Testing Your Security Alarm System
Monday, May 18, 2009 17:59
Magnetic Switch
Most security alarm systems have magnetic switches or reed switches which are usually utilized as door contacts and to secure some types of windows. These sensors have been vulnerable to different attack methods for some time (Bypass Movie 1), but UL (Underwriters Laboratory) has recently changed the requirements for magnetic switches. This was done to make these switches harder to defeat. Underwriter Laboratories established a Level 2 which defined requirements to better protect the switch from being bypassed. You can read the requirements in UL 634 if you want to read the whole standard.
Currently, there does not appear to be many manufacturers of these switches that meet the Level 2 section of the standard, but that will change in the near future. Until then, I would recommend a couple of things. First, never depend on just one type of sensor. Always have a layered security approach where if one security measure is defeated, the additional layers of security should reduce the chance that the system will be defeated. Second, I would not spend the funds to replace your current sensors until you are ready to upgrade your security alarm system. This way you are not wasting valuable funds, and with a layered security approach you will not be depending solely on these contact sensors. Remember, even after upgrading the system, always depend on a layered security approach. Test your current switch sensors to determine if they can be easily defeated. If they can, you now are more aware of the situation and can be on the lookout for someone trying to beat your security system using the method noted in the above video. Another alternative would be to use recessed switches as noted in the picture. These switches are harder to defeat because they are recessed into the door or window frame and cannot be accessed easily. This type of recessed switch would be a good choice even when using the UL Level 2 switches. Please note that recessed switches are harder to defeat, but they do cost more because they are harder to install.
Recessed Switch
No security method is one hundred percent and given enough time and expertise, any security measure can be defeated. Even higher security magnetic switches, called Balanced Magnetic Switches can be defeated by a knowledgeable attacker (Bypass Movie 2). My point is that you should make entry as difficult as possible without spending more that what you are protecting is worth. For example don’t spend four thousand dollars on a security system to protect an asset worth only three thousand dollars. A good article and the above videos on this subject can be found on CNET.
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