Home alarm and security systems are generally split into two categories: self-monitored and professionally monitored.
The former is where you are alerted via an app notification, a text message or an automated phone call when the alarm is triggered (or you hear the siren) and how you act on that is up to you.
The latter, a professionally monitored system, still alerts you in a similar way – but, crucially, it also contacts an alarm receiving centre, where trained security experts are available to assist with the situation. These operators make contact with you, usually via the alarm system itself, check what’s happened and, if needed, call the emergency services on your behalf.
They can also dispatch a private security guard to visit your home and check what’s happened. This can be especially useful if you’re away and unable to respond to the alarm yourself.
Verisure is an example of a home security and alarm system with professional monitoring. Unlike some rivals, Verisure does not offer a self-monitored system. Instead, every installation comes with professional monitoring as part of the monthly fee.
How is the alarm triggered?
A Verisure alarm system can be triggered in a number of ways, depending on which devices a customer has installed in their home – something Verisure’s installation experts decide in advance, as part of creating a bespoke system for each home.
An alarm event can be triggered by the shock sensors, which are fitted to key doors and windows. These sound the alarm when the door or window is opened while the alarm is set, and also when they sense the shock of someone trying to break in.
Verisure’s GuardVision devices – indoor cameras and motion detectors housed in one wireless, wall-mounted unit – can also set the alarm off if they detect motion while armed. So too can the LockGuard smart door lock, which is designed to detect tampering and picking attempts. There’s also a smoke detector offered by Verisure, and customers can manually activate the alarm with the portable SOS button and the SOS function of the wall-mounted SVK keypad.
What happens when the alarm is triggered?
When a professionally-monitored Verisure alarm system is triggered, a siren sounds and the company’s Alarm Receiving Centre is alerted. On average, Verisure responds to your alarm within 45 seconds. Trained security experts assess the alarm and attempt to make contact through the SVK – that’s the wall-mounted control unit that handles sound, voice and keypad functions.
You’ll hear the operator’s voice asking for your personal code word; provide this to give the all-clear and the incident is brought to a close. Or, if there’s been a serious incident, you can tell the operator what’s happening. Each system is given its own set of code words – one for Verisure operations to identify themselves, and another to confirm who you are and that you’re not acting under duress. These code words can be changed by the customer in the My Verisure app.
If you don’t respond right away, the operator can use information from your system, including its sensors and, where available, camera images, video and audio, to assess the situation and contact the emergency services if required. If you don’t respond through the SVK, they’ll also try to phone you and any other key fob holders connected to your Verisure account.
If required, a private security guard can be dispatched to assess the situation firsthand, and it’s even possible for the operator to activate ZeroVision, Verisure’s smoke canister. This quickly deploys a non-toxic smoke screen designed to obscure visibility and make it harder for an intruder to continue.
Professional monitoring is designed to ensure an alarm isn’t left sounding until someone notices. Instead, these systems call on trained security experts to assess what has happened, contact the homeowner and decide on the appropriate response – whether that’s confirming a false alarm, dispatching a private security guard or, where appropriate, contacting the emergency services.
