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5 Features of the Best Smart Home Alarm System

Posted on by Alarm New England

In the rapidly evolving landscape of smart home technology, security remains a top concern for homeowners. Smart home alarm systems have emerged as a robust solution to safeguard homes and provide peace of mind. These systems integrate cutting-edge technology with user-friendly interfaces, revolutionizing the way we protect our places of residence. Below are five key features that define the best smart home alarm systems:

1. Real-time Mobile Alerts and Notifications

One of the standout features of the best smart home alarm systems is their ability to provide real-time alerts and notifications directly to your mobile device. Whether you’re at home or halfway around the world, you’ll receive instant updates if any suspicious activity is detected. This feature allows homeowners to respond promptly to potential threats, alerting authorities if necessary. Advanced systems even offer customizable notifications, enabling you to choose the specific events that trigger alerts, such as a door being opened or motion detected in a particular room.

2. Intelligent Sensors and Detection

Modern smart home alarm systems are equipped with intelligent sensors that go beyond traditional motion detectors. These sensors utilize a variety of technologies, including infrared, ultrasonic, and even video analytics, to accurately detect unauthorized entry or unusual activity. Some systems can differentiate between pets and intruders, preventing false alarms. Moreover, the integration of AI and machine learning enhances the system’s ability to adapt and improve over time, refining its detection capabilities based on user feedback and historical data.

3. Remote Monitoring and Control

The convenience of remote monitoring and control sets the best smart home alarm systems apart. Through dedicated mobile apps or web interfaces, homeowners can monitor their property in real-time, arm or disarm the system, and access live camera feeds from anywhere. This feature is particularly useful for those who travel frequently or want to keep an eye on their home while at work. The ability to remotely control the system empowers users to respond swiftly to changing circumstances and ensure their home’s security at all times.

4. Integration with Smart Home Ecosystems

Seamless integration with other smart home devices is another characteristic of top-tier alarm systems. The best systems can communicate and collaborate with various devices such as smart doorbells, locks, lights, and thermostats. This integration enables a holistic approach to home security, where actions triggered by the alarm system can lead to responsive measures from other devices. For instance, if an alarm is activated, the system can automatically turn on the lights and lock all doors, deterring potential intruders.

5. Backup and Redundancy

Reliability is a cornerstone of effective home security, and the best smart home alarm systems are designed with redundancy in mind. These systems often incorporate backup power sources and multiple communication channels to ensure continuous operation even in the face of power outages or network disruptions. Cellular connections and battery backups guarantee that the system remains active and connected when other infrastructure fails. This level of preparedness is essential to maintain the integrity of the security system under all circumstances.

Ever-Improving Home Security Technology

The home security landscape has been significantly transformed by the advent of smart home alarm systems. These systems offer a range of features that work in harmony to provide robust and convenient security solutions. Real-time alerts, intelligent sensors, remote monitoring, integration with other smart devices, and backup mechanisms all contribute to making these systems stand out. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated and effective iterations of smart home alarm systems, further enhancing our ability to protect what matters most.

Biometric Access Control: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Posted on by Alarm New England

In the ever-evolving landscape of security technology, biometric access control has emerged as a cutting-edge solution that promises to revolutionize the way we protect our places of business. This technology, which utilizes unique physical or behavioral traits for authentication, has gained substantial attention across the access control industry. However, like any innovation, biometric access control comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of Biometric Access Control

  • Enhanced Security

One of the most significant advantages of biometric access control is its unparalleled security level. Unlike traditional methods such as passwords or keycards, biometric traits like fingerprints, iris patterns, or facial features are nearly impossible to replicate. This dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorized access and identity fraud.

  • Convenience and Speed

Biometric authentication eliminates the need to remember complex passwords or carry physical tokens. Users can gain access simply by presenting their unique traits, making the process nearly effortless. With most biometric access control, all you need to bring is yourself.

  • Non-Transferable

Unlike keycards or passwords that can be shared or stolen, biometric traits are inherently tied to the individual. This non-transferable nature ensures that only authorized personnel can access restricted areas.

  • Accuracy and Reliability

Biometric systems offer a high level of accuracy and reliability. False positives and false negatives are minimized due to the uniqueness of the biometric traits being used. This accuracy contributes to a robust and dependable security infrastructure.

  • Audit Trails

Biometric access control systems often come equipped with audit trail capabilities. This means that administrators can monitor and track who accessed a particular area and when, providing a valuable tool for security and accountability.

