Do you want to leave home without worrying about the safety of your property? Go on visits, travel? Do you need to be sure that nothing happens to your store or warehouse when it is closed? Perhaps it’s time to think about installing a GSM security alarm.
Almost any alarm system is designed primarily to promptly detect unauthorized entry into a security facility. Security systems differ from each other in the way that they send alarm signals, the list of available functions and the possibility of emergency response to an intrusion. Moreover, each of them has the same tasks to ensure the safety of material assets and people safety.
Alarms based on the GSM module use a mobile communication channel to notify about a recorded event. If any of the sensors included in the circuit are triggered, the corresponding SMS message is immediately sent to the owner of the alarm kit. In this article we explain how it works in detail.
Content:
1. What is a GSM module?
2. How GSM alarm works?
3. GSM Alarm vulnerabilities
4. Emergency call
5. Integration with Smart Home systems
What is a GSM module?
To understand the principles of operation of modern signaling, we must first understand what role the GSM communication unit plays in it. In fact, it is a transmitter that exchanges information packets with the cellular operator’s network. The standard module includes:
• transceiver;
• radio signal amplifier;
• special radio frequency interface;
• electronic processor;
• memory block;
• several interfaces that support integration into the system.
GSM modules receive data via cellular operator networks and send SMS messages. Unlike other old generation 2G GSM modules which are currently sold at the market we instead use 4G European Union Bands modules which are the most preferable, reliable and may be used by every EU mobile SIM provider.
The settings are made so that all of the activity recorded by the sensors is immediately sent out to the owner of the protected object via an SMS.
How does GSM alarm work?
Alarm system based on mobile communications is relatively simple. Its main structure consists of the motion sensors, door and window opening sensors, which interact with the control panel, which has a built-in cellular communication module. Other essential features such as Smoke detectors, Water leaks and Household Gas can be connected to the control panel as well.
The main function of such alarm system presumes almost instantaneous transmission of the signal into SMS format to the smartphone or tablet of the protected object owner. In the system settings, you may specify a list of several recipients who will receive notifications about fire, water or gas leaks, or the activation of motion sensors.
Alarms based on GSM communication are called autonomous, because they inform only the owner about an emergency incident, without involving specialized monitoring and security services. The owner of the property who receives the message will need to decide which actions to take to protect their valuable property. They will have to independently call firefighters, repairmen or the police.
The contract for the design and installation of a GSM security alarm does not include the services of an alarm monitoring service and rapid response to threats, so the owner of the system will still have to call the fire service or the police themselves. On the other hand, the owner won’t pay for such expensive services monthly.
GSM Alarm vulnerabilities
When choosing an alarm system, people primerily focus on the ease of installation and relatively low price. Nonetheless regardless of the alarm location: in a warehouse, a store, a garage or in a private home, installation of sensors and installation of a control panel with a built-in mobile communication module is needed. Programming will be required as well. Sensors can be selected either wired or wireless.
It should be borne in mind that each set of equipment has its own weaknesses and, therefore, may not guarantee one hundred percent reliability.
Crucial things to aware of:
1. Robbers can use special devices to interfere with the passage of radio signals coming from sensors to the receiver of the GSM communication module. Such equipment is often used at important political and business meetings to prevent spyware. Using induced interference, it blocks the ability to transmit data in a wide range of frequencies.
This is not a common practice because the equipment is fairly expensive. Also, the operation of such systems will be quickly detected. The interference created will also affect neighbors. The fact that seQrell 4G EU GSM alarms are using more Bands than traditional 2G alarms provides a higher chance to transmit emergency SMS.
2. The sensors’ built-in batteries may become depleted as they have a finite amount of energy. Modern batteries can keep sensors operating for quite a long time. Nevertheless, their charge must be periodically checked and elements whose service life has expired must be replaced. Our service subscription option will keep you updated on-time.
3. In the most uncommon case, the SIM card of the GSM module or your smartphone can be duplicated and taken under control by experienced attackers with the appropriate skills. In such case, they will gain access to the system and, as a result, to your property.
For example, Cyprus is one of the 3 European countries (at the time of writing this article) which still uses 30 years old SIMalliance Toolbox Browser (S@T Browser) SIM. So, Cyprus SIM cards are vulnerable to Simjacker attack.
These attacks are mainly used to obtain Bank confirmation codes sent via SMS and card PIN codes. The attacker gains access to online banking, crypto wallets, accounts on Internet services and instant messengers. Nevertheless, we have not witnessed such cases.
4. The simplest and most common method is to de-energize the observed object. Cause in Cyprus power switches are publicly accessible on the wall of the house without any lock, an attacker can easily de-energize a large number of security systems even before entering the protected facility.
seQrell system has a built-in uninterrupted power source (chargeable battery) meaning that it immediately sends a corresponding signal to the owner in case of a power failure.
Installation of a video surveillance system quipped with uninterrupted power supply system will elevate your property to the next-level protection.
In this article we truthfully describe the disadvantages of GSM alarms. Despite that, GSM alarms are one of the best solutions for objects protection.
Our seQrell GSM alarms are among the best in the world.
Emergency call
We have provided for the possibility of increasing customer security. In the event of an attack, or a sudden deterioration in health, the SOS button can be utilized to urgently call for help. The button is located on the main unit, or can be in the form of a separate device for personal usage. After this, an SMS message asking for help is sent to a list of emergency contacts, pre-assigned by the client.
Integration with Smart Home systems
The active development and implementation of innovative technologies has opened up wide opportunities for combining alarm systems with Smart Home remote control systems. Today you can remotely control the locks of the entrance doors and entrance gates of a country house, turn on and off the lighting in its premises, regulate energy consumption and air temperature in it, water flower beds and lawns at a given time, open and close shutters or blinds, turn on and off household appliances through Smart sockets.
Thanks for reading.
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
Hello Amber, thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment.