Commercial fire alarm system

Alarm Monitoring

Alarm monitoring is about who is watching your business or home when it has a security system. Security alarm monitoring also includes how it is protected. Who is watching your security system? It is often one of three possibilities: a central monitoring station, your security provider, or yourself.  Professional monitoring is the eyes and ears behind the scenes.

Professional Monitoring 101

There are five general security alarm monitoring methods and five standard practices. The interconnectivity of these services makes a complete system that functions seamlessly together. Monitoring often is the layer of security essential to 24/7 security protection.

Five general alarm monitoring methods

A motion sensor detects movement and sounds an alert or alarm. Motion detectors integrated into video camera surveillance use smart technology to differentiate nonthreatening movement from any motion detected. Home security frequently uses basic motion detection sensors. Commercial security often requires motion detection with artificial intelligence.

Audio sensors pick up sounds and interpret if a threat exists. Audio sensors are most often used in areas that video surveillance is not authorized, such as bathrooms.

A security camera records or plays a live video feed. You may record or physically monitor via a CCTV connection. Security often combines both. Video surveillance usually works with motion detection and audio surveillance for commercial-level security defense.

A temperature-sensitive device triggers alerts or alarms when the room temperature exceeds the controlled temperature allowance. Often the medical and food industries use such sensors.

This system regularly checks the air quality. If the air quality falls below standards, then authorities are contacted. Typical fire alarm monitoring uses smoke detection. Yet, the device further detects foreign particles in the air for protection from chemical spills, carbon monoxide, and other dangerous airborne toxins. Fire protection uses smoke and vapor alarms most frequently. Yet, other industries such as chemical and gas companies also require such professional monitoring methods.

Five standard alarm monitoring practices

Live feed allows a person to sit behind a monitor screen physically. That person watches the activity going on inside the secure area as it is happening. The viewing may be on location in a security room or office, or off-site in a 24/7 monitoring center. Live feed is often recorded for video proof if an incident occurs. Encrypted video management software keeps the network video recording secure from unauthorized viewers.

Audio sensors pick up sounds and interpret if a threat exists. Audio sensors are most often used in areas that video surveillance is not authorized, such as bathrooms.

A third-party monitoring company does the alarm monitoring. Active alerts trigger messages to a 24/7 monitoring center that looks in to see what’s going on. In the case of a tripped alarm, security customer service receives an alert from your alarm system. The viewer contacts whoever is best to handle the situation based on the threat level. A monitoring service ensures a consistent 24/7 security watch.

Audio sensors pick up sounds and send alerts. Detected noise opens a two-way communication, so the monitoring center hears what is happening. On the other hand, the system may set triggers to perform automatic actions on specified sounds. In the first scenario, the alarm company would listen in for threat level sounds such as breaking glass, screams, excessive rustling, or other suspicious noises. In the second situation, these specific noises trigger actions. For example, sensors detecting a gunshot can automatically lock down a building.

Wireless alarm monitoring technology allows businesses and homeowners to access their security camera’s video. Here they may view it from any smart device. This technology has put more control into owners’ hands. If a tripped alarm is false, the customer may manually turn off the alarm from afar via a phone security app. This technology helps cut down on false alarms. Furthermore, owners may also view activity whenever needed. This feature comes in handy for business owners who want to check in on employee productivity or homeowners who wish to check up on children, teens, or sitters.

Business Monitoring

Alarm monitoring for business improves the safety of your business assets, employees, and physical building location. It also plays a part in protecting business owners from crime, theft, liability, and policy violations. Did you know that 50% of convicted criminals report that they’ll stop the attempt if they discover a security system during a burglary? Additionally, 31% admit typically committing commercial burglaries. Security systems have many benefits. An added benefit a business may see is stored data that supports an incident. Security systems often deter crime before it occurs and reduce possible risk. Likewise, recorded employees are far less likely to engage in criminal, violent, destructive, or unsafe behavior knowing they’re on camera. A recorded video helps HR determine responsibility in cases involving harassment, workplace violence, and safety accidents. In such cases, the legal department may access video to protect the company against fraudulent claims, fight liability, or protect against wrongful terminations. Similarly, HR may view and monitor employee productivity.

What is the difference between a monitored and unmonitored security system?

Monitored security systems are interactive monitoring. This system allows you, or a security monitor, to actively view and notify the police of an emergency as the situation is currently in progress.Conversely, unmonitored security systems allow you to review a past event from the recorded feed. We use unmonitored systems to help support police or authorities after the crime. It’s best to base the effectiveness of the alarm monitoring system on your industry threats. Some businesses do not require immediate action. The way to determine which method your business calls for is understanding what response best handles a security breach. Ask yourself if it is life-threatening and requires police immediately or if you can report and address the crime after the fact.

Did you know that every 40 seconds, a child goes missing or is abducted in the United States?

Residential Monitoring

Home security often includes residential monitoring of some kind. Monitoring your home is critical, and when you have children, it’s practically indispensable. There are many smart home security options for homeowners. Home security monitoring provides peace of mind while you’re away and in an emergency. Home security has a control panel connected to a central station. So, whether it reports to a monitoring center or the alarm company, security professionals are on hand and ready to help instantaneously. An activated alarm sends an alert to your provider, who can contact emergency services to send help. Many home security alarms have a false alarm monitoring feature to verify the initial signal before dispatching police or emergency personnel. You may also add home automation features to your home security system or choose to heighten personal home security. Wireless video access is a popular feature for smart homes to utilize home automation features such as wireless light control or temperature controls.

Surveillance footage is stored and recorded with a digital video recorder. We supply many options for recording footage and how much storage your industry requires. Recorded video can be held for as few as an hour or stored for a specified time, up to years. Today’s video recording requires a tremendous amount of storage. Technology has allowed us to be very creative in helping you maximize your storage investment. We have multiple solutions for all industries. CCTV Systems can include a backup solution through network solutions or hardwired backup. The video clips may be available instantaneously through CCTV or for later viewing. Yet, each will be through protected access. Additionally, some industries may call for a rechargeable battery backup. No problem, we supply battery options also. Storage options come in both on-site and off-site options. Also, security protocols protect against cyberattacks as well as in-house manipulation. Access control features prevent unauthorized employees from entering the system or viewing recorded data.

Yes, homeowners can choose to “self-monitor” their home security system. A self-monitored system usually refers to a security system that sends notifications to the homeowner rather than the security provider. A tripped security sensor sends text alerts via a smartphone to the owner’s phone. The homeowner then may deactivate the alert or contact authorities. The elderly also use self-monitoring by having the alerts go to family or nearby help. Nurse call and life alerts are also popular features for older customers.

Alarm systems provide peace of mind.

Count on IMS Technology & Security to find the perfect solution to meet your budget and needs.

Security alarm monitoring is important to your business security or home security for overall security as well as peace of mind. The ultimate definition of monitored security is nothing short of 24/7 peace of mind. Security options have continued to become more affordable throughout the years. As our society continues to rise in violence and social unrest, knowing our family is protected is one step toward making this a secure community. With alarm monitoring, proper security is one less thing for our hectic lives to be concerned over. Feel the freedom to look in on your business or loved ones.

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Your onsite security assessment

An onsite assessment helps us identify gaps in your security holes and develop a specifically tailored security system for your company. We design a security system that meets your convenience, pricing, necessary security protocols, system operations, and data storage standards. We work closely with you to find the perfect solution to any security problem. Whether you’re starting from scratch or integrating into a partial system that needs upgrades, we see the best mdm can provide the right solution for your needs.