Cons of Biometric Access Control

  • Initial Costs

Implementing biometric access control systems can come with a significant upfront cost. The technology itself, along with installation, training, and integration, can strain budgets, especially for small businesses or organizations.

  • Privacy Concerns

Collecting and storing biometric data raises privacy concerns. Individuals may be hesitant to provide such sensitive information, fearing its misuse or potential data breaches.

  • Technical Challenges

Biometric systems can face technical challenges. Factors like environmental conditions (lighting, cleanliness, etc.) can affect the accuracy of recognition. This may lead to instances of legitimate individuals being denied access or unauthorized access being granted.

  • Scalability

With biometric systems, scalability can be a concern for larger organizations. Managing a database of biometric templates for a vast number of employees or users can become complex.

  • False Rejections

Although biometric systems strive for accuracy, instances of false rejections can occur. Factors like changes in appearance (hairstyle, facial hair, etc.) can lead to the system failing to recognize authorized users.

  • Lack of Universality

Not all biometric traits are universal. Some individuals might have physical conditions that prevent certain biometric methods from being effective, limiting the inclusivity of the system.

Biometric access control technology offers a compelling solution for enhancing security and convenience across various domains. Its robustness, accuracy, and non-transferable nature are appealing features, yet the associated costs, privacy concerns, and technical challenges cannot be overlooked. Businesses and organizations considering the adoption of biometric access control must carefully weigh these pros and cons to determine if the technology aligns with their security objectives and resources. As the technology continues to evolve, addressing these challenges could pave the way for an even more secure and efficient future.

Want to learn more about access control? Here are the 12 steps to the access control installation process.

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3 Best Local Alarm Companies in Connecticut – 2025 | Best Home Security Systems CT

Posted on by Alarm New England

How do you know which provider offers the best security system for your home?

Sifting through the various alarm providers at your disposal is exhausting work.

And who knows if you are making the best choice in the end?

Choosing a local home security company can be overwhelming, which is why we did the research for you.

Here are the top three local alarm companies in Connecticut we recommend.

Alarm New England

alarm companies in ct

Alarm New England has been serving the Connecticut community for many years, and the brand is one of the most reliable in the region. Alarm New England uses equipment from Qolsys and Alarm.com.

CALL ALARM NEW ENGLAND FOR A FREE QUOTE TODAY – (857) 445-4010

Price

Payment options are pretty flexible with this local alarm company. Customers can go for a monthly plan or commit themselves to a three-year contract.

Alarm New England also offers a 100-day satisfaction guarantee on residential systems.

Features and Equipment

Alarm New England has a modern home security system with all of the latest features. The basics include remote access, home integration, and a UL-approved monitoring station. As for technology integrations, Alarm New England’s equipment works well with both Amazon Alexa and Z-Wave.

Customers also have the choice between installing their security system themselves or hiring a professional.

Alarm New England’s equipment uses Qolsys hardware. The IQ Panel 2’s easy interface is a much-appreciated feature. It has a 7-inch HD touchscreen, wireless radios, and a built-in 5-megapixel camera. The home security system also grants customers remote access to smart devices in the home. The touchless disarming feature, along with the glass break detector, are desirable features for homeowners as well.

Beyond monitoring the home, the company offers an array of features that ensure environmental protection. The hardware can detect a change in temperature, carbon monoxide, smoke, and flooding, among other things.

Homeowners can also find peace of mind knowing there is a panic button in case of an emergency.

Another advantage homeowners have when choosing Alarm New England is the ability to reallocate their existing security system. The system allows for security coverage throughout the country, even with different service providers.

Customer Service

This local alarm company in Connecticut delivers outstanding customer service. It is one of the main reasons homeowners choose to do business with Alarm New England.

Customers don’t need to worry when they find themselves in an emergency. Alarm New England’s staff is quick to respond. They also have thorough product knowledge. All of this makes for a positive customer experience.

Pros

  • Excellent customer service
  • Monthly options available
  • Plans start at $31.99 per month
  • The ability to reuse existing equipment

Cons

  • Available only in New England
  • Only professional installation

FAST AND FREE SECURITY SYSTEM QUOTE – (857) 445-4010

Standard Security Systems

alarm providers

Standard Security Systems is a division of Standard Oil Connecticut and has been designing and installing customized security equipment for decades. The local alarm company also provides customers with 24/7 monitoring services. Standard is a familiar name when it comes to home security systems CT.

