Managed Intrusion Alarm System to Secure Multi-Location Business

A managed intrusion alarm is a security system to detect unauthorized entry into a building or facility. It typically consists of sensors, such as door contacts, motion detectors, and glass break detectors, which are connected to a central control panel. When an intrusion is detected, the system triggers an alarm and may also send a signal to a monitoring center or security personnel.

The term "managed" implies that the intrusion alarm system is not only installed and maintained by a service provider like Interface but also that the service provider actively manages the system on an ongoing basis. This can include monitoring the system for any alarms or issues, dispatching security personnel in response to alarms, and providing regular maintenance and updates to the system.

An unmonitored intrusion alarm system is a security system that is not connected to a monitoring service. Instead, the alarm is triggered locally, and it relies on the occupants to respond to the alarm and alert the authorities if necessary.

While unmonitored intrusion alarm systems can be less expensive than monitored systems, they do have several disadvantages. Without a monitoring service, there is no guarantee that anyone will respond to the alarm. This can be particularly problematic if the occupants are away from the building (such as during non-business hours) or if the alarm is ignored or mistaken for a false alarm. Additionally, unmonitored systems do not provide any means of remote control, such as arming or disarming the system remotely through a smartphone app or web interface.

Both wireless and hardwired intrusion alarm systems have their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of wireless intrusion alarm systems

• Easier and less expensive to install, since they don't require running wires throughout the building.
• More flexible in terms of where sensors can be placed since they don't need to be located near a wired connection.
• Can be easily expanded or modified as needed.
• Can be controlled remotely through a smartphone app or web interface.
• Generally more reliable and secure than in the past, with advanced encryption and anti-jamming features.

Disadvantages of wireless intrusion alarm systems

• Possibly more vulnerable to interference from other wireless devices, such as Wi-Fi routers or cordless phones.
• Batteries powering the wireless sensors will need to be replaced periodically.
• May have a shorter range than hardwired systems, limiting the distance between the sensors and the control panel.

Advantages of hardwired intrusion alarm systems

• More reliable and less prone to interference or signal loss than wireless systems.
• Typically have a longer lifespan than wireless systems.
• Often have more options for sensors and devices to choose from.
• Can be integrated with other hardwired systems, such as fire alarms or access control.

Disadvantages of hardwired intrusion alarm systems

• Can be more expensive to install, since they require running wires throughout the building.
• May require professional installation, adding to the cost.
• Less flexible in terms of where sensors can be placed since they need to be located near a wired connection.
• Harder to modify or expand once installed.
• Power outages or failures can cause the system to fail.

Alarm Mode	Example
All sensors and devices are activated to detect unauthorized entry	A retail store sets the alarm system to Armed Mode after closing for the night
Disarmed Mode: The alarm system is turned off and sensors and devices are not activated	A restaurant turns off the alarm system during business hours
Stay Mode: Only certain areas of the building are armed while others remain disarmed	A hotel activates Stay Mode in the lobby and public areas during the night while keeping the guest rooms disarmed
Instant Mode: The alarm system is immediately activated when a sensor or device is triggered	A bank uses Instant Mode to ensure an immediate response in the event of an intrusion
Panic Mode: A panic button or remote is used to trigger the alarm system in case of an emergency	A jewelry store uses Panic Mode in the event of a robbery
Test Mode: The alarm system is tested to ensure that all sensors and devices are working correctly	A business runs Test Mode after installing a new sensor to ensure it is functioning properly

Note that the examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and that the specific applications of these alarm modes will vary depending on the needs of each individual business.

Interface business security teams consider several factors when selecting intrusion alarms for multi-location businesses such as retail chains and restaurants. Here are some of the key considerations:

1. Type of Business: The type of business being secured plays a significant role in determining the type of intrusion alarm needed. For example, restaurants may need intrusion alarms to protect against break-ins or theft, but they may also need additional security measures such as temperature monitoring for refrigerators and freezers, fire detection, and water sensors in areas prone to flooding.
2. Location: In multi-site businesses, every location has a different risk profile and the level of security coverage needed may vary.
3. Size of the Business: The size of the business will also determine the type of alarm system needed. A larger business (for example, big box retailers) may require more advanced features such as multiple zones, while a smaller business may only require basic monitoring.
4. Budget: Interface always seeks to balance the need for a high-quality alarm system with the budget constraints of the customer. We avoid the “rip and replace” approach as much as we can.
5. Integration with Other Systems: A business may already have other security systems in place, such as CCTV cameras. Therefore, the intrusion alarm must be compatible with these existing systems for seamless integration.
6. Scalability: A multi-location business requires a scalable alarm system that can be easily expanded to accommodate growth or changes in the business. For example, when a restaurant adds a drive-thru, they may need to install additional alarms to protect the drive-thru area and also integrate the intercom system with alarms and cameras.

