While business alarm systems will detect intrusion, the security monitoring and response station is the force that actually protects your company. As a result, understanding the role of the security monitoring and response station should be an important part of your purchasing process.

Your alarm system is pre-programmed with your business information and connected to the security monitoring and response station through your phone lines. When the alarm is tripped, the control panel sends the relevant details to the security monitoring and response station. Within seconds, the station will call your office to check on potential problems.

With security monitoring systems, if the central station reaches a live person, they'll ask for a passcode to confirm that person belongs there. If they don't hear the right passcode, or if they don’t get a response, they will immediately send authorities to the scene. The security monitoring and response station will also contact the designated keyholder - someone in the company responsible for determining if there's been a break-in.

Internally managed security monitoring and response stations are required to contact authorities within 45 seconds of an alarm going off. If someone cuts the power – intentionally or accidentally – most alarm systems have a reliable backup source. This backup can be either a second monitoring station, or a backup generator with 10-15 days worth of power on reserve.

To work with the most reliable security monitoring and response stations, submit a free BuyerZone request for security monitoring systems quotes, and learn about the stations each supplier works with and the other products and services they offer.