Price

Standard Security Systems offers little information about pricing online because individual security systems are customized to meet each homeowner’s needs. Rather than provide quotes over the phone, a sales rep evaluates the property on site.

Monthly plans start at $29.95 per month for landline monitoring with a minimal upfront cost. New customers that sign a monitoring contract can benefit from a $0 special.

Features and Equipment

Standard Security Systems uses Honeywell equipment for its comprehensive alarm system. Although it covers all the basics, it is somewhat outdated.

As a result, some more advanced features and integrations might be unavailable. However, the company does provide 24-hour monitoring, smarter energy savings, and the ability to lock and unlock doors remotely.

Through their mobile app, Standard Security Systems offer home automation and monitoring services. The company also assists homeowners with installation and repairs, as well as security system training.

Customer Service

Standard Security Systems has many positive reviews from customers online. Clients appreciate the helpfulness of the staff and affordable prices. The customer service team is generally quick to respond to inquiries and complaints.

In the past, there had been issues with some false alarms being raised from the security system. However, they have been resolved.

Pros

  • Around-the-clock monitoring services
  • Customizable security systems
  • Many options in equipment and integrated technology

Cons

  • $30 per month landline monitoring
  • Lacks some transparency with pricing
  • Quotes aren’t given over the phone
  • Five-year contract

ADT

hartford connecticut home security

ADT is one of the largest and most recognizable home security companies in the world. It has been keeping homeowners safe since 1874.

Home Security Systems CT Price

When it comes to checking for pricing information, ADT’s website might disappoint you. It doesn’t display the costs of its plans, and some customers have been caught by surprise with additional fees and pricing increases.

However, ADT does offer free equipment in some of the more basic packages. Clients should note that the older technology used has fewer features than modern security systems.

What we do know is that packages range from $28.99 to $58.99 per month. Customers can choose between four different packages. Although there is no equipment starting cost, ADT charges an installation/activation fee of $99.

ADT also offers a 90-day limited warranty. As for its cancelation policy, customers can end a contract early, but it will require paying 75% of the balance of the three-year term.

Features and Equipment

With a basic plan, ADT will provide customers with a wireless control panel and window and door sensors. Other monitoring equipment and technology is sold separately at an additional cost.

Customers do not have the option of self-installation. They must have their ADT security system professionally installed.

ADT has a reliable technology integration that is easily accessible through mobile apps. Customers can receive alerts in real time and have live surveillance and remote access to their home security system.

The company also provides a 24-hour monitoring service.

Customer Service

ADT has sold unsecured equipment to customers in the past, resulting in a $16 million class-action lawsuit in 2018. Many unsatisfied customers have left negative reviews online. The main complaints are the tardiness of sales reps and long waiting times over the phone.

As a result, ADT still has room for improvement in customer service.

Pros

  • Money-back guarantee
  • Pulse app
  • Affordable installation fees
  • Large company

Cons

  • Slow response time for customer service
  • No monthly contracts
  • Poor reviews from customers

The 3 Best Local Home Security Systems CT

Those are our picks for the 3 best alarm companies in CT for 2025. For more details and an in-depth description of service, you can see more from Alarm New England here.

For questions, Alarm New England can be reached at (857) 445-4010 or sales@alarmnewengland.com.

Welcome Eastern Security Systems Customers

Posted on by Alarm New England

Welcome to the Alarm New England family! We are a local and family-owned company with offices in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Our teams of technicians, service, and support personnel will work hard to be sure you are satisfied.

One thing that was very important in this transition is that nothing changes for you, our valued clients. Your monthly rate will not change, your monitoring center will not change, your contract terms will not change. We are proud to say the amazing staff of Eastern Security Systems you have come to know over the years will be staying on to serve you – as will Frank Simeone!

We will be joined by the 100 dedicated employees of Alarm New England to provide you with the best service our industry has to offer.We look forward to getting to know you. In the meantime, if you need anything at all, please contact us at: 857-445-4010.

Please take a look around our site! We offer affordable solutions to help get you get rid of phone lines, control the system via an app or add cameras and smart home automation to your system. If you need anything at all, please click below to let us know how we can help!

Contact Us

About Alarm New England, Inc.

Founded in 1972 by Douglas Curtiss, Alarm New England, headquartered in Rocky Hill, CT, is one of the largest privately owned security companies in the Northeast. The company provides intrusion detection, fire alarm, video surveillance and access control products and services. With offices throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Alarm New England offers a network of resources, utilizes leading technology and provides a strong commitment to customer service.

