GeoArm's DIY Security Systems Blog » Alarm.com

“Crash & Smash” Detection Feature on GSM Alarm.com Modules

Jacob — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:31:34 +0000

A vulnerability of all alarm panels is that intruders have a fair amount of time to find and destroy a panel before it reports the intrusion to the central station. With All-in-one alarm panels, this risk is even higher because the system is usually located near the door where the user can get easy access to the built-in keypad. The Security Industry Association’s CP-01 standard and other initiatives encourage longer entry-delay and dialer-delay settings for control panels in order to reduce the frequency of false alarms. Unfortunately this increases the panel’s vulnerability to “Crash & Smash” (not to be confused with “smash and grab”) incidents because these settings give the intruder more time to find and destroy the control panel before it sends the alarm message to the central station.

Alarm.com has introduced a new feature that allows the dealer or end user to set longer entry-delays and dialer-delays in alarm panels without increasing the panel’s vulnerability to physical attacks. Alarm.com’s patent-pending “Crash & Smash” protection provides protection against panel destruction that is equivalent to a ~10 second entry-delay and ~10 second dialer-delay, regardless of the actual settings of these options.

Legacy POTS alarm panels that do not have “Crash & Smash” detection give the intruder 30-120 seconds of entry-delay time, 30-45 seconds of dialer-delay time and 20-30 seconds of actual dialing time to find and disable the panel before the alarm is received by the central station.

With “Crash & Smash” protection, the Alarm.com Netowork Operations Center (NOC) is aware of the intrusion within a few seconds, so the alarm will get reported to the central station even if the panel is disabled during the entry-delay, dialer-delay, or attempted call. Residential and commercial clients can program generous entry-delays and dialer-delays into their alarm panels without worrying about increased risk of panel destruction by an intruder. “Crash & Smash” detection promotes false alarm reduction techniques without increasing the risk of system failure during a true intrusion.

Because the Alarm.com GSM modules send sensor and system event notifications in near real-time to the Alarm.com NOC, it is aware of the status of all “alarms-in-progress” as they occur – not only after the panel tries to report an alarm to the central station.

A traditional central station is aware of two alarm states: “In Alarm” and “Not in Alarm”. The Alarm.com NOC is aware of all the steps as an intrusion unfolds: “Armed”, “Entry-delay started”, “Dialer-delay started” (siren sounds) and “In Alarm”. The NOC also knows that once an intrusion sensor is tripped, an alarm can only be avoided if the system is disarmed before the entry-delay expires or cancelled before the dialer-delay expires. The NOC knows that someone or something has disabled the panel’s ability to communicate with the NOC if a “Disarmed”, “Alarm cancelled” or “Alarm” code is not received from the panel soon after the alarm sequence begins.

When the NOC detects a possible “Crash & Smash” condition after the siren sounds it can send a “Suspected Alarm (Possible Crash & Smash)” email/text/Phone alart to users, and it will send the intrusion code and zone information as a normal Alarm message to the central station. If the NOC determines that the alarm panel was disabled before the entry-delay expired, it can send a “Suspected Entry Delay Alarm (Possible Crash & Smash)” email/text/phone alart to users and it will send an alarm message to the central station.

Supported Panels:

GE Simon 3 Alarm.com GSM modules (firmware version 116 & later)
GE Simon XT Alarm.com GSM modules (all firmware versions)
GE Concord Alarm.com GSM modules (firmware version 115 & later)

“Crash & Smash” is only available with an Alarm.com Interactive Alarm Monitoring service plan. Cellular alarm service through Alarm.com without the interactive upgrade is not compatible with this service.

Notes:

“Crash & Smash” monitoring does not begin until 10 minutes after the panel is armed.
Fire alarms and panics do not have any entry-delay or dialer-delay, so “Crash & Smash” protection does not apply to these events.
Police and medical alarm from the keypad do have a dialer-delay and do benefit from “Crash & Smash” protection on the Concord panel, but do not use dialer-delay on Simon and Simon XT panels.

Alarm.com cellular interactive service is available from GeoArm for only $25 monthly, and can be paired with the purchase of a new GE Simon XT wireless security system.

Bookmark and Share:

“Crash & Smash” Detection Feature on GSM Alarm.com Modules A vulnerability of all alarm panels is that intruders have...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Alarm.com Announces its 1 Billionth Customer Monitoring Message

Jacob — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:00:30 +0000

This week, Alarm.com counted the billionth activity monitoring message received by its Network Operations Center from an Alarm.com customer security system.

