The difference Sonitrol offers is verified, electronic security. But what does that mean?
How is verified security different from other types of security? And how can verified security help you better than unverified security?
In this post, I’d like to answer those questions. Let’s take them one at a time.
What does “verified security” mean?
Verified security means that the security system promises to verifies alarms before sending them to the police or fire department.
Police and fire departments get false alarm calls all day. Sometimes, they find out that the alarms are false before dispatching. Other times, they go all the way out to the location before realizing the mistake.
Verified security means the system only calls for real alarms.
In the past, this kind of service has been limited to security personnel. Machines have had trouble verifying alarms. Sonitrol’s technology now, though, combined with the professional monitoring services we provide, enables us to set up security systems that are verified. In other words, our electronic systems only call for real alarms.
How is verified security different?
There are three kinds of security:
1. systems that do not verify
2. systems that do verify
3. systems that identify
Systems that do not verify might simply include some motion sensors, a few magnets for doors, and a line that sounds an alarm when those devices get tripped. These are the typical ADT style systems many people install in their homes. These systems are inexpensive, easy to install, and don’t require much, if any, monitoring. The trouble of course is that they cry wolf a lot and don’t necessarily catch anyone when a true alarm should go off. For commercial purposes, these by themselves are rarely the best option.
Systems that do verify often include the same types of devices as those that do not verify. The difference is that systems that verify also add other devices like video cameras or Sonitrol’s patented audio sensors. These types of devices activate once one of the more traditional devices triggers an alarm. And all of the devices are monitored by a team of professionals, usually at a central station. When an alarm is triggered, the monitors at the central station can check the video or audio devices to see or hear for sure whether the alarm is legitimate.
Finally, systems that identify include all the same types of devices, perhaps adding on-sight, security guards. The difference with identification is simply the level of technology and the amount of devices. Instead of having one camera to cover an entire parking lot to see if an intruder visits in the middle of the night, a system that tries to identify these suspects might have multiple other cameras positioned around the parking lot in an attempt to catch a license plate number or a face.
Identifying intruders is far more difficult than verifying them. Even with the best systems, identification is never guaranteed. We all wish that every alarm would also tell us who the person was, but the reality is that it’s always a matter of trade offs. More security means a higher chance of identifying intruders, but it also means more costs and less privacy.
How can verified security help you?
Verified, electronic security sits in that space between unverified security and identifying security. It’s cost effective. It keeps you from spending you an extra 90% on costs for only 10% more results. Verified security can prevents the bulk of the security problems your facilities might encounter without sending false alarms.
Zero false alarms means no false alarm fees, money that can quickly add up.
Zero false alarms also means the police and fire departments are more likely to dispatch immediately when they receive a call from you because they know you’re calling for a good reason. When these teams dispatch quickly, there’s a much higher chance of them apprehending criminals in the act or saving your facilities from drastic fire damage.
It’s like one police officer said, “Whenever dispatch mentions Sonitrol hearing something, everybody goes to those calls.” That’s what verified security is all about: making the right call as fast as possible.
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