While we usually prefer deterrents that physically block a would-be thief, some people like the idea of using an alarm device that calls attention to anyone who tries to take a piece of equipment when the alarm is armed.

There are a number of equipment alarm strategies. These include:

	Fiber-optic cable systems (such as Phazernet) that set off an alarm (or activate a central station system) when a cable or connection is broken.
	Alarm devices that activate when power is removed from a PC, either using an external sensor or an internal board (such as the Wobbler™).
	Motion detectors that are set off by a mercury switch when a piece of equipment is moved (such as Sonic Shock™ and Sonicpro™).

Alarm devices sometimes present problems. They are only effective when they are activated; in most cases, they rely on batteries, which must be kept fresh; and false alarms lead people to ignore them even when activated, as anyone who hears a car alarm in New York City will tell you.

However, alarms do offer you another line of defense for protecting your valuable assets.

Equipment can also be protected with a reliable equipment theft alarm, such as the Sonic Shock.  Many such alarms have a high false alarm rate or are “toys.”  The Sonic Shock is the most reliable and well built device of its kind. 

For additional information on equipment alarm strategies, please contact us or E-mail Colleen Ritter at c.ritter@pc-security.com