Learn More About Alarm New England

Types of Access Control Systems

Posted on by Alarm New England

Access control is necessary for protecting your business from unauthorized visitors. In addition to providing protection, access control systems bring a host of benefits to help you manage access to areas in your business. There are several main types of access control systems, and each works differently to authorize and control visitors’ and employees’ access to what they need.

access control project

Types of Access Control Systems for Your Needs

Access control systems must meet all security needs regarding allowing employees and visitors access to your commercial facility. Your ideal access control type is dependent on your property’s safety and security requirements, as well as the people you intend to involve in your business.

All access control systems create a record in the system’s database when someone uses an access card or other method to enter and exit the premises or access digital resources. The way the owner or system administrator assigns permissions and gives access to employees and other people differs depending on the system type.

Some access control systems are more restrictive while others are more lenient in granting permissions. Many systems are based on the principle of least privilege, which dictates that employees should have no more than the minimal permissions required to perform their job duties adequately.

These strict principles allow employees access to only the exact tools and resources they need for their position and nothing else. Consider the following options when installing an access control system for your business.

access systems install

Discretionary access control

With a discretionary access control (DAC) system, the company owner determines who can access a particular location. This system also manages access to digital files and other resources. When an employee tries to enter through a particular access point, whether a digital or physical location, the DAC system checks against the list of people who have access and grants it by comparing it to the scanned fingerprint, card, or another form of identification.

DAC has its advantages of being flexible and easy to use, but it requires the owner to manage access actively. It also gives complete access to only one user over all other permissions, which owners can abuse when the permissions provide access to other programs.

Mandatory access control

Also called managed access control, mandatory access control (MAC) is a highly secure access control system standard in companies where confidentiality is necessary. Company owners do not control who has access to classified information or a restricted location, but they can access the MAC system. A system administrator sets all permissions for door entry, which prevents the wrong people from changing permissions and accessing information they don’t have the authority to see.

Mandatory access control is most popular with confidential military data due to its restrictive characteristics. The system sorts everyone who will use the program and either grants or denies access based on the criteria set by the system administrator. That said, the downside with this system is that the system administrator must permit the changes to the access control settings.

Role-based access control

A fast, new system for managing access control in a business is role-based access control (RBAC). Company owners create job titles within the system and assign specific permissions to each job, giving new access more quickly and easily, especially when employees change positions. Users must confirm their role in the system to gain access.

RBAC ensures that those who do not have the proper knowledge cannot perform tasks that require more experience than they have. When an employee gets a promotion, company owners can change their RBAC system role rather than wasting time assigning specific permissions to them. This is incredibly convenient due to the limited amount of time required to alter physical entry permissions or give access to programs for certain company positions.

Rule-based access control

Customization among access control systems is essential in providing the flexibility you need to protect your property, employees, and guests. Rule-based access control adds another layer of specificity to access control. System administrators set rules that determine when and how employees access locations and resources.

Combining rule-based and role-based access control is common to add further access restrictions that narrow permissions down to specific details. While role-based access control allows certain types of employees access on account of their job, rule-based access control can define other conditions such as hours of access.

Attribute-based access control

Another popular and easy-to-use system, attribute-based access control (ABAC) focuses on providing access based on user characteristics. Like rule-based access control, ABAC doesn’t involve employee roles and instead focuses on other factors, including location and group, to allow the system to grant access to employees.

Company owners can assign different types of attributes to employees, such as:

  1. Resource attributes: File names, file owners, and other digital characteristics
  2. Subject attributes: Department, group, security clearance level, and personal characteristics
  3. Action attributes: Characteristics involving how someone wants to act in order to access a resource
  4. Environmental attributes: External and contextual attributes such as visitor access time or company policies

Identity-based access control

Identity-based access control (IBAC) bases access control permission off of biometrics. Fingerprints and face structure are unique ways to give an individual access to areas within a business. Because face structure, fingerprints, and eye patterns are specific to each person, an IBAC system creates a simple way to control access without the chance of mistaken identity.

Smartphones, touchscreen systems, face scanners, touchpads, and more allow biometrics to form the basis for security at your business. Access control systems with video cameras and biometric detection give double assurance that customers will not have access to employee-only areas and that employees will have access solely to their assigned areas.

Choosing a Type of Access Control for Your Needs

Whether you live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island, Alarm New England can help you decide which type of access control is right for your security needs. Call a security specialist at 857-445-4010 to discuss your requirements for an access control system you can trust.

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