Abstract: A rim cylinder protection unit includes a single flat thick solid hardened steel guard plate counterbored to receive the rim of the cylinder. The cylinder is secured to the plate and prevented from rotation by cooperation with a cylinder retaining plate attached to the backside of the guard plate. The thick solid steel guard plate has heavy mounting studs welded by hardened material to the plate to extend through the door and these studs are protected by hardened steel sleeves to prevent burglars from chiseling through the studs. A replaceable cover conceals the rugged steel guard plate.