Your security system can have the most advanced sensors, cameras, alarms, and monitoring suite to bring it all together, but if it’s unable to communicate with the monitoring center when something goes wrong, you’re in trouble.

For professionally monitored commercial security systems reliable communication with the monitoring center is essential. When an alarm is triggered, the system must be able to transmit the signal quickly so the appropriate response can begin.

But internet connections and electricity are vulnerable to all kinds of different disruptions. Whether severe weather is headed your way, or your internet provider experiencing a blackout, your security systems connection can go down. This is when your business is at its most vulnerable.

Thankfully, backup communication systems can transform your security system into a network that maintains protection even if other infrastructure fails.

Weather and communication failures

The infrastructure that commercial security systems depend on, like power grids and internet connections or phone lines are vulnerable to extreme weather, aging, and potential deliberate attacks from outsiders. The frequency of major weather events are on the rise, “Drought has become more frequent, lengthening wildfire seasons in the Western states, and extremely heavy rainfall has become more common in the eastern states.” (NOAA).

Severe weather remains one of the leading causes of power outages throughout New England. Even brief power loss can disable internet routers. Depending on the outage, timelines for restoration can vary widely, based on utility priorities, infrastructure damage, and access to affected areas. Businesses may experience extended downtime while repairs are underway.

This is a critical time where your business is left extremely vulnerable to break-ins or damage. If a monitored system loses communication and no backup path is available, alarm signals may not reach the monitoring center. That can delay response and reduce visibility into what’s happening at the property. Depending how your video system is configured, connectivity outages may limit remote access to live video or cloud recordings during an incident.

How backup communications work

Backup communications create a second, parallel pathway for security signals. This new one, operates independently from your primary infrastructure and automatically takes over in the event that a failure occurs. The way that it works is similar to a cell phone.

During a power failure your security system will run using battery backups enabling your system to communicate with cellular networks completely independently from your internet and building electricity. The system connects to major cellular carriers. This way, your system automatically rolls-over to the backup, and you have communication during power loss.

UL listed monitoring centers also have their own redundant communication paths to receive signals in case their primary communication fails, and regular automated testing can ensure that backup systems are functional before they are ever needed.

Backup communications are essential

What was once viewed as an added layer of protection is increasingly becoming a best practice for businesses that rely on monitored security systems. In some industries (and for some fire and intrusion applications) backup communications may be required by insurers, AHJs, or code specifications.

Thankfully, over the past decade the cost and ease of installment backup has improved, so this solution is far easier to get up and running for your business. When trying to find a security provider, ask about their cellular backup options. Reputable providers will strongly recommend, or include backup communications as standard.

The question businesses should ask isn’t whether they can afford backup communications, it is whether they can afford to operate without them in case of an emergency or break-in. When networks are down, power is out, and your business is at its most vulnerable, backup communications ensure that the alarm signal still reaches a monitoring center and help still arrives.

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