Vienna, Virginia – Alarm.com, the industry leader in wireless, web and mobile technology for remote monitoring and control of home and business security systems, today announced that it has just processed its billionth activity event message from an Alarm.com customer security system.

In 2003, Alarm.com was first to market with a 100% wireless and web-enabled solution to connect property owners to their security systems remotely. Unlike traditional alarm systems, which only report the important but rare alarm event, Alarm.com-enabled systems can monitor and report on many types of events that take place at a property on a day-to-day basis, helping users keep track of activities that may not require emergency response but are still important.

The Alarm.com Network Operations Center receives incoming activity messages in real-time from the security system installed at a customer’s home or business, via a wireless GSM data network, and can send email or text alerts to the customer immediately when an event is reported that the customer has chosen to monitor. Many Alarm.com customers are subscribed to notifications that alert them when:

The kids arrive home from school
There is a water leak in the basement
There is a power outage
The system is disarmed (and who disarmed it)
The liquor cabinet, medicine cabinet or safe opens
The garage door is left open
The dog walker takes the dog out
Someone forgot to arm the system before leaving for work or vacation

Alarm.com’s monitoring platform can also detect if a customer’s security control panel is destroyed by an intruder before it has signaled an alarm to the central station. This patented, Alarm.com-exclusive technology, known as “Crash & Smash” detection, is used today as an additional layer of protection in over 200,000 residential and commercial properties throughout North America. Security systems that lack “Crash & Smash” detection technology are more easily defeated by an intruder during the initial delay period when the system is waiting for an authorized user to disarm the system or cancel a recently triggered alarm.

“From day one, our goal at Alarm.com has been to deliver remote monitoring solutions that give customers greater visibility into what’s happening in and around their homes and businesses while they’re away,” said Steve Trundle, Alarm.com President & CEO. “The one billion message milestone is one we are proud to surpass as we remain focused on developing advanced services that give our customers greater remote property awareness, remote control, and peace of mind.”

A GE Simon XT Security System with an Alarm.com cellular radio alerady istalled is available from GeoArm for just $459.99. Alarm.com Interactive monitoring service which inludes “Smash & Crash” is available for just $25 per month. Whether you are interested in a new Alarm.com System or you already have one and are looking to save on your monitoring bill, GeoArm is the place to go.

Alarm.com Incorporated provides wireless and web-enabled security and activity monitoring technology to residential and commercial customers throughout the United States and Canada. Alarm.com’s Operations Center processes millions of security events every month, reported by Alarm.com systems used to monitor and protect houses, vacation properties, apartments, professional offices, restaurants, retail chains, model homes, boats, trailers, data centers, and more. Alarm.com technology is offered exclusively through a network of over 1000 licensed and authorized Security Dealers nationwide. The company is headquartered in Tysons Corner, VA, just outside of Washington, DC.

Bookmark and Share:

Alarm.com Announces its 1 Billionth Customer Monitoring Message This week, Alarm.com counted the billionth activity monitoring message received...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Alarm.com adds EZinstall feature for remote video monitoring

Jacob — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:29:22 +0000

GeoArm is pleased to announce that our Alarm.com service has added an EZinstall feature for the remote video surveillance monitoring service.

The new EZinstall feature from Alarm.com Simplifies the video camera installation process by eliminating the need for technicians to perform network configuration. It also extends the availability of Alarm.com Video to a broader segment of consumers by enabling camera setup on Apple/Mac computers.

“The EZinstall feature eliminates the challenges commonly associated with IP video camera installation, making it easier than ever for Alarm.com dealers to offer the service to interested customers…” said Bob McCarthy, Alarm.com Director of Product Management. “We’re also very excited to make it possible for Mac-only households to have a hassle-free camera set-up experience.”

Alarm.com Video – with remote monitoring features now available via the Alarm.com website and its iPhone and BlackBerry apps – delivers functionality beyond that of traditional remote video monitoring solutions.

Alarm.com Video does not require a local storage device (no DVR or PC required) at the monitored property. All video is stored securely offsite in the Alarm.com Operations Center.
Supports multiple Alarm.com IP camera models, including indoor IP cameras (WiFi-enabled with fixed lens and pan-tilt options) and outdoor IP cameras with a power over Ethernet option.
The Alarm.com video server enables analog (CCTV) security cameras to be used with Alarm.com Video, making any traditional security camera Alarm.com-compatible.
Camera supervision allows dealers and/or end-users to be notified if cameras are ever disabled.
Multiple properties can be monitored from a single Alarm.com Video account, and important video clips can be protected so they are not overwritten in the normal First-In First-Out recording process.

GeoArm is pleased to provide the Alarm.com video surveillance alarm monitoring service to our customers for the low price of only $17 per month for up to 4 Alarm.com Cameras.

Bookmark and Share:

Alarm.com adds EZinstall feature for remote video monitoring GeoArm is pleased to announce that our Alarm.com service has...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Alarm.com Interactive Video Surveillance Service FAQs

Jacob — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:27:26 +0000

Read on down below for FAQ’s and other great info on Alarm.com’s Interactive Video Suveillance Service.

Alarm.com Video FAQ’s

1. What are the core video features?

View live video through web, PDA and cell phone
Motion-triggered recording and notifications
Alarm-triggered recording and notifications
Recordings can be attached to email/mms notifications for immediate review on computers and compatible PDAs and cell phones.
Recorded clips can be played back through the web, and on the Alarm.com PDA site through compatible PDA’s and cell phones.
Connects to customer Local Area Network through Ethernet or 802.11

2. Does the video feature work with all types of panels and gateway modules?
Video is compatible with Simon 3, Simon XT, Concord and NetworX Alarm.com accounts. An interactive service plan is required.*
*Note: GeoArm and Alarm.com now also offer the Video Surveillance Service in a standalone option, which does not require the presence or interactivity of a security system.
3. Will the video feature work with any IP camera or webcam?
No, only Alarm.com cameras and video servers are supported. Compatible models include the Alarm.com ADC-V510 wireless network camera, ADC-V610PT Pan/Tilt wireless network camera, ADC-V700X day/night outdoor network camera and ADC-VS1 single-camera video server.
4. What kinds of cell phones support Live Video?
Any web-enabled cell phone with an HTML browser can view real-time live images on the Alarm.com PDA site. Streaming video is also available for phones that support JavaScript. Video-enabled cell phones can also view recorded clips and recieve video-clip email attachments of new video events if their service provider allows video emails. Note that the data charges by the cellular carrier can be significant for using video features on cell phones.
5. Which web browsers can be used to see video?
Cameras can be installed and operated using Windows Internet Explorer. Cameras can be operated but not installed on Firefox (Windows and Macintosh) and Safari (Macintosh) browsers.
6. Do I need to install any software on my PC to see the video?
An ActiveX control is required on Internet Explorer and a Java Applet is required on Firefox and Safari to view live video and manage cameras. (Users are automatically prompted to accept the necessary downloads.) A Flash plug-in is required on all browsers to view recorded video clips. No plug-ins or applications are needed for the PDA site.
7. How is my privacy ensured?
The Alarm.com account owner can see all cameras associated with the account, and additional logins created for the account can be assigned permission to see the cameras as required. The cameras employ password protection to prevent access from outside the Alarm.com website, with the Alarm.com cameras employing advanced MD5-based “digest authentication” for user authentication.
8. How much video can I record?
A standard account provides 50 MB of online storage (shared by all cameras), which is enough for up to 90 minutes of recording depending on the recording resolution and quality settings of each camera. Extra video storage (up to 500 MB total) is available as an add-on.
9. How long is each recording?
Motion triggered recordings can be configured for 15 second, 25 second or 35 second duration, each of which includes ~5 seconds of pre-trigger recording. Each alarm triggered recording is 35 to 55 seconds long depending on record quality settings.
10. What happens when my video storage is full?
After the storage is full, the system will delete the oldest recordings as required to make room for the newest recordings.
11. What if I want to save a recorded clip?
A user can save any particular clip by downloading it to their PC and/or marking it “Protected” on their account to prevent it from being automatically deleted when the storage limit is met.
12. How many days will my recorded clips last before they are over-written?
This depends on the recording frequency and video quality settings and can range from a few hours to a few weeks. Careful camera placement and Video Motion Detection configuration will reduce unwanted recordings and thereby optimize use of online storage capacity.
13. What is the resolution of the video?
The ADC-V510, ADC-V610PT and ADC-V700X support 640×480, 320×240 or 176×144 resolution for Live viewing and Recording on a camera-by-camera basis. The ADC-VS1 video server offers 704×480, 352×240 and 176×120 options.

For an overview of the service, check out this Alarm.com Video Tour. For additional information, or to purchase the cameras or service, visiting GeoArm’s section on Alarm.com Video Surveillance Service.

Bookmark and Share:

Alarm.com Interactive Video Surveillance Service FAQs Read on down below for FAQ’s and other great info...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Alarm.com Outdoor Day/Night Camera Now Available

Jacob — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:48:34 +0000

Alarm.com’s rugged new Outdoor Day/Night IP camera (ADC-V700X) makes it easy for GeoArm’s Alarm.com Video customers to view and record important activity outside their homes or businesses, day and night.

ADC-V700X Key Features:
Rugged – The camera is weatherproof and can operate from +4 to +122 degrees Fahrenheit
Night Vision – 12 Integrated Infa-Red (IR) LEDs allow the camera to see up to 30 feet in total darkness
Easy Installation – Supports Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE) configuration for simplified installation using a single cable for both video and power (requires PoE power injector, sold separately)

Alarm.com's Outdoor Day/Night Video Surveillance Camera ADC-V700X

The Outdoor Camera is ideal for monitoring any outdoor areas on the perimiter of a property such as a driveway, yard, patio, porch, doorways, swimming pool or shed. The ADC-V700X fully supports the Alarm.com Video Surveillance technology, which includes live web based video monitoring as well as event triggered video clip recording and alerts. The camera is also fully integrated with the Alarm.com Interactive alarm monitoring service from GeoArm, allowing you to integrate the management of your sercurity system with your video surveillance services. You can combine the outdoor camera with Alarm.com’s Indoor Standard, and Pan/Tilt cameras to provide for full video surveillance of any property. Ther service is available for the same $17 rate at which GeoArm initially introduced Alarm.com Video surveillance monitoring. For more information on the camera and the Video Monitoring Service, be sure to visit GeoArm’s Alarm.com Outdoor Video Surveillance Solution.

Bookmark and Share:

Alarm.com Outdoor Day/Night Camera Now Available Alarm.com’s rugged new Outdoor Day/Night IP camera (ADC-V700X) makes it...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

GeoArm offers Alarm.com Video Monitoring

Jacob — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:32:49 +0000

You can get Alarm.com Video Monitoring service now from GeoArm for as low as $17 per month!

Alarm.com Launches Video Monitoring Solution Enabling Consumers To Monitor Their Homes and Small Businesses From Mobile Device

Homeowners and small business owners do not need to have traditional security system to benefit from Alarm.com Video; new solution can also be integrated with consumer’s existing security panel

Las Vegas, Nevada – April 1, 2009 – Alarm.com, the leading provider of wireless and web-enabled monitoring technology, today announce an affordable, user-friendly video monitoring solution that enables consumers to remotely monitor their homes and small businesses via mobile device (cell phone, PDA, PC) – even if they do not have a security system installed in their property.

The new Alarm.com Video “standalone” video monitoring solution, which builds upon Alarm.com’s security system-integrated video solution released last fall, offers consumers unparalleled visibility into what’s happening at their property, wherever they are. Users can remotely log in from a computer, PDA or cell phone to view live video or recorded clips of activity at their property, and receive video clip alerts when new video footage is recorded. Importantly, Alarm.com Video can benefit consumers who do not own traditional home security systems, or homeowners and small business owners who want to integrate Alarm.com Video with their existing security panel to receive alarm-triggered video clip recordings.

Alarm.com Videos’ extensive feature set and customizable recording capabilities make it an excellent solution for traditional security monitoring applications, like capturing footage of a break-in. Its flexibility and ease of implementation also make it attractive for monitoring everyday non-emergency activity. For example, homeowners can receive video clips when the kids get home from school; check in on a pet; monitor a driveway or swimming pool; or monitor a second home or vacation property. Small business owners can access a video log to see if employees opened and closed the store on time, track unauthorized access to protected areas of the business and keep an eye on things when they’re away.

“Consumer options for viewing and recording activity that occurs in and around their homes and businesses have historically been limited to expensive, local storage solutions that require sifting through hours of video footage,” said Steve Trundle, CEO of Alarm.com. “Alarm.com Video is the first affordable solution that brings full-featured remote video monitoring to a consumer’s mobile device – delivering true ‘property awareness’ to Alarm.com customers.”

