Your Security Resource Center

Knowing that a mere deadbolt and window glass separates your office's assets from would-be burglars can be disconcerting. Thinking about the impact of such a loss on your business can be downright insomnia inducing. An alarm system can quickly bring you peace of mind.

Commercial security providers employ a variety of equipment to secure your business. Door/window sensors and glass break detectors help secure your office's vulnerable points, with motion sensors detecting movement within the office. Sirens and strobe lights alert neighbors and potentially scare off would-be burglars. And for those who work in higher-risk situations involving valuables like cash or jewels, a strategically placed holdup button that immediately calls for help can provide that extra security.

For an alarm system to work, you will also need to sign up for service. It can be basic monitoring, in which a central station alerts you or the police when an alarm has been triggered. Advanced options include opening/closing reports, which list when the system has been armed and disarmed, and notification if the phone line used to communicate the alarm system status to the central station has been cut. In addition, the forgetful will appreciate the ability to arm and disarm the system remotely and to be notified if the system is not armed by a certain time.

When considering systems, make sure the suggested proposal is adequate. To provide the lowest bid, some security companies may recommend a setup that fits your budget but is less successful at meeting your security needs. Obtaining a minimum of three bids can help ensure that you wind up with the optimal security design for your office, whether it be your existing one or new office space.

Also find out what the company will actually provide. Installation, service, and monitoring may not all be handled directly by that provider. Neither may billing, particularly if you're given "free" equipment where your contract may actually be sold to a financing company. Regardless of who owns your contract, check on service availability and turnaround. If an alarm won't arm, how quickly can someone get to your place of business to fix it?

Expect costs of $500 to $2,000 for equipment, plus a minimum $25 per month for monitoring. Equipment costs will increase with the implementation of high-tech security devices like retina readers and fingerprint readers. Similarly, additional services like opening/closing reports will impact the monthly pricing.

A typical contract lasts from two to five years, with a shorter term typically available if you purchase the equipment. As always, ask about the contract terms. If you are not satisfied with the service, what happens to your contract? In addition, a lot of consolidation is going on in the industry; it can be helpful to understand the company's commitment to the industry or to have an understanding of what happens to your contract if the company sells or goes out of business. By checking on all these areas, you can ensure that you don't get left with a false sense of security.