Intrusion alarm systems: a comprehensive guide

What is an intrusion alarm system?

An intrusion detection alarm system is designed to detect unauthorized access to your facilities when they’re supposed to be empty. Intrusion alarm systems consist of multiple observation components, such as door and window sensors, cameras and AI-powered analytics, to help ensure that all unwanted access is tracked. 

Any unauthorized intrusions will set off a local alarm and alert your security team to review it, dispatching security guards or emergency services if necessary. Paired with other business security solutions, like video security and access control, intruder alarms help create a robust security posture for your site. 

Intrusion alarm systems are versatile, catering to both commercial and residential needs. The type of intrusion alarm you use may vary depending on the use case, but its primary aim is to help reduce theft, vandalism and loitering while ensuring the safety of your people and property.

Why are intrusion alarms important?

In the US, property crime is far more common than violent offenses. In 2022, the FBI reported 1,954.4 property crimes like theft and trespassing per 100,000 people, compared to just 380.7 violent crimes per 100,000.

Intrusion alarm systems are a fundamental part of home and business security, providing a layer of protection against unauthorized access, robbery and vandalism. They act as both a rapid response mechanism and a deterrent – according to a 2020 study, their presence alone reduces the risk of robberies.

How do intrusion alarm detection systems work?

Depending on the type of intruder alarm system, it can work in different ways. Regardless of the mechanics, it all operates by detecting a change in the environment. For example, traditional motion detection alarms are triggered if there are unexpected movements within an area when it is supposed to be empty. 

If a change is detected, the system issues an alert. This alert can be different depending on your system type. Often, a detection triggers an audio alert, notifying people on site about the security breach and acting as a last line of deterrence. Many intruder alarm systems may also send a digital alert to your phone or a centralized alarm station and auto-dial security or police services so that they can respond quickly.

Intrusion alarm systems are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They can be tailored to various scenarios to help maintain safety and protect property. These systems can be practical in several contexts:

Break-ins or unauthorized entries

Intrusion alarms play a critical role in detecting unauthorized entries at any time. At schools, they can detect and manage active intruder events, promoting a safer environment for students. Retail stores can benefit by preventing potential theft, while office spaces use these systems to maintain secure environments for sensitive data and assets, even when the employees are away.

Vandalism

Intrusion alarms can help protect building exteriors and outside assets from defacement, graffiti and damage. When placed strategically, these systems can help deter vandals from targeting schools, retail centers or office buildings. They are also instrumental in preserving the integrity of public spaces such as parks and athletic fields, ensuring that these areas remain safe and welcoming.

Loitering

Early detection of suspicious behavior can be the key to preventing security incidents from escalating. Intrusion alarm systems can be configured to provide time-based alerts, making them ideal for overseeing building exteriors, parking lots and other areas where loitering could be a precursor to criminal activity. 

They are particularly useful for spaces like schools, retail centers and office building exteriors, as well as outdoor areas like parks and athletic fields that are closed during certain hours, offering peace of mind that these locations are being observed even when not actively in use. 

Main components of intrusion alarm systems

Intrusion alarms integrate multiple elements to effectively detect suspicious activity. These components can be tailored to create a more effective intruder alarm system that meets your requirements. The multi-layered approach swiftly identifies unauthorized entry is detected swiftly, providing your security team with essential information for prompt response.

Control panels

The control panel is the central hub of your intrusion alarm system. It processes information received from sensors, decides when to trigger the alarm and communicates with the alarm monitoring service. Typically, control panels are located in a secure area, so authorized security personnel can use them to arm and disarm your entire system or certain parts of it.

Motion sensors

Motion sensors are the most common detection device within an intrusion alarm detection system. They work by tracking movement and triggering an alert if there are sudden changes.

There are multiple types of motion sensors, all working to ensure accurate motion detection. Common motion sensor types include infrared sensors, microwave and ultrasonic sensors.

Contact sensors

Contact sensors are intrusion alarm components used to secure entrances such as doors and windows. They work by detecting contact instead of movement. When a door or a window is opened, the contact sensor signals the control panel to activate an alarm.

Glass break sensors

Glass break sensors are specialized in recognizing the vibration of breaking glass. These detectors provide an additional security layer, particularly for areas with large windows or glass doors. They constantly listen for unusual sounds and trigger an alarm if an intruder tries to enter by shattering glass.