Unlike other video monitoring services, Alarm.com Video does not requite a local storage device, such as a DVR, at the monitored property – all video is stored securely offsite in the Alarm.com Operations Center. Alarm.com’s standalone video solution requires only power, broadband Internet service and at least one camera at the monitored property. Supported video equipment includes several Alarm.com IP camera models as well as Alarm.com’s IP video server, which enables analog (CCTV) security cameras to be used with the Alarm.com Video service.

Alarm.com Video offers the following key benefits for consumers:

• Access live and recorded video clips via the web and from any iPhone, BlackBerry, or other supported mobile device
• View live video from one or more cameras simultaneously and remotely adjust pan-tilt cameras
• Receive alerts with optional video clip attachments whenever new video is recorded
• Customize recording settings based on security events, video motion detection, and time of day
• Record and store up to 1000 MB of video securely on Alarm.com’s remote servers (no local DVR or PC required)
• Cameras include built-in 802.11/WiFi connectivity

“With crime levels up across the country, consumers are seeking affordable, easy-to-use technologies that allow them to more effectively monitor residential and commercial properties,” added Bob McCarthy, Alarm.com’s Director of Product Management. “By delivering video clips and notifications via email or text message, and offering an easy-to-use web interface for controlling the types of events that trigger automatic recording and alerts, Alarm.com Video appeals to the mobile lifestyle of today’s consumer.”

Alarm.com Video is available through authorized Alarm.com Security Dealers in the United States and Canada. For more information, please visit www.alarm.com/video

About Alarm.com

Alarm.com Incorporated provides wireless and web-enabled security and activity monitoring technology to residential and commercial customers throughout the United States and Canada. Alarm.com’s Operations Center processes over 25 Million security events every month, reported by Alarm.com systems that are used to monitor and protect houses, vacation properties, apartments, professional offices, restaurants, retail chains, model homes, boats, trailers, data centers, and more. Alarm.com-enabled security systems are offered through a network of over 800 licensed Security Dealers. Alarm.com technology is compatible with GE Security equipment and has been tested by ETL to comply with UL 985, UL 1023, and UL 1635 (ULC S545 and ULC 1023 in Canada) for residential security installations. The company is headquartered in McLean, VA, a subrb of Washington, DC.

GeoArm is offering Alarm.com Interactive Video Surveillance service, or Standalone Video Surveillance Service with Standard or Pan/Tilt Cameras.

Bookmark and Share:

GeoArm offers Alarm.com Video Monitoring You can get Alarm.com Video Monitoring service now from GeoArm...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

GeoArm Now Offering Alarm Monitoring In 49 States

Sterling — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:42:19 +0000

We are proud to announce that we are now licensed for central station alarm monitoring in all states except for Hawaii. This marks a vast increase in our service reach, from 34 to 49 states. We are excited to open up New York, California, and Texas, three of the most populous states to GeoArm’s alarm monitoring services . We hope to add service in Hawaii in the near future.

GeoArm Alarm Monitoring Licensing by State

GeoArm offers alarm monitoring for as low as $10 month for both residential and commercial properties. Our UL certified central station staffed 24/7 by certified professional dispatchers gives you the confidence that in the event of an emergency, response is on the way. We also offer a host of alternative communication options for those customers that do not have a traditional phone line. Available cellular service through AlarmNet, Alarm.com, and Connect 24 gives us the ability to sign up any customer no matter what equipment they have on their system. Stop paying outrageous monthly fees for your alarm system monitoring and enjoy the peace of mind that GeoArm provides.

Bookmark and Share:

GeoArm Now Offering Alarm Monitoring In 49 States We are proud to announce that we are now licensed...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Transfer your Monitoring & Save!

Jacob — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:26:46 +0000

Do you already have an alarm system installed in your home or business? Tired of paying the high monthly rates of ADT or other alarm dealers? Now you can transfer your alarm monitoring service to GeoArm’s UL listed Central Station for as little as $10/month!

Pay less and get more, with GeoArm’s 30 years of industry experience and helpful technical support team. Don’t pay more just so you can pay again for expensive service calls! Our central station can remotely reprogram most alarm systems, and supports a variety of cellular alarm communication systems including Honeywell’s AlarmNet, GE’s Alarm.com and DSC’s Connect 24.

In addition to traditional alarm monitoring service, GeoArm also offers interactive monitoring services, video surveillance features, and video verification monitoring.

Bookmark and Share:

Transfer your Monitoring & Save! Now you can transfer your alarm monitoring service to GeoArm’s...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.