Security systems and 21CN

With the ever increasing demands and requirement of modern technology the existing communications and data networks need to be upgraded – this is commonly known at 21CN and this can affect your monitored burglar alarm system

21CN is BT’s global, software driven customer network that introduces a new, simpler portfolio of next generation services. It is the foundation for BT’s transformation into a global, software-driven communications business.

Fundamentally 21CN is about customer choice – it’s a platform for innovation that truly puts flexibility and choice in the hands of our customers – both in the UK and across the world. To meet the needs of all our customers – both today and in the future – the scope of 21CN has been expanded and now includes:

• the introduction of software-driven innovation capabilities
• elements that better meet the needs of BT’s enterprise customers and global reach
• new technology to improve mobile access
• Consistency between 21CN and BT’s next generation access strategy. *

The main issue discovered by British Telecom and the Security Industry when testing Digital Communicators over simulated 21CN systems was a timing delay.

Within the new 21CN network these delay times cannot be guaranteed. A Digital Communicator (i.e. a monitored burglar alarm system) needs to be acknowledged within a specific time-frame. This acknowledgement or confirmation of delivery is known as a handshake or kiss off. If an acknowledgement is not received within a specific time by the Digital Communicator it won’t know that its message was received and it will dial again and again until all its attempts are used up.

The symptom of this is a call charge on the phone bill for every attempt e.g. instead of one event call costing X the phone bill may list ten events each costing X for every set, unset and alarm delivered to the ARC. Some Digis can dial up to ninety-nine call attempts before shutting down**

At Zodiac Security we are able to provide and install a piece of security equipment that will ensure that your existing digital communicator (and therefore your monitored burglar alarm) will continue to work correctly and efficiently all the time no matter if your local telephone exchange has been converted for the 21-CN upgrade.

So do not take the risk that your monitored burglar alarm will work when the change happens – contact Zodiac Security now to ensure that it definitely will.

Please be aware that you insurance cover may be affected if you do not ensure that your security system complies with this change.

* Paragraph taken from BT website

** Paragraph taken from CSL website

Thats right – you heard me – security is a grudge purchase

why’s that you say?

let me explain my first sentence.

Nobody ever wants a security system, you may need one but you never want a security system. You never wake up in the morning with excitement and anticipation thinking that you can’t wait to go out and buy the latest burglar alarm system. 

In an ideal world nobody would ever need security for their home or their business, everyone would get along nicely and there would be no theft, crime or burglary.

Unfortunatley this isn’t the case, due to peoples nature and criminal activities we often need a security system,  its never nice to have to pay for a system to protect your home or business so hence it being a grudge purchase!

another way to look at it is this;

if you had £500 in your pocket would you rather go out and buy a big television or a burglar alarm? Most people would pick the telly (if you picked the burglar alarm then please call me). The problem arises when people see your new big telly and the fact that you have no security system to protect it, they take it and you end up £500 poorer with no telly.

That’s why security is a grudge purchase – it will never make you money, it doesn’t do stuff and make noises like a telly or a games machine but it will make sure that it protects the goods you have spent your money on, making sure that you, your business and your family are protected and safe (which is priceless!).

So although a burglar alarm or security system may be a grudge purchase, its also an essential one – for home and work – act now before its too late.

Here are some simple tips and advice for protecting your garden and the areas around your home, simple ideas can go a long way to keeping the burglars at bay.

• Make sure your garden has the ability to be illuminated, this is usually carried out by a security floodlight, although a a total security lighting system can be installed to give you full control.
• Try to keep the main areas of your garden and driveway free of large objects, this ensures that you get maximum vision and the criminals have more potential exposure areas.
• Avoid large branches or objects that be climbed from being near any windows or potential entrance points, if a burglar sees an opening to his advantage they will take and use it.
• Makes sure that all tools and ladders are kept stored away and not left out in the open as these will be used by a burglar to gain access to your home.
• Makes sure your garage door is locked at all time, try to install an additional lock on the door, maybe a padlock that secures a clasp and bracket that is bolted to the floor, simple to install, cheap and very effective. It is very important to do this if your garage is attached to your house with an adjoining door, once the burglar is in they are hidden from view and has as long as they like. If you have a  burglar alarm consider excteding the system to include protection in the garage.
• Keep garden gates locked at all time, again preferably with a padlock.
• Fit a trellis or similar fence toppings on top of your fences. This makes it more difficult for burglars to climb into your garden without being noticed. combine this with legal, naturally spiky plants that will trp and scratch burglars.
• Never leave door keys under the doormat or under a plant pot or anyo other obvious hiding places outside. If you want to leave a key outside make sure it is left in a keylock that requires a code to gain access to the key. 

