How to Test Intrusion Detection Systems

Intrusion detection systems, more commonly referred to as burglar alarms, are devices that are meant to alert authorities whenever security has been breached. It's important that once the system is installed, it's periodically tested to make sure that it's working properly. For this all you need are the technical personnel who set up the alarm and a volunteer to try and breach the security to make sure the alarm is doing its job.

Things You'll Need

• Alarm system

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Instructions

• 1

  Arm the intruder detection system. Make sure that everything is in its proper place and that the system is ready to detect intruders.

• 2

  Have someone breach the security system. Obviously you don't want to break the windows or smash open doors, but you should have someone enter without putting in the proper security code or have your volunteer put in an incorrect code a number of times to test that the security system will lock down after a certain number of wrong entries.

• 3

  Observe the reaction of the security system as you're testing it. If you come across an anomaly, such as the alarm not going off when a door is opened without the proper password, examine what's wrong with that area. If all areas operate normally, then the intrusion detection system is working just fine.