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Intrusion Detection Glossary with motion sensor and shattered glass background
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Intrusion Detection
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Welcome to the Intrusion Detection Glossary, your reference guide for key terms, definitions, and concepts used in modern alarm and intrusion systems.  If you’re expanding your knowledge, explore our Access Control Glossary and Video Surveillance Glossary for more related terminology.  These resources are designed to help security professionals, integrators, and end users better understand the technologies shaping today’s security solutions.

Intrusion Detection Glossary

A complete A–Z reference of key intrusion detection terms for security professionals and integrators.

Intrusion Detection Glossary Terms and Definitions

A

  • Account Number/Receiver

    Unique ID and destination for monitoring.

  • Alarm Permit

    Municipal permit required to operate systems.

  • Alarm Verification

    Operator/video/AI confirmation before dispatch.

  • AlarmNet/Alarm.com

    Branded communications platforms for alarm transport/apps.

  • Arm/Disarm Schedules

    Automatic arming/disarming by time/day.

  • Audio Listen‑In

    Operator can listen to premises during alarms (with consent).
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B

  • Bypass/Shunt

    Temporarily disables selected zones.
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C

  • Panel triggers VMS bookmarks and pop-ups.

  • Cellular Communicator

    LTE/5G path to monitoring center; replaces analog lines.

  • Central Station Monitoring

    Third-party service receiving/dispatching alarms.

  • Control Panel

    Central unit supervising sensors and communications.

  • CP-01

    Control panel standard for false alarm reduction features.

  • Cross-Zoning

    Requires two zones to trip before alarm to reduce falses.
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D

  • Dual-Path (IP + Cell)

    Primary IP path with cellular backup for redundancy.

  • Dual-Tech Motion

    Combines PIR + microwave to reduