Over the last few years, the security industry, for both home security systems and business security systems has seen a remarkable evolution in security products and features, mainly relating to advances in technology that allow you to better monitor your security system from anywhere, and from virtually anything.
2018 looks to continue the trend of exciting, and accessible, security features that you can use to protect your property and loved ones better. Below we’ve compiled a few of the products and services we think will make a big impact on security systems this year.
Homeowners Will Get More Selective With Home Security Providers
Research and Markets, a leading market research firm, predicts that the market for home security products will reach $51.5 billion by 2022. As with any surge in market demand, new companies will be born to rise up and try to satisfy consumer demand. However, the home security space is unique in among the many providers of consumer goods.
When selecting a home security provider, you need to find a company that not only has a solid reputation for security services, but also a long, stable history of supplying home security monitoring and maintenance. You don’t want to enter into a multi-year contract with an unproven security provider who could be out of business before your contract ends or comes up for renewal. Consumers should look for home security providers that have a proven track record of stellar customer service and enough market saturation to sustain future growth.
Video Monitoring Will Become a Standard in Home Security and Less of a Luxury
Video monitoring is nothing new. Home security systems are often packaged with high-definition video capture and streaming products to provide greater protection than simple sensor-based systems of the past. Consumers now have the option to install video cameras internally, to monitor particular rooms or spaces within the home, as well as externally, to monitor access points and hidden areas around the home that could be entry points or access targets for potential thieves.
For years we’ve provided a number of cameras and camera systems, like our high-end, day/night cameras and DVRs and SkyBell doorbell, as options for new and current customers who want to see what’s going in or around their home at any time.
In 2018, we expect to install and monitor far more cameras and video security products to deter crime and keep home security and commercial security systems performing at all optimal safeguarding measures.
Video Alarm Verification Continues to Increase Emergency Response Times Over Simple Alarm Triggers
Late in 2016, we wrote about the benefits of video verification in alarm systems and how video capture benefits homeowners, business owners and law enforcement in different ways. One of the most eye-opening stats, however, was:
“With video verification, when a surveillance camera notices activity, the monitoring alarm center receives notice right away. A trained alarm center operator reviews the video footage, verifies what is transpiring, and reports it to the police right away. If the trained operator is watching a burglary in progress via video, it will be issued a higher priority. A burglary in progress is treated as a “priority 1,” by law enforcement. An alarm triggered without video verification is usually considered a “priority 3,” a much less important priority. The change in priority level from 3 to 1 means a much faster police response time. In the case of a tripped alarm, seeing is believing.”
In 2018, we think the proliferation of video cameras in security systems will only continue to increase the divide in response times for crimes-in-progress verified through video, and response times to possible crime-in-progress from traditional alarm sensor triggering.
Interested in learning how a new or updated alarm system can work for your home or business? Learn more about our services or contact us today to see how we can help.
With offices located in the shadows of Globe Life Park, Six Flags over Texas and AT&T (Cowboys) Stadium in northwest Arlington, Fortress Security was started in 2001 by an industry veteran with a passion for serving. What started then as a small, local company providing home security systems, has grown into a company employing dozens of Dallas-Fort Worth residents and protecting thousands of Texas homes and businesses.
Despite its growth, and recent designation as one of SD&I’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Security Companies, Fortress has remained in Arlington and has continued to provide top-notch security services from its home base.
How has Fortress impacted the Arlington home security community?
Fortress Security has left a wide footprint in economic growth for Arlington and the surrounding communities. In 2017, for example, Fortress continued to grow in both revenues and in a number of full-time employees. Year over year, Fortress enjoyed a 50% growth in revenue and a 40% growth in security system subscribers.
Additionally, Fortress has expanded its business offerings becoming a certified dealer of Honeywell, Savant, and MOBOTIX products.
The trending growth and expansion of product lines mean Fortress is armed and ready to serve residents and business owners through Dallas, Fort Worth, North and Central Texas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston for years to come.
Interested in learning how a Fortress security system can work for your home or business? Learn more about our services or contact us today to see how we can help.
Over the last few years, the affordability and widespread use of security cameras in home security systems have meant that more and more, home burglaries and property crimes are caught on tape. Criminals have fewer places to hide and have a hard time arguing their way out of a conviction when their face is on tape in the middle of a burglary or assault.
Security Cameras For Burglary Prevention
But, security cameras are not just useful in monitoring and recording crime, they also prevent burglaries from taking place before any damage is done.
According to urban.org, “surveillance camera systems can be a cost-effective way to deter, document, and reduce crime. Urban’s research has shown that in Baltimore and Chicago, cameras are linked to reduced crime, even beyond the areas with camera coverage. The cost savings associated with crimes averted through camera systems in Chicago saved the city over four dollars for every dollar spent on the technology, while Baltimore yielded a 50 cent return on the dollar.”
For homeowners, this means having strategically placed security cameras to see-and-be-seen inside and outside of your home can make your home an undesirable target for potential thieves. It’s not worth the risk to break into your home and get caught on camera when there’s another target a few streets over that’s not under constant camera surveillance.
Security Cameras for Monitoring Inside Your Home
Security cameras are useful for monitoring activity inside the home, too.
In the normal day-to-day, home security cameras can give you an extra set of eyes and ears around the house to help keep your family, and your property, safe. For families with kids, for example, cameras inside can mean that while you’re cooking dinner in the kitchen, you can also keep an eye on what the kids are doing in the playroom.
Or, for the more unusual and unfortunate events, cameras inside your home can let you know when someone is inside when no one is supposed to be there. Earlier this month, in San Diego, a couple away for the weekend on a camping trip, watched a break-in happen live on their phones when their security system’s app was triggered and began streaming footage of robbers inside their home.
And, security cameras are useful for monitoring activity outside the home. Well-placed external cameras can not only keep a homeowner more protected, but they can also improve the safety of your neighborhood.
Footage from security cameras can be used to identify vandals, car thieves, front-porch thefts and other crimes that occur on the streets or alleyways of many neighborhoods.
Don’t have cameras installed in your current system, or looking to upgrade to HD and other options? Fortress offers a range of cameras that are professionally installed and can be set up in just a few minutes, and usually the same day it’s requested. Give us a call or fill out a Contact form to speak with one of our reps today.
Over 60% of the homes in the U.S. have at least one pet. Whether you love dogs, cats, or chinchillas, the bond between us and our pets is a powerfully positive force in our lives. And of course, just like our homes and our human families, we want to protect our animal family members as well.
A professional, 24-7 monitored home security system is the best thing you can do to protect your home and family. If you’re a pet-loving household, then there are a few things to keep in mind when creating the right customized security solution for you. Read More »
