What Exactly Is Cell Backup And Do I Need It For My Security System?
A recent wave of commercial break-ins has unveiled a brazen, knowledgeable criminal. Telephone lines have been cut which has effectively disabled the security system by causing a communication failure back to the monitoring station. In some cases, the entire panel was ripped out. Cell back-up provides backup communication paths for reporting of alarms in the event of a loss or cut of your primary communication line. It is recommended that every alarm system be equipped with a cell backup device.
How does cell backup work?
When the communication line is cut, a signal is immediately sent via the cellular line to the Monitoring Center telling operators that the phone line is down. Because the cell backup unit maintains constant communication with the Monitoring Station, operators are still able to monitor the facility, providing continuous information to the police department in the event of an actual alarm.
Preventative Measures
It is important that you determine where your telephone or broadband IP infrastructure cables enter your building. If you have any exposed cables, take immediate steps to secure them. It is also important to secure the room that houses the control panel or the brains of your security system. This box should be out of sight to your visitors and customers. You also want to make sure that the delay, or amount of time you are given to enter your building and disarm the system, is as minimal as possible. Remember, the longer the delay, the more time a criminal has to find your control panel and try to destroy the communication lines. Thirty seconds can be the difference between an alarm and an undetected burglary.