Alarm indicators

If suspicious activity is detected, it’s crucial to have noticeable alarm indicators. Sirens, bells or strobe lights serve this purpose, creating a loud and visible alert that can startle intruders, warn occupants and attract attention from neighbors or passersby. These indicators can be critical in deterring potential burglars and minimizing the time intruders spend on the property.

Video cameras

Validating sensor-triggered alerts can be challenging without an on-site security team. This can result in delayed response as security teams verify the situation or risk fines when false alarms prompt unnecessary police involvement. If there is a genuine threat, sensor alerts may not provide enough context for the responders to know what’s happening, limiting their ability to respond effectively. Warehouse alarm systems and other applications with extended hours of operation can benefit greatly from these video capabilities.

Video security, such as the usage of IP surveillance cameras, adds a visual dimension to an intrusion alarm system, allowing your team to quickly verify and assess events. By strategically placing cameras around your site, your team can gain situational awareness to facilitate effective response.

Video and audio analytics

The most advanced intrusion alarm systems leverage valuable insights from audio and AI video analytics to validate alerts. These systems analyze data in real-time to identify potential threats through advanced rule engines.

This helps intrusion alarm systems distinguish between routine movements and suspicious behaviors, reducing false alarms and enhancing overall security efficacy. By providing real-time validation of alerts, these analytics enable security teams to prioritize and respond to incidents more rapidly and efficiently, ensuring a swift resolution to potential threats.

Types of intrusion alarm systems 

Intrusion alarm systems come in different forms, each suited to particular needs and preferences. Some of the most common types of intrusion alarm systems are:

Wired intrusion alarm systems 

A wired system is one in which all the components are physically connected to the control panel through wires and electronic cables. These systems are known for their reliability, as they don’t use batteries or wireless signals that can be subject to interference or disruption. However, wired intrusion system installation and maintenance can be labor-intensive due to the need for the wiring to be done.

Wireless intrusion alarm systems

Wireless systems offer flexibility and ease of installation. They use radio or other wireless frequencies to communicate between the control panel and sensors, making them ideal for sites where wiring might be impractical. Due to the ease of setup, wireless intrusion alarm systems can be easily installed and removed as needed, offering more flexibility. 

Monitored vs unmonitored alarms 

In addition to wired and wireless intrusion alarms, these security solutions can be monitored or not. Unmonitored intrusion detection systems provide alerts by using sirens, alarms or mobile notifications. From here, it’s up to the property owner or supervisor to alert security personnel. 

Monitored systems send alerts to a monitoring service, where experienced security professionals validate the alert and engage police or on-site teams if necessary. These systems can also send alerts directly to your mobile or other device, empowering you with the information you need to investigate and respond to intrusion threats. Monitored alarm systems are suitable for high-risk, remote areas, enabling rapid response to security events. 

Cloud-native intrusion alarm systems

The latest cloud-native alarm systems harness cloud computing and AI to validate alerts and streamline your security systems. While traditional intrusion alarm systems rely on siloed sensors, cloud-native systems integrate a variety of sensors, cameras and detection devices with a cloud-based platform. This infrastructure offers easy scalability, the convenience of remote access and seamless integration with your existing security infrastructure. 

AI-powered algorithms analyze the data from these integrated devices in real-time to identify potential security breaches and filter out false alerts. These systems also allow for a granular configuration of detection rules to further improve alert validity. As a result, you benefit from improved alert accuracy and accelerated emergency response. 

Benefits of intrusion alarm systems

Intrusion alarm systems offer several key advantages that enhance your overall security posture and provide peace of mind. Here are the main benefits:

Speed of response

Burglaries typically last between eight and ten minutes, so the speed of your response is critical to limiting property damage and restoring safety on site. However, alerts only work if someone sees and responds to them immediately. Modern intrusion alarm systems enable you to detect and verify unauthorized presence in seconds. If an alert is confirmed, intrusion systems provide your security team with actionable insights necessary for effective response, minimizing the potential for property damage and fines for false alarms. 

Insurance benefits

Investing in an intrusion alarm system can also help you get a more favorable insurance policy. Providers often recognize the added protection provided by advanced security systems and may offer discounted premiums to properties equipped with them.

Flexibility

Another benefit of these systems is that they offer great flexibility. Due to the variety of components you can implement, you can build a solution that best suits your needs and property. This flexibility also allows you to seamlessly integrate the system with other security measures and scale it with different features, strengthening your security posture. 