We design our intrusion alarm solutions with redundant communication paths that include wired connectivity and cellular backup, monitor the status of the alarm panel connection to our monitoring systems, with the capability to detect panel power outages. We work with our customers to develop robust processes to ensure that all alarm systems managed by our teams remain functional 24X7, 365 days a year.

We define standard operating procedures for all types of events- arming/disarming of alarms, actual alarm events, and responding to system health or outage notifications as part of our proactive support and maintenance programs.

Bandwidth constraints at the location can potentially impact the performance of managed intrusion alarms, particularly if the alarm system relies on network connectivity for remote monitoring or management.

In a managed intrusion alarm system, the sensors and control panel communicate with a central monitoring station or security company over a network connection, such as broadband internet or cellular data. If the location has limited bandwidth, such as a slow internet connection or poor cellular reception, this can result in slower response times, delayed alerts, or missed alarms. Additionally, some managed intrusion alarm systems may rely on video surveillance or remote access control features, which can place a higher demand on the network connection. If the bandwidth is limited, the video feeds may be lower quality or may experience buffering, and remote access control commands may be delayed or unresponsive.

To mitigate the impact of bandwidth constraints on managed intrusion alarm systems, it's important to choose a system that is optimized for low-bandwidth environments, such as one that uses compression algorithms to reduce the amount of data transmitted over the network. Additionally, it may be helpful to prioritize network traffic for the alarm system, to ensure that it receives sufficient bandwidth even during periods of high network usage.

Interface can design an intrusion alarm solution that takes into consideration existing connectivity challenges. We offer alarm solutions that rely on LTE connectivity either as a backup or as a primary connection to completely bypass bandwidth availability issues. Interface has partnerships with leading wireless carriers in North America and can include bandwidth provisioning as a bundled solution.

A false alarm is an activation of an intrusion alarm system that is not caused by an actual security breach or emergency. False alarms can be triggered by a variety of factors, including user error, equipment malfunction, environmental conditions, or even the presence of animals or insects.

When a false alarm occurs, the response will depend on the specific policies and procedures of the alarm system and the monitoring company. In some cases, the alarm system may simply sound an audible alarm for a set period of time and then reset itself automatically. However, in other cases, the monitoring company may attempt to contact the occupant or designated contact person to confirm whether there is an actual emergency. If the contact person cannot be reached or cannot confirm the emergency, the monitoring company may then dispatch local law enforcement or security personnel to investigate the alarm.

False alarms can have several consequences, including:

1. Disturbance to the occupants: False alarms can be disruptive and stressful to occupants, particularly if they occur frequently or at inconvenient times, such as in the middle of the night.
2. Wasted resources: False alarms can result in wasted resources, including time and money spent by law enforcement or security personnel responding to the alarm.
3. Potential fines or penalties: In some jurisdictions, frequent false alarms can result in fines or penalties for the occupant or property owner, to encourage them to take steps to reduce false alarms.

To avoid false alarms, it's important to ensure that the intrusion alarm system is installed and maintained correctly and that all users are trained on how to operate the system correctly. Additionally, it's important to ensure that the system is not triggered by non-security-related factors, such as pets or environmental conditions.

Video verification of alarms can significantly reduce instances of false alarms. Read more about video-verified alarm services.

Most modern alarm systems have features that can alert the designated users or the monitoring center if there is an issue with the control panel or any of the alarm devices. Some common features include:

1. Supervision Signal: Alarm systems can be programmed to send a "supervision" signal to the monitoring center at regular intervals. If the signal is not received, the monitoring center will know that there is an issue with the alarm system.
2. Tamper Detection: Many alarm systems have tamper detection features (also known as “Smash and Crash”) that can alert the users or monitoring center if the control panel is tampered with or if any of the alarm devices are removed or damaged.
3. Fault Monitoring: Some alarm systems have fault monitoring capabilities that can alert the users or monitoring centers if there is an issue with any of the alarm devices or if there is a fault in the wiring.
4. Remote Monitoring: Some modern alarm systems have remote monitoring capabilities, allowing the business owner or monitoring center to monitor the status of the system and receive alerts via a mobile app or web portal.

If the power fails, an intrusion alarm system that relies on just the mains power will typically stop working. However, most modern intrusion alarm systems have backup power supplies, such as batteries, that can keep the system running for a period of time in the event of a power failure.

The backup power supply is designed to provide temporary power to the alarm system until the mains power is restored. The duration of the backup power supply depends on several factors, such as the capacity of the batteries and the amount of power consumed by the alarm system.

It's important to note that backup power supplies are not a permanent solution for power outages. If the power outage lasts for an extended period of time, the backup power supply will eventually run out, and the intrusion alarm system will stop working.

In addition to backup power supplies, some intrusion alarm systems may also have cellular or radio backup communication options that can be used to communicate with the monitoring center even if the power fails. These backup communication options are typically designed to work in conjunction with the backup power supply to provide a more reliable and robust solution in the event of a power failure.

To ensure that the intrusion alarm system continues to function in the event of a power failure, it's important to regularly test the backup power supply and other backup features to ensure that they are functioning correctly.