By design, the Lock & Key system physically secures a piece of equipment in a manner that eliminates the security risk of a cable cutter. It provides both a physical and visual deterrent to theft. Two additional pieces of equipment can be added to the base system using add-on cables and fastening plates. A typical application is adding a PC monitor to a base system used on a CPU. It is rare when a thief will attempt to steal just a component of a system, rather than a complete working system, so the risk of a monitor being stolen separately from a CPU with cable cutters is minimal. In the case of a laser printer that is a component of a workstation, the printer itself is frequently the intended target, and is worth securing separately with a base system.

A valuable feature of the Lock & Key system is its protection of PC memory boards against theft when securing PC systems. Memory boards are very expensive. They are in high demand and are easily stolen. The memory boards of most PC systems can only be accessed when the shell of the CPU is removed. When locked, the design of the Lock & Key system prevents removal of the CPU shell, thus protecting the internal components against theft.

Cable kits do not provide antitheft protection of memory boards. For this protection, an additional add-on locking device for the CPU (with its own key) must be purchased and installed on the CPU.