Guardcam

3 security systems in one – cctv, security floodlight and voice warning system.

CCTV at home? thats bit over the top and expensive isn’t it?

Not now it isn’t, with the all new Guardcam, an effective CCTV system for the home that provides three secutity deterrents in one, all for hundreds rather than thousands of pounds.

 Guardcam Domestic CCTV & Security Floodlight System pdf

Sounds Great tell me more about the Guardcam.

Guardcam

The Guardcam is a three in one security device featuring a security floodlight and PIR, a cctv camera and recorder and a voice warning unit. The features in more details are:

1. Eco friendly Grade C 230w halogen lamp
The Guardcam uses a low energy Grade C halogen lamp offering an equivalent to older Grade D lamps with lower running costs.

2. High resolution digital camera
GuardCam’s integral camera offers clear image recording in video or still frame format. Night images retain colour and clarity due to automatic halogen light illumination.

3. Built in DVR records directly to 2Gb SD card
Up to 750, twenty second video sessions or 1500 still images are recorded onto the supplied 2GB SD card. Oldest Images are deleted and overwritten as the card reaches capacity ensuring recent events are always available.

4. Time and date setting 
The time and date, once configured will remain within GuardCam ready to be applied to all recordings. In the event of mains power failure internal back up batteries ensure the settings are not lost.

5. Easy replay on Windows Media Player
GuardCam is supplied with an SD to USB converter. Simply remove the SD card from GuardCam insert into the converter and plug into your PC’s USB port. The recorded images can then be launched and stored using Windows Media Player or any other suitable media software.

6. PIR motion detector with integral photocell
GuardCam detects the presence of intruders with proven PIR (passive infra red) technology at a distance of up to 12 metres from the unit. A photocell is employed to ensure activation is restricted to day or night operation at the users discretion.

7. PIR sensitivity and time control
GuardCam’s PIR can be adjusted to provide the best coverage whilst avoiding false alarms from passing traffic, animals etc. The time control adjusts how long the halogen light will remain activated after the first trigger.

8. Audible alert speaker with choice of 3 warnings
GuardCam has the option to deliver one of three messages upon activation. “Warning you are tresspasing”, “Warning you are being captured on video” and finally a barking dog (more effective than you may think). There’s also the option to have no voice alert.

9. 3 mode selection
Mode selection allows you to choose the most suitable combination of GuardCam’s functions. Light plus video at night, sound plus video in the day etc.

10. Secure waterproof recording control panel
The important SD card and time date controls are secured behind a waterproof door only opened with the supplied allen key.

One of the requirements for a burglar alarm system (from an NSI approved company) is a yearly mantenance contract – this is an imporant service and is often an insurance requirement as well.

So what is it and what do i get?

in pure laymans tems its the equivalent of an MOT for your burglar alarm system, the service makes sure that everything is working as it should be, from checking the PIR movement detectors to the emergency standby batteries and the external siren – if its part of the burglar alarm system it gets checked.

This service is carried out at twelve monthly intervals – i.e once a year, this is increased to twice a year is your burglar alarm system is monitored with police response.

So what else do i get i hear you cry?

Well with Zodiac Security you also get the following if you are a cusomter with a maintenance contract:

• your yearly service visit (or two if monitored)
• 24 hour / 365 days a year telephone support
• 4 hour response times if you have a problem
• priority over non maintained customers

thats great!! but thats going to cost a lot isn’t it?

Its not as expensive as you might think, basic maintenance contracts for audible only security systems start from as little as £50.00 + VAT per year, thats less than a pound a week for 24/7 support.

