIP 91316 or 91436.
Estate homes in Royal Oaks, Lake Encino and the large-lot Amestoy Estates often have several entry points: a front door, side doors, a pool or garden access, and often a driveway gate with intercom and access-control hardware. Here, high security work is about consistency. It makes little sense to put a pick-resistant cylinder on the front door while a side door still has a builder-grade lock. For gate hardware that has worn or stopped latching, we can look at gate lock repair separately, and if you want keyless entry on top of a high security deadbolt, our smart lock installation page explains how those fit together.
Postwar ranch homes in the Encino Park tract and similar streets north of Ventura Boulevard usually have older original locks that have been rekeyed or replaced once or twice, if at all. Upgrading the front and back deadbolts to a high security cylinder is a common first step. If you only need to change who has keys, rekeying is a separate and usually lighter-cost option, though it does not add pick or bump resistance.
Condo towers and HOA-managed buildings along Ventura Boulevard are a different story. Residents often control their own unit door while the building controls shared doors, and rules vary by association. A high security cylinder on a unit door is something to check against your HOA rules first. We can talk through what you are permitted to change.
Medical and office suites near Encino Hospital Medical Center are another place restricted keys matter, because many different people carry keys to the same suite over time. That is covered further below.
Heat is the local factor that people forget. Encino has hot Valley summers, and hillside homes south of the Boulevard get more direct sun and canyon wind. Doors expand in heat, and gate hardware wears. High security cylinders are built with tight tolerances, so a door that binds in July can make a new lock feel stiff or stop the bolt from throwing fully. We check the door's fit in its normal condition and adjust the strike or alignment if needed, so the lock works smoothly through the season.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366What about commercial security locks in Encino?
Commercial security locks follow the same principles but with a different priority: key control. A suite near the hospital corridor or an office on Ventura Boulevard might have staff, cleaners, building management and former employees who have all held keys. A restricted key system lets the business owner know who can authorize copies, which is the real value, more than the pick resistance on its own.
If you need more than one level of access, such as a master key with individual office keys beneath it, our master key system page covers how that works, and our commercial locksmith page covers the broader business side. If you want to track who enters and when instead of managing physical keys, access control installation is the related service.
This page stays on the cylinders and keys themselves. For door hardware like closers and panic bars, those are separate jobs with their own pages.
Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for high security lock replacement?
We have been in business since 1987, and a lot of what we know about locks comes from seeing how they fail, not just how they are sold. High security locks are a field where honest advice matters, because a customer cannot easily tell a good cylinder from a marketing claim.
- One company, no dispatch middlemen. When you call (213) 577-1366, you reach us, not a national call center that sells your job to whoever is nearby.
- A real storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, plus mobile service vans, so there is an actual place behind the phone number.
- David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. Questions about what is right for your door get answered by someone who has done the job.
- We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round, which matters when a break-in or a lost key makes a lock change urgent rather than planned.
- We serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, so Encino is a normal part of our service area rather than an occasional stop.
- We tell you when you do not need a high security lock. Sometimes a rekey or a stronger strike plate is the right fix.
What should you ask any locksmith before they install a lock?
California requires locksmith companies to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), called an LCO license. Ask any locksmith you are considering for that license number, and check it with the state. This applies to us and to everyone else. A company that will not give you the number is telling you something.
A few other useful questions: What brand and model is the cylinder, and what does its security rating actually cover? Who can authorize extra keys? Will the technician check the door and frame, not just swap the lock? And is the person on the phone with the company, or a dispatcher passing the job on? Straight answers to those save a lot of trouble later.
If you are locked out of a home in the hillside streets off Hayvenhurst Avenue or White Oak Avenue and need to get in before anything else, our house lockout page covers that situation. Upgrading the lock can then be a separate and calmer conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a high security lock and a regular deadbolt?
A regular deadbolt mainly controls how the bolt locks. A high security lock focuses on the cylinder and key: it is designed to resist picking, bumping and drilling, and it usually uses a restricted key that cannot be copied at a typical hardware store. The two can be combined, and often are.
Can you put a high security cylinder in the lock I already have?
Often, yes. Many standard deadbolts accept a replacement cylinder, which is usually the more economical route. It depends on the size and make of the existing lock and the condition of the door. We look at it in person or ask you a few questions on the phone to tell you whether an upgrade cylinder will fit or a full replacement makes more sense.
Are bump-resistant locks really necessary for a home?
Bump keys are a real technique, but most break-ins happen through forced doors, weak frames or unlocked entries. A bump-resistant lock closes one avenue and is worth considering if you want a higher level of protection. It works best alongside a solid door, a reinforced strike plate and good screws.
Can a high security key be copied?
It depends on the system. Restricted key systems limit duplication to authorized people, and blanks are not sold over the counter. That means copies can take more time and paperwork than a normal key. If you need extra keys, tell us how many when you call so we can plan around it.
How much does high security lock installation cost in Encino?
We do not quote prices on the website because the cost depends on the lock, the security level, how many doors, how many keys and the condition of the door. Call (213) 577-1366 and describe your setup, and we can tell you what will affect the cost and where the lighter-cost options are.
Do you handle high security locks for condos along Ventura Boulevard?
Yes, though condo and HOA rules vary. Some associations control the cylinders on unit doors or require a specific key system, so check with your building before changing anything. We can talk through what is usually allowed and what to ask your management.
Will a high security lock work with my driveway gate or smart lock?
They are separate pieces of hardware, but they can work together. A high security deadbolt can sit on the same door as a smart lock, and gate latches can be serviced on their own. We look at what you already have so the pieces do not conflict.
Do you offer high security locks for offices and medical suites?
Yes. For suites with many keyholders, restricted keys and key control are often the main reason to upgrade. We can also set up a master key arrangement if different people need different levels of access.
Can you come out at night to replace a lock after a break-in?
Yes. Our phone line, (213) 577-1366, is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year. After a break-in, we can secure the door and talk through a longer-term high security upgrade when you are ready.
More locksmith help in Encino
High Security Locks near Encino
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.