A recent article in SDM Magazine, “Are DIY and MIY Heralding Alarmageddon,” by Rob Baxter, discussed the interesting topic of MIY Home Security Systems and the power of verified alarms.

With "Monitor It Yourself" (MIY) growing as a solution in the home alarm industry, it is likely that it will expand into commercial alarm security. 

But is MIY an effective commercial security solution?

MIY Alarm Monitoring

Companies like Google and Apple, and dozens of apps, have jumped on board with "Monitor It Yourself" security technology, making huge investments into MIY security systems by acquiring home security companies and products. 

Currently MIY is most common in the home security industry, where its biggest selling feature is deterrence. 

Does MIY security actually deter criminals?

Security signage and visible cameras can help deter criminals, but it is by no means a complete deterrence, and should never be relied upon as the sole security system for a commercial establishment.

While MIY security may be a reasonable choice for home security, it is unlikely to deter professional thieves from breaking in to your office or commercial site.

Does MIY Offer “Crime in Progress Verification”?

Crime-in-Progress verification (CPV) is an effective security solution that requires alarm verification prior to police dispatch.  CPV is verified through either audio or video and has been the most effective method for reducing false alarm rates and improving police response times.  Audio or video verification is typically completed through a Central Monitoring Station, however, there is a growing trend towards self-monitoring which does not have the same level of effectiveness.

Self-monitoring is a form of CPV as video is sent to your phone, tablet or computer for verification. Are you going to be able to verify your own alarm when you are at the movies, playing hockey, coaching you kid, at work, in a meeting, on the phone, driving, away on holidays or asleep? Probably not. 

You need a 24/7 monitoring station that has an operator available to review and determine what action to take.  If you are able to monitor 24/7, will you know how to dispatch the police? You can’t just dial 911 as you may not be in the correct community.  Do you know how to speak to police dispatchers so you can get a fast police response? This is the job of a trained central monitoring operator who knows how to speak with the police and dispatch properly.   

MIY is great for dialing-in and checking video around your property, turning lights on and off, or turning your heat/cooling up and down, but it is not meant to monitor your business. That requires trained monitoring staff who are awake and attentive 24/7 and have a direct line to the police

Our Sonitrol alarm systems are verified through either audio or video technologies, and has been the most effective method for reducing false alarm rates, catching criminals and improving police response times.  Why?  Our central monitoring operators are trained professionals who can monitor and notify the police of the incident as it unfolds.  

Does a MIY system result in criminal arrests?

MIY may reduce the total amount of false alarm rates, but if an actual break-in occurs, the owner / user needs to report it immediately and wait for police dispatch.  

Herein lies the problem.  The MIY user needs to be available at all times to monitor and dispatch police, while also ensuring the calls to police are actual crimes-in-progress.  A moment’s delay may cause late arrival of police – and no criminal apprehension.    

In comparison, Sonitrol uses a CPV system where the central monitoring station is notified of a break-in through unique audio or video “push” technology that results immediate dispatch of police.  This is a unique feature among burglar alarms, as most central monitoring stations use “pull” technology. Learn more about push and pull technology in our recent blog post about that subject.

Central monitoring is without doubt the most effective method of Crime-in-Progress Verification.

Why We Recommend You Use Sonitrol’s Central Monitoring Station To Verify Alarms?

Sonitrol is well known in the criminal community for our high apprehension rate. Signage featuring the Sonitrol name is likely to deter criminal activity, because criminals know we are the best security company and they know we will dispatch police immediately.

Our central monitoring station will monitor your office or commercial location 24/7, through audio sensors, real-time video CCTV surveillance, or both.  If a break-in occurs, Sonitrol’s operators immediately dispatch police who arrive within minutes.  

The average response time to a Sonitrol verified alarm is 3.5 minutes.

MIY does not provide the same peace of mind or fast police response. 

Not only does MIY require you to have access to a Smart Phone or Tablet at all times, its just not possible to monitor your site 24/7 on your own.  

A central monitoring station continually monitors your business site so you don’t have to.  And with our SonaVision CCTV surveillance, you have the option to check-in and supervise your business using any of your personal electronic devices.

Contact us today to for a free security plan.

About Sonitrol Western Canada

We're so confident in our technology and responsive service, that no one else in the industry can match our guarantee. Our unique verified audio and CCTV video business security solutions enable our operators to hear and see what is happening in your business before the criminals gain entry!! We verify the actual source of the alarm, and we get the police to attend the scene immediately. FOR A FREE SECURITY AUDIT, click here, or call 1-866-766-4876 - We are a security company with over 150 offices across North America serving clients across Western Canada in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon. 

Sonitrol Western Canada, with its Verified Electronic Security Systems, is committed to providing customers with the most comprehensive security protection. Cooperation in the elimination of false alarms is not only beneficial to the system’s user, but results in better protection of the entire community by allowing law enforcement to use their resources as efficiently as possible.