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On defeating alarm systems

B

Bill

Seems to me this is an; insurance, amount of security -vs- cost, and "you
get what you pay for" thing.

In my experience, it seems *very* rare that an alarm system is defeated. And
those who know how to do this already know it and will continue to share
their knowledge with their "buddies".

Insurance companies look at their stats - If there are too many losses, they
will require additional security (which costs more of course). This could be
additional electronic security, additional physical security, or both.

And for the stuff needing protection which *really* counts, it is protected
exceptionally well electronically as well as physically.

And then for extra very high security needs... There are "custom" alarm
systems. No other like them anywhere. One of a kind. The guys at the
security company have trouble figuring out how they work, let alone an
intruder!

So all this nonsense in movies showing an intruder placing jumper wires in
an alarm control box to "bypass" the system is not very realistic if you ask
me. Not going to happen on systems which really count.

To show you the knowledge of your basic intruder. They don't know what
sensors are where. And alarm companies keep them guessing. Sometimes there
are "dummy" exposed contacts, but "real" concealed contacts. They bypass the
"dummy contact", but get caught by the concealed sensor and a silent alarm.

Then there was the case where a business *only* had an alarm in the
ceiling - nowhere else! You could smash the window, walk right in, and never
trip the alarm. Well some clown came in through the ceiling - got caught!
(This business was cheap - had a bunch of ceiling entries, so that is the
only place they wired for the alarm.) But other similar businesses have
sensors everywhere. No telling which business has what sensor or where it is
located, if it is a "dummy" sensor, or if it is real. In the ceiling or not
in the ceiling.

So if you are worried about your system being defeated... Well, systems
which would be targeted by those who know how to do it would have insurance
company requirements which would make doing this exceptionally difficult.
And if you don't have any special insurance company requirements, then
you're likely to attract a lesser skilled type who would smash, grab, and
run (and not know how to bypass the alarm). So your basic alarm will do.

So just keep your insurance up-to-date. They will tell you when additional
security is required and what is needed. If losses are low, for your area
and type of business , then not to worry.
 
R

Robert L Bass

Seems to me this is an; insurance, amount of
security -vs- cost, and "you get what you pay
for" thing.

In my experience, it seems *very* rare that an
alarm system is defeated. And those who know
how to do this already know it and will
continue to share their knowledge with their
"buddies".

Agreed on both counts. There's little that gets posted here that would help
a would-be thief.
Insurance companies look at their stats - If
there are too many losses, they will require
additional security (which costs more of
course). This could be additional electronic
security, additional physical security, or both.

The other gentleman mentioned having made a substantial effort to improve
the physical security of his property. In all probability that's of more
value than the alarm system in its entirety, let alone the EOLR's.
And for the stuff needing protection which
*really* counts, it is protected exceptionally
well electronically as well as physically.

Well, that is what is supposed to be done. It isn't always done though. :(

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34231
941-925-9747 Sales & Tech Support
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>
 
M

Matt Ion

Bill said:
So all this nonsense in movies showing an intruder placing jumper wires in
an alarm control box to "bypass" the system is not very realistic if you ask
me. Not going to happen on systems which really count.

WHAT??? You mean they actually make some of this stuff up for the movies???



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J

J. Sloud

Seems to me this is an; insurance, amount of security -vs- cost, and "you
get what you pay for" thing.

That is the truest thing posted here in quite a while.

Regarding the likelihood of a system being defeated its more a matter
of risk vs. reward.

A typical home or business doesn't attract the type of attack that
could defeat a decent COTS security system. However, there are
facilities that are much more attrative to those who could defeat such
systems. That's why there's DCID 6/9, the NISPOIM, UL2050, etc.
These documents establish standards for physical and electronic
security necessary to ensure important assets remain secured. NIST
approved encryption for control signals, 5 minute alarm response, 4
step motion detection, line security, etc. are examples of what might
be found in such an installation.
 
S

Shaun Eli

I'm not in the alarm business, but I find it silly that most of the
time in the movies when a bad guy rewires an alarm box to defeat it,
the box itself isn't in a protected area! I can't speak for most
installations but the ones I've noticed have all the alarm components
inside the building, protected by, at least, a nearby motion detector.
Obviously if there's a delay and the keypad and control box are in the
same place one could simply rip it out of the wall, but that's easily
avoided by putting an instant-trigger motion detector in front of the
box and not having the keypad nearby.
 
M

Matt Ion

Shaun said:
I'm not in the alarm business, but I find it silly that most of the
time in the movies when a bad guy rewires an alarm box to defeat it,
the box itself isn't in a protected area!

That's Hollywood for ya.


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there are very easy ways to defeat alarm systems which requires little
knowledge of alarm systems., and even easier to defeat a CCTV system.
 
R

Robert L Bass

I'm not in the alarm business, but I find it
That's Hollywood for ya.

My favorite silly Hollywood stunt is the glass cutter, string and suction
cup nonsense. It's amazing how many people actually believe that works.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34231
941-925-9747 Sales & Tech Support
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>
 
F

Frank Olson

My favorite silly Hollywood stunt is the glass cutter, string and suction
cup nonsense. It's amazing how many people actually believe that works.


It's amazing how many people actually believe you work (in the trade).
 
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