Bank vault
A heavily secured room or chamber in a bank that protects cash, valuables, and records from theft, fire, and other hazards.
Vault door: A massive, reinforced door designed to secure an opening into a vault. It forms the main physical barrier and controls entry to the chamber.
Physical security: Measures that protect people, property, and assets from physical threats. A vault is a concentrated form of physical security for a bank’s most protected assets.
Bank safe-deposit box: A secure container rented by a bank to a customer for storing personal valuables and documents. Safe-deposit boxes are stored inside protected vault areas in many banks.
Bank safe: A secure, usually freestanding container used to protect valuables from theft or damage. Unlike a room-sized vault, a safe is a self-contained storage unit.
Time lock: A lock that prevents opening until a preset time or interval has elapsed. It can restrict access even when someone possesses the correct combination.
Access control: Methods for deciding who may enter a place or use a system. Banks limit vault access through permissions, credentials, and procedures.
Cash handling: The processes for receiving, counting, storing, and distributing physical currency. Vaults provide secure storage for cash awaiting processing or distribution.
Strongroom: A strongly secured room used to store valuables, records, or sensitive materials. The term overlaps with bank vault but also describes secure rooms outside banks.
Combination lock: A lock opened by entering a prescribed sequence of numbers or symbols. It provides controlled access without requiring a conventional key.
Security vestibule: A controlled entry space with two or more doors that restrict passage. A vestibule can create an additional checkpoint before the vault area.