Security System Pitfalls
Obtaining and maintaining a reliable security system requires expertise and knowledge in security. This article demonstrates exactly why it is so important to work with an experienced security company while making decisions that could potentially save your life.
Security incidents can be brutal, they can cost a fortune and even human lives. Installing security systems to encounter potential security threats seems like a solution but like most other systems, current security systems do have common shortcomings associated with them. These shortcomings range from price to installation and from performance to maintenance of these systems.
The following are the common pitfalls associated with current security systems:
1. Expensive Hardware
Despite the widespread adoption and growing numbers of installations across the globe, prices of security systems are still not very affordable. Expensive hardware is what most buyers notice during their first encounter with security system. Variation in pricing is also huge. Some DIY home security alarming systems offer starting prices as little as $50, however these products will have comparatively lower quality when it comes to performance and durability. They may require more frequent maintenance calls than high quality security systems. However, high quality security systems will not be cheap. Advertisements of home security systems often show starting price to be surprisingly low, however, pricing can also be tricky. Price of some very basic, systems is kept very low just to publish it with the advertisements. This basic low-price system will not serve much purpose and will be largely inadequate for an efficient security implementation. Actual systems that will be able to serve your purpose can be way more expensive than the advertised starting price.
2. Total Cost of Ownership
The cost of ownership will again be way more than purchase price, which will include maintenance charges, monitoring subscription fee if it is a monitored system, price of parts, battery replacement cost, contract termination fee, etc. Sometimes a system, claimed as DIY install equipment, may not actually be the one, despite the claim, on the other hand, some customers may not be able to install it even if it is a Do It Yourself type of equipment. For example, in case of elderly or challenged people, DIY is of not much use, they will require external help to install it. If the security system is a monitored one, you may have to pay monthly monitoring subscription fee that may range from $150 to $1,500 per year.
3. No Guaranteed Threat Prevention
Installing a security system is not a guarantee of protection from the potential threats or occurrence of the security incidents. Criminals have also become smarter and they are aware that security systems are commonly found in homes and business these days. They come prepared. They already know the common locations these systems are installed at and know the methods to disarm them. Sometimes even security equipment gets stolen. Security systems like surveillance cameras will only record the incident and cannot do anything to prevent it. Sometimes intensity of the incident will cause security system to fail, for example a fire security system will fail if fire is breaking out due an explosion or huge volume of highly inflammable material. Same way an armed robbery, in which people are taken hostage, will expose people to threat when they start searching for the reason of security alarm.
4. False Alarms
This is where security systems’ promise of ‘peace of mind’ gets broken. Siren of your home security systems breaks up in the midnight and wakes your entire family up, only to find out that it was a false alarm caused by your beloved cat or an unknown reason. Security systems make use of available technologies like sensors to detect motions and sense environment. False triggers are one of the major shortcomings of current security systems. Same frequency interference is also a fatal weakness of wireless alarm systems. The whole system will be disable, if you press any of button of wireless key fob to emit the same frequency, it will cause the alarm to not to receive the signal from triggered wireless detector. Some of manufacturers adopt interference identify alarm method to conquer this problem. Motion detection alarm systems only recognize movements, they sometime trigger in case of pets as well, if pet jumps above their threshold height. Nobody would appreciate a noisy siren in the midnight, especially after spending money on an expensive security system. Repetitive false triggers also make people less reactive when a real incident takes place.
5. Maintenance
Maintenance not only increases the cost of ownership, it can leave home unsecured if equipment had to be uninstalled to fix it. Maintenance may cost more if a security system is being used beyond its recommended limits, for example, in extreme environments.
6. Failure to Sense Precisely
Security system like motion sensors cover specified area, if area is bigger than the sensor coverage, or the sensors are not properly installed to cover the area, it may leave some insecure patches. Some constructions designs may require more sensors while installing lesser number of sensors will leave some area insecure.
7. Wired v. Wireless
Hardwired systems are considered more reliable than their wireless counterparts, however, wireless systems offer more flexibility and can be installed at the places where wired systems cannot be. A fully wireless system uses individual sensors throughout the home which communicate wirelessly to the central control panel, typically using radio frequency technology. The chief potential drawback of wireless is reliability. Just like Wi-Fi routers or cell phones, wireless security systems are subject to various types of interference which can cause your sensor to fail to respond, or to respond unpredictably (such as triggering a false alarm). While it is possible for these things to happen, these instances are rare. Electromagnetic interference can come from many other devices, including baby monitors, remote controls, power lines, microwave ovens and fluorescent lighting. Structural interference comes from walls, floors, ceilings, or things like metal filing cabinets.
8. Electricity Dependent
Each wireless sensor contains its own battery, which supplies power in case of a power outage. Inadequate battery performance in case of power outage can put home security at risk.
9. Security System Protection
If security of wireless systems is not properly configured and enforced, they can be accessed by outsiders. It has become a threat with the inception of IoT or smart home security systems, in which this equipment can be accessed and control via the internet. A loophole can compromise security systems and eventually security of your home or business. Radio frequency interference is also one of the weaknesses for a wireless alarm system. It can disable the whole system, if some other equipment emits the same frequency as the security equipment. It will cause the alarm systems to not to receive the wireless signal from triggered wireless detector. In another scenario, signal interference can also trigger alarms as alarming system can take this signal for intrusion.
10. Proprietary Hardware
Each home security monitoring company requires you to utilize their specific hardware. It has been designed and programmed to work with their systems properly. Most offer varying types of security hardware, including window and door sensors, motion detectors and video cameras. This hinders competition and induces monopoly and due to monopoly, prices cannot stay competitive.
Security systems carry the responsibility of protecting property and possessions and problems or inadequacies in these systems can make them unreliable for the job. As the world is increasingly getting dependent on technology, implementation of technology powered security systems has also gained momentum. Now with the rise of IoT and smart devices, smart security solutions are also penetrating market and attracting customers.
Bottom Line
Security is a relative term and no efforts can ensure 100% security, locks are picked, keys are duplicated and passwords are guessed, even surveillance cameras that are installed as a security measure, get hacked and stolen. Despite all efforts, security threats are getting more intense, technologically advanced, and brutal. People behind these malicious motives are increasingly using technology to hack through the layers of security, let it be the physical or the logical security. Threats from the cyberspace are also setting new records of hacking and data breaches. Time has never been more challenging for both physical and online safety as well as data security.
Regardless of the known pitfalls of security systems, they will continue to be implemented by individuals and businesses alike because that is the only way forward. Increasing adoption rate will make researches and technology experts to patch the loopholes of security systems.
For these reasons, it is extremely important to work with an experienced and reputable security provider with a proven track record like FFM, INC. For a free estimate on a home or commercial security system, CLICK HERE or call us at 540-370-8880 today!