High-tech security puts owners in control

Once satisfied with residential security systems that sounded an alarm or notified local police and fire departments when there was trouble at home, consumers are turning to wireless and Internet broadband technologies that are expanding capabilities and choice.

The latest trends in home security systems are shifting an ever-increasing share of the burden of home protection and safety to interactive technology.

When vacationing with his family in Denmark this summer, Doug Phillips knew when the front door of his Vienna, Va., home was opened. He received an e-mail notification on his hand-held Blackberry personal communication system.

Mr. Phillips says he was monitoring the neighbor’s daily care of his three young children’s beloved hamsters, with technology that doubles as a residential security system.

He subscribes to a service provided by Alarm.com.

Headquartered in McLean, the company uses two-way wireless technology and on-site data-mining sensors to monitor activity in the home.

Subscribers access Web-based accounts to review detailed activity reports and manage their system.

As a mother of 5-month-old twins, Mary Knebel says she “really started getting the value out of the system as a new mother.”

She is able to work and “keep an eye” on things at home, with sensors mapping the activity of her au pair and children.

Ms. Knebel is also the vice president of business development for Alarm.com.

“There is a tremendous demand for this system as consumers are getting rid of their traditional telephone lines and moving to wireless phones and voice over Internet protocol,” Ms. Knebel says.

Traditional security systems use telephone lines to make contact with monitoring services.

Ms. Knebel says the “always on” wireless system gives consumers the option of e-mail or telephone notification — directed to whomever they designate.

After a decade of using the traditional telephone-line-based system, Mr. Phillips said, he made the leap to wireless technology for more flexibility and remote access.

“I know immediately when an alarm is triggered and where it is triggered,” Mr. Phillips says.

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