Podcast: Residential security, how to evaluate the security system you buy.

Let's start by clarifying that a effective security system is not measured by what promises an advertising brochure, but by its actual performance against an attempt to intrusion.

The decisive thing is that physical resistance which offer doors, windows and their fixations, capable of delay the intruder and force him to make noise. In addition, the early detectionthe capacity of the system to alert before the door or window opensand the reliability of communication with the alarms receiving power stationwhich guarantees an immediate response.

Technical indicators to evaluate your residential security system.

Here we list the 10 indicators to be considered in the technical assessment of a safety system.

1. Coverage of all vulnerable access:The design must protect all possible access, both by walking and by moving in a crouched and rigged way to the walls, jumping between nearby buildings, climbing pipes, bars or using land elements. It should even be considered possible access through garden houses or containers and access by the decks in the city center buildings.
2. Physical resistance of at least 12 minutes:Doors, windows and blinds must resist at least 12 minutes in the face of attacks with hand tools at the most vulnerable point of the house. These minutes - evaluated with UNE1627 and UNE85160- should be increased depending on the time of police intervention in the area. The fixations of these elements to the structure of the building is key to the regulations and requires a responsible statement of the installer. They must cover the 16 attacks 
3. Early detection of intruders:The system must detect intrusion attempts with closed doors and windows, preferably with fully wired systems or at least 70% of the devices. It must include two protective rings: (1) an external ring for early detection and (2) an inner ring to confirm the advance of the intruder. These rings allow what is known as sequential detection and automatically activate a call to the alarm receiver and the user. To be effective, early detection must be
4. Smart automation of the security system.The system must allow automated routines which control housing security through a single application. This includes control of doors, windows, blinds, partial alarm activations, shelves and lights, providing comfort and security throughout the day.
5. Energy support for 60 hours:The system (including the communications router) must have an energy support that allows its continuous operation for 60 hours in case of a prolonged electrical cut.
6. Continuous monitoring by an alarms-receiving monitoring centre:The system must be connected to a double-track communication control centre mutually supervised, which ensures that communications are prepared in case of sabotage or failure.
7. Protection against cyber attacks:The security system must be protected by firewall or VPN, avoiding unauthorized access to the safety net and ensuring a secure connection to the alarm reception plant. The cyber attack is the most growing crime in Spain and already accounts for 20% of all crimes.
8. Image storage 24 / 7:If security cameras are available, the system must record the images on a continuous basis, allowing access to recordings at any time.
9. Suitable safe:For values above 10,000€, a UNE1143-grade 2 approved safe must be installed according to safety regulations (rule out safe boxes placed on the market in DIY stores). If the opening is delayed and with fire protection, the difficulty of theft is significantly increased and values are protected in the event of fire.
10. Fire and gas detection system:It is necessary to include a fire and toxic gas detection system connected to the control centre for permanent monitoring.

Security scale: at what level is your home?

Add a point for each fully completed indicator and check your level: Do not self-deceive.

• 1 to 3 points:Level 1 and 2. Poor security.
• From 3 to 5 points:Level 2-3. Acceptable but improved benefits depending on risk.
• From 5 to 7 points:Level 3. Middle level. Reasonable security. Good performance.
• From 7 to 8 points:Level 4. Very good performance.
• From 8 to 10 points:Level 5. Excellent security and performance.

Make the following reflections before hiring the security system.

Once the technical criteria for evaluation have been understood, it is appropriate to review the key concepts that support modern residential security, which GENOMA DEL ROBO promotes as a basis for comprehensive protection maintained over time.

The security company you choose makes the result conditional.

The security company is responsible for covering the four pillars of an intrusion safety study:

1. Evaluation.Safety is not measured in brochures, it is measured in minutes of resistance and in protective rings.
2. Design.A system can be certified and still insufficient for the risk of your home.
3. Measurement.If you don't know how many points your security system reaches, you don't really know what protection you have and you won't be able to assess if it's enough for the risk you have.
4. Installation.A company may be approved in private security, but that does not guarantee the quality of its work or the technical competence of its installers. The approval does not certify knowledge or good practice; it simply shows that the company is legally authorized to carry out the activity, not to do so with professional rigour.

The design and a professional installation, more important than the product brands.

It is not enough to acquire a residential security system that promises high performance on paper. What really makes the difference is how it is designed, installed, configured and maintained. 

The Court decisions recent confirm this: insurance companies are increasingly winning claims for theft against installation companies and alarm receiving plants. This reveals a structural lack of technical rigour and professional responsibility in much of the private security sector.

Therefore, in Genoma del Robo® We stress the importance of using accredited professionals who carry out a personalized risk assessment and certify the installation in accordance with international standards.

Maintain safety habits or automate the system.

When assessing a residential security system, remember that it must perform the three essential functions mentioned above: resist, detect in advance and report the attack. However, its real effectiveness depends not only on technology, but also on the Security routines of those who live in the house.

Actions as simple as lock doors and windows with key, activate alarm in unoccupied rooms or prevent plants and furniture from blocking detectors can make the difference between preventing or suffering a robbery. In fact, the methodology GDR identifies up to 96 safety habits that strengthen the daily protection of the home.

The problem arises when the human factor intervenes. If we are discrete people, or we live with several family members with different levels of commitment and perception of insecurity, the lack of coherence in habits drastically reduces the effectiveness of the system.

In these cases, automation becomes a key ally. Our recommendation is to integrate a system that synchronizes doors, blinds, lighting and alarm for security to function automatically and constantly. In this way, human errors are eliminated and the housing is guaranteed to be always protected, even when habits fail.

If you consider that you will not have constant safety habits, remember that automating your home is the smartest way to protect you from even your own forgetting.

You want to know the real level of protection of your home?

You want to know the real level of protection of your home? Contact our experts accredited to Genoma del Robo and discover how to achieve real and verifiable security.

José Luis Layón
Marbejer Security