1 Password vs Passcode What is the Difference?

Overview Why am I Viewing This? What is a False Alarm? Information for Alarm Users –What is Your Identity Password? –The Secret Code –Forgot Your Code? Contact Your Alarm Company –Entry/Exit Passcode vs. Password What Can My Alarm Company do to Help Me? 2

User Error Examined 19.50% of User Errors resulting in a dispatch are due to authorized Entry without Code 3

What is a False Alarm? Notification of an alarm to law enforcement when the responding authority finds no evidence of criminal offense or attempted criminal offense So what does that have to do with a “Password”? 4

Goal 5 Alarm CompanyCustomer Alarm is activated “Red Sox” “What is your Password?”

Identity Password When an alarm activation occurs –The alarm company calls –The operator asks “What is your Password” Few customers will answer correctly on the first try 6

Reality 7 Alarm CompanyCustomer Alarm is activated “Oh, it’s Red Sox” “Oh, it’s Red Sox” “What is your Password?” “ ” “Not the disarm code, the password

Secret Code When your alarm system was installed –You chose a secret entry/exit code –The sequence of numbers (usually 4 digits) –You enter this into the keypad to arm or disarm your system. You probably selected a number that was: –Easy to remember –For you and others who would be using your system. 8 I can remember our first date, August 15 th “ ” I can remember our first date, August 15 th “ ”

Authorized User Authorized User The entry/exit code cannot identify you as an authorized user to the alarm monitoring company, because it is not on file with them. 9 The Identity Password is the word you gave the alarm company when you had the alarm system installed. It should be familiar to you and easily recalled. We went to a “Red Sox” game “0815”

Pop Quiz 10 Alarm CompanyCustomer Alarm is activated “What is your Password?” If you were asked, would you know yours?

Forgot Your Code? Contact Your Alarm Company –They want to help you –They want you to be safe and secure The arm/disarm Code is not on file with them –Unless you call and add it to the account The Password IS on file with them –Keep the word simple so it is easy to remember 11

If you Give Them a Key Make sure everyone who has access to your home is familiar with your alarm system –Visitors, family, child care givers, domestic help, real estate agents –Show them how to arm/disarm Contact your alarm company to tell the alarm company all the names and associated passwords –Assign each person their own personal passcode/password –You can have it removed when it is no longer needed 12 Give Them Both: Arm/Disarm Code AND a Password Your Arm/Disarm Code is 0155 Your Password is “Domestic”

Recap Keep your Monitoring Center’s Phone Number in an easy to find place –Do not post the arm/disarm code and Password by the panel or with the Alarm Company phone number Make sure everyone who has access to your home or business: –Has a valid arm/disarm Code to turn on and off your alarm system –Has the Password used to identify themselves to your alarm company as a valid alarm user Knowing this difference can save precious minutes in an emergency situation and prevent costly false alarms. 13

14 Contact Information False Alarm Reduction Association Vanderbilt Circle #4 Rockville MD,