Monitored burglar alarm systems start from £120.00 + VAT per year, thats just over 2 pounds a week!!!

So value for money, peace of mind & serviced security system – not bad value is it!!!

As often is a way in life, keeping things simple usually makes things work better. Here are some simple tips in how you can help to manage your burglar alarm system & prevent unnecessary false alarms:

10 POINTS TO REMEMBER:　

1. Make sure that only people who have been properly instructed operate the burglar alarm system.
2. Carefully close and secure all doors and windows before setting the burglar alarm system.
3. Checked that all movement detectors are not obstructed by any objects etc.
4. Do not allow sources of heat or sound, or permit moving objects in range of your movement detectors when the burglar alarm system is set. Check that there is no unstable stock, and ensure that no birds or stray animals are present in the protected areas.
5. Know the specified exit/entry route and keep to it when unsetting and setting the burglar alarm system. Do not enter other supervised/protected areas until the system is unset. 
6. Treat your security system with care and report all accidental damage, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel it is, to your security company.
7. Inform your security company of any changes in the building and storage of contents, which may affect the security system.
8. Remember your codeword (if applicable). If your burglar alarm system is one where the ARC (monitoring centre) telephones your premises after an activation signal has been generated, you will need to know your password, failure to say the correct passowrd may result in the Police / other keyholders being called. Do not set the system again after a false event until the fault has been determined and you are sure the incident will not happen again.
9. Make sure your regular maintenance checks, are carried out by your security company. Remember that repetitive false alarm activation’s may give result in withdrawal of police response.
10. Record all incidents and visits on a history events sheet or a supplied logbook. Check that all keys or code numbers are readily available and known before entry. 

as i said, all fairly simple and a matter of common sense really but stick to these tips and false alarm activations should be kept to a minumum.

So What is X-10? and how could it benefit me?

Simply put, X10 is a is a language or protocol that allows compatible products to talk to each other using the existing electrical wiring in the home. The units connect and communicate over the existing electrical wiring in your home or business property usually means that any additional wiring is kept to a minimum (if required at all) which in turn keeps the costs down as well as labour times are reduced. the modules can be manually operated via a controller or automatically using a compliant burglar alarm system.

Great i hear you say – but what can it do for me?

let me break it down into two examples – a simple X-10 situation and a slightly more complex and cleverer (is that a word?) situation;

Situation 1: Basic electrical operation

on weekdays mornings your burglar alarm system would automatically turn on the lighting in the required room (e.g. your bedroom) followed by the kettle so that the water was boiling for you when you walked downstairs.

when on holiday the burglar alarm could control your lighting to turn on and off as required, additional electrical devices you wanted to be active during that time (dependant on how many X-10 units you have)

So in this situation not only is the burglar alarm protecting your house whilst you are away, it is also providing a full visual deterrent by giving the impression that the house is occupied when it isn’t. Extremely simple, extremely effective and provides you with the peace of mind that you know that your house will be safe and the same as you left it.

Situation 2: Fully operation X-10 usage

Burglar alarms are fully flexible and by adding a gsm unit to the burglar alarm you can now fully control and automate your X-10 modules from anywhere in the world simply by sending a text to your burglar alarm – clever isn’t it!!

so lets give an example of how this could work for and benefit you.

Lets say you are about to leave work at 5pm (you wish) but just before you leave you could send a text to the burglar alarm system that will turn on your central heating and your emersion so that the house is nice and warm for you when you get back and there is plenty of hot water.

Another situtation could be that you are having a massive summer party at your house, as it gets a bit darker you could text your burglar alarm system to turn on the outside lighting so everyone could see properly, maybe even to see your centre peice warter feature that you has installed (that again you could turn on via text)

if its electrical then it can be operated via X-10 and your burglar alarm system, either manually or automatically – the only is how many things you want to control!!!

Make the most of your burglar alarm – feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need any advice

After a few issues with our old hosting – long story but essentially they managed to break and lose our old blog we are now going to start a new blog.

the blog will include latest security news, security tips and occasionally guest posts from people related to the industry.