Choosing a lock means choosing how well your home or business is protected against break-ins. And that starts with the physical strength of the lock on your door. In the Netherlands, the most recognised way to measure that strength is the SKG certification.
In this article, we break down what SKG is, how the star ratings work, and what those “minutes of burglary resistance” actually mean in real life. You’ll also learn what SKG means for both homes and businesses, and how Bold builds on the SKG*** standard by removing one of the biggest weaknesses of traditional cylinders: the external keyhole.
What is SKG and why it matters
SKG stands for Stichting Kwaliteit Gevelbouw, the independent Dutch institute that tests and certifies door hardware for burglary resistance. When a lock, hinge or security fitting carries the SKG quality mark, it means the product has passed strict tests for strength, durability and resistance to forced entry [1].
For homeowners, this cuts through marketing claims and makes it clear which products actually keep your home secure. For businesses, it helps meet compliance rules and professional safety standards. SKG*** certified hardware is essential for secure living and a must for businesses that rely on strong, controlled access every day.
How SKG testing works
SKG conducts tests as part of SKG IKOB, an independent organisation that evaluates construction and security products. Locks, hinges and protective hardware are exposed to controlled break-in attempts using specific tools, techniques and timings. These tests simulate real-world attack methods; such as prying, drilling, pulling, snapping and applying force with different tool sets. To pass, the hardware must withstand the attack long enough to delay or stop a burglar from getting inside [2].
After testing, each product receives the SKG mark plus a star rating. The number of stars shows how long the hardware resisted and what type of tools were needed to breach it. This star rating is stamped visibly on the hardware, so you can check it at a glance.
The SKG star levels explained
Understanding the SKG rating system helps you choose the right level of protection for your home or business.
SKG* (1 star)
SKG* cylinders can resist simple break-in methods that use light tools such as a screwdriver or a small crowbar. In testing it must delay forced entry for at least 3 minutes. This rating gives basic protection and usually needs to be combined with additional security hardware for reliable resistance.
SKG** (2 stars)
SKG** cylinders can handle heavier tools and more forceful methods than SKG*. They must resist these attempts for at least 3 minutes, even when a burglar applies stronger leverage or uses a more robust toolset. This makes SKG** suitable as an independently burglary resistant option for many residential and small business doors.
SKG*** (3 stars)
SKG*** cylinders are tested against advanced attack methods with heavy tools, including attempts to pull or drill the cylinder. They must withstand these attacks for at least 5 minutes. This is the highest SKG rating and offers the strongest physical protection, giving your property the best possible defence against forced entry.
3 to 5 minutes may sound short, but during a break-in attempt it’s a very long time. Burglars rely on speed and silence, and if a door doesn’t give way almost immediately, most of them give up. That extra delay created by SKG-certified hardware is often enough to prevent a forced entry.
Why SKG*** matters for homeowners and business owners
For homeowners
A secure front door is one of the most important barriers between your home and an attempted break-in. An SKG*** certified lock provides high level resistance against common burglary methods, including pulling, drilling and heavy force. This makes your door far harder to breach, even when a burglar uses advanced tools. This gives you the confidence that your home stays protected, also when you are not there.
For example, many forced entry attempts target weak cylinders or fittings that can be snapped or pulled out in seconds. An SKG*** cylinder protects against exactly these techniques and must resist them for at least 5 minutes. That delay is crucial, since most burglars abandon the attempt if a door does not give way quickly, which means your family, your belongings and your sense of security are far better protected.
This is why homeowners searching for a secure front door lock often choose an SKG rated lock, especially SKG***. It offers reliable, certified protection and gives you the peace of mind that your home remains a safe place, day and night.
For businesses
Businesses face different risks. Offices, storage rooms, retail units, co-working spaces and back entrances all demand heavy duty physical security. An SKG*** certified cylinder supports this need because it provides a higher standard of resistance and often meets insurance and compliance expectations for a secure business entrance.
Consider a shop with a vulnerable rear door, a warehouse with late evening deliveries or an office with valuable equipment. In these scenarios, having a burglary resistant lock with strong forced entry resistance is essential. SKG*** hardware helps prevent break-ins, protects assets and reduces operational risk.
Business owners who want secure access for employees, protect valuable goods or meet industry security requirements are strongly encouraged to choose SKG*** certified hardware, since the highest security rating offers proven protection for commercial environments.
Bold’s security advantage
Bold smart locks are SKG*** certified cylinders, which means they meet the highest officially tested level of burglary resistance. The cylinders are independently tested to withstand advanced break-in tools and techniques for at least 5 minutes. This level of certified protection is often sought by people comparing high security and anti burglary locks for their home or business. Bold (unlike other smart lock brands) takes it a step further by removing the external keyhole entirely. Without a keyhole, common attack methods disappear. There is nothing to pick, bump or pull from the outside, which eliminates the fast and silent techniques many burglars rely on.
Most traditional smart locks simply sit on top of your existing cylinder. If that cylinder has a low SKG rating or an exposed keyhole, the door remains vulnerable to break-ins. Bold solves this by replacing the entire cylinder with an SKG*** rated version and integrating the smart technology into one secure unit, creating a physical burglary resistant lock with smart access control built in. For homes and businesses that need secure access, Bold smart locks with their SKG*** protection are a reliable and safe choice.
Secure protection for every door
Strong door security begins with certified physical protection. SKG certification offers a clear and trusted way to measure how resistant a cylinder or lock is against forced entry. SKG*** rated hardware delivers the highest level of burglary resistance, helping protect homes, shops, offices, storage spaces, co-working environments and every space you deeply care about from common and advanced break-in techniques.
Whether you want to secure your home access or strengthen your business entrance, choosing an SKG rated lock is an investment in long term safety.
And if you want the highest SKG*** protection combined with a modern smart lock experience, Bold offers exactly that. With an SKG*** certified smart lock and no keyhole, Bold brings together strong physical security and simple, smart access control in one solution.