Disadvantages of intrusion alarm systems

While intrusion alarm systems can greatly enhance security, there are some limitations to be aware of:

Not suitable for all environments

Although intrusion alarm systems can improve your security posture, it’s important to be aware that this technology may not be suitable for everyone. Standard intrusion alarm detection systems may not provide sufficient protection for organizations in highly regulated industries unless they are part of a tailored, comprehensive solution. 

For example, organizations in highly regulated sectors such as banking and jewelry may often require additional security measures like vaults, time locks and sophisticated security solutions. An intrusion alarm detection system alone may not offer the level of granularity and control required by law for these environments.

Similarly, highly regulated industries dealing with controlled substances, like pharmaceuticals and cannabis, face their own set of legal security mandates. These often include stringent access controls, inventory tracking and end-to-end security solutions to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. 

Factors to consider when choosing an intrusion alarm 

When choosing your intrusion alarm system, there are a few things to consider to ensure you get a solution that meets your unique needs.

1. In-house security capability

Your in-house security capability and resources will determine what kind of solution and components to deploy. If your organization lacks the dedicated resources to effectively receive and respond to alerts 24/7 across multiple locations, you may need to choose a monitored cloud-native solution. This type of intrusion alarm system will enable you to integrate your existing hardware to achieve improved situational awareness and response capabilities.

2. Ownership cost

Understanding your ownership cost is another factor when selecting an intrusion alarm system. Your initial investment may extend beyond the purchase price to include installation and potential structural modifications. Additionally, it’s essential to consider the maintenance costs and 24/7 monitoring as they can significantly influence your total cost of ownership. Balancing these financial considerations with the level of security and support is crucial to finding a cost-effective solution. 

3. Alert filtering sophistication

Finally, the sophistication of alert filtering in an intrusion alarm system determines its effectiveness. According to a 2020 study, over 94 percent of burglar alarms turn out to be false, placing a significant burden on law enforcement agencies and creating a risk of fines for you. High-quality intrusion security systems employ advanced algorithms and AI to distinguish between routine incidents and genuine threats, minimizing false alarms that can lead to unnecessary expenses and desensitization to alerts. 

Best practices for installing and maintaining intrusion alarms 

Once you select an intrusion alarm system for your unique needs, it’s important to install and configure it effectively. Following these best practices during installation can help ensure the effectiveness of your intrusion alarm system. 

1. Site assessment and equipment placement

Begin by assessing your site to identify potential access points. This will inform the placement of your sensors and cameras. It’s also important to position your control panel out of sight from external locations to ensure intruders cannot tamper with it. 

Strategically position your security equipment, balancing visible and concealed devices. Visible devices can act as deterrents to intruders, while concealed ones prevent potential tampering. Additionally, define security zones with specific arming protocols tailored to the daily activity and risk level of each area. You may choose to arm high-traffic zones only during off-hours to avoid false alarms while securing other areas continuously. 

For optimal results, consider consulting with professional commercial security installers. They can provide expert advice on intrusion alarm placement and customization, ensuring the system is effective and tailored to your needs.

2. Redundant power supply and internet connection

Ensure your intrusion alarm system is backed by a redundant power supply to maintain protection during outages, with backup batteries or generators ready to operate seamlessly when needed. For systems that utilize cloud-based services, a stable internet connection is essential for validating alerts and accessing real-time footage. To ensure your system remains effective, consider setting up a backup network connection.

3. Regular maintenance and testing

You should also schedule annual maintenance for your system. Regular check-ups allow you to resolve any issues and make necessary adjustments, ensuring your system remains fully functional. Frequent testing is also recommended, especially for commercial properties with extensive security measures, to confirm all components are functioning as expected.

4. Overall perimeter security review

Lastly, it is important to review your overall perimeter security, including fences, gates and access control systems. This holistic approach ensures that your intrusion detection technology is complemented by robust physical barriers, offering comprehensive protection against unauthorized entry.

Key takeaways 

Intrusion alarm systems are crucial to keeping commercial or residential property secure. These systems use a combination of sensors, cameras, cloud services, and audio and video analytics to detect unwanted intrusions and inform emergency response. By alerting property owners and law enforcement about potential threats, intrusion alarms play a crucial role in preventing vandalism and deterring loitering and unauthorized entry. 

When selecting an intrusion alarm system, consider your site location, system cost and the facility’s specific security needs. Additionally, proper maintenance and strategic installation are key to ensuring the system operates effectively.