Peace of Mind

Security takes the same approach at every level

• By Arlin Owsley
• Apr 01, 2015

Monitored security hasn’t always been a luxury afforded to every home in North America, but similar to the advancement of telecommunications technology, this one time luxury has now become common place. The ultimate definition of monitored security is nothing more than 24/7, 365 peace-of-mind.

But, what does peace-of-mind mean? How can it be obtained? Think about the inception, growth and evolution of this great country and our lives within it. In times of peace and war, armed forces monitor our nation’s security. Their objective, however hard it might be, is to provide peace-ofmind to our daily lives and uphold all expected freedoms.

All of this while we sleep, eat and drive are blissfully removed from threats which might otherwise do harm. Their ubiquitous presence allows every person within this nation’s borders, and beyond, to feel safe from foreign or domestic acts of terror. Society and government takes the same approach at the local level. Within each home in every community, you’re building your family and monitoring the safety of every member within it.

As we continue down the path of monitored security, I would like to pose a few questions to those households with infant and toddler aged children. Would you let just anyone babysit your child? Would you let just any stranger into your home? I would venture to believe that every parent in this country and across the globe would be calculated in the assessment of who enters their home—a recognized sanctuary.

The protection and development of our children involves passionate care and involvement. I would take this a step further and infer that all decision making within your home, regardless of size or value, carries the same significance, because the home is our champion of safety. The discussion to this point illustrates monitored security scenarios where structure and safety are provided by the people most qualified to provide it. Couple this verdict with passionate care, and it is easy to recognize that this nation is actively “opting-in” for national and local monitoring.

Now, let’s focus and think solely about you. This includes your family members, your safety, your home, your keepsakes and your peace-of-mind. To better align our personal decisions towards safety, I will pose some additional questions. Do we leave our streets to be self-monitored? Do we rely on the generosity of others to protect our children and keep strangers from entering our homes? Drawing upon our recent findings, we have already recognized the importance of aligning the most qualified individuals to those tasks carrying unparalleled significance. Would the same deduction not hold true when considering all self-interests?

To best protect our interests, whether selfish or otherwise, we should presume that the security industry, one that never sleeps, will possess those individuals most qualified to do so. We can confidently turn to our fellow citizens and the technology that absolves us from worry. This technology and 24/7, 365 monitoring of it, allows us to protect our homes’ perimeter from intruders while enjoying the boundless capabilities of home automation, remote access controls and HD video surveillance all while delivering you customized peace-of-mind.

Where did the monitored security industry start and how did we get here? Whether we’re talking about castles with supervised curtain walls, or chronicled individuals of importance with personal bodyguards, our historical knowledge and recognition spans multiple centuries. With the advent of telecommunications and the amelioration of the industry, copper wire systems enabled wealthy Americans to start with basic perimeter protection.

Of course, technology continued to advance delivery methods, molding and shaping the benefits of security and automation to its current state. Whether it’s the White House or a small apartment, a wired or wireless security system will provide all the bells and whistles to protect people, property and provide true peace-of-mind to the end-user with cost-effective means. Imagine the device ecosystem possibilities of the current and future state of monitored security—remote lighting, appliance controls, energy management, PERS devices, retinal scans and so much more. These “bolt-on” benefits continue to move and point the industry towards one that creates a fully connected home interlaced with a reality once thought to be science fiction.

To provide direct contrast to this peace-of-mind idea, think of a selfmonitored security system—technology that is only monitored by the consumer. The end user, in this case, someone who doesn’t share our thoughts on peace-of-mind, is solely liable for the recognition and response to a deemed emergency.

It is important to note that this also carries the momentous task of alerting the proper authorities. A self-monitored system does not communicate with a central monitoring station or proper authorities. That burden is on the end user and will never consider or recognize your hierarchy of needs, like sleep or rest and relaxation. This technology is only effective if you are aware, capable or available to respond. Like the Revolutionary War, militias were the self-monitored security of the nation. Most came without central command or appropriate support.

Today, the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Army and Marines protect us by land, sea or sky—they’re organized with fail-safes and redundancies to ensure unceasing protection. Self-monitoring falls back to one person—there is no fail safe and proactive response is never guaranteed. Regardless of the emergency, peace of mind is subject to one individual’s ability to act and respond. With monitored security, true peace-of-mind is a benefit delivered from advanced product/service suites offered in customizable fashion.

Our industry is monitoring your security and in the event of any alarm (including fire and medical), we’re dispatching the proper authorities, calling emergency contacts to gather additional information and ensuring 100 percent resolution of the emergency. Monitoring technology is a relatively new development in our history, but the idea of relying on each other for safety is ingrained in our very being. Those who take advantage of today’s skillfully honed monitoring solutions are continuing that tradition in the most effective of ways.

This article originally appeared in the April 2015 issue of Security Today.