Are DIY systems like SimpliSafe the future of electronic security?

As a complete newbie in the electronic security industry, I’m extremely curious when I see news about emerging, high-tech security companies. Startups like SimpliSafe, for instance, claim to be on the verge of disrupting the security industry as we know it. They’re offering electronic security solutions that allow facility owners or managers to monitor their own systems through their person computer or phone.

What does this mean for the future of electronic security? Are do-it-yourself options really better? What will be the best type of system moving forward?

The Advantage of DIY systems

No one cares as much as you.

The business monitoring your facilities wants to keep your business, it’s true. We want to keep all our customers and continue to expand. We don’t want you to lose anything because when you lose, we lose. But no one cares as much as you.

No matter how much we guarantee to secure your system, no one feels a loss like you. As a result, DIY systems can be good because they put the responsibility for security on the person (or team) who’s naturally most committed to securing the facilities.

There are other considerations, like costs and so on, but the biggest question to ask is, who do I want monitoring my facilities?

The Disadvantage of DIY systems

No one has time and very few have expertise in security. No matter how much an owner cares about the business, no one wants to sit in front of a screen 24/7 to make sure no one’s messing with anything. And even if it was possible to watch for trouble all day, it still doesn’t make that person an expert.

It’s one thing to see an alarm and make a decision about whether or not to call for help. It’s another build a relationship with law enforcement officers and fire departments to the point where they dispatch immediately when you call.

Why I’m optimistic about Sonitrol and the future of electronic security

As I got to thinking about this, I realized that Sonitrol is in a unique position, regardless of how the future turns out.

For one thing, we’re in the security business. We’ll adapt to the latest technology. If there’s a better way to secure facilities electronically, we’ll jump on it. We’re not so stubborn that we’d stick with out-dated technology simply because that’s what we’ve always done in the past.

For another, though, rather than try to guess about the future, Sonitrol of Louisville offers both. Our integrated technology allows us to provide professional, 24/7 monitoring service for companies at low costs while also giving them the tools to monitor what we see along with us. We think this transparency creates the best security experience overall. Owners and managers can rest easily at night knowing that…

1. They can access the alarm feeds remotely anytime they want from anywhere with an Internet connection, but they don’t necessarily need to because…
2. Professionals are monitoring their facilities constantly.

It’s true that Sonitrol leans more toward professionally monitored services. Historically, that’s what our customers have preferred. Whatever works best is what we offer.

At the end of the day, the future is unclear, like the photo up there. What is clear is that companies like Sonitrol of Louisville will continue to innovate to keep up with security demands. If that means moving more toward a DIY model, fine. If it means continuing to monitor for our customers, that’s fine too. Or we can do both, the way we do now.

We’re good either way, and with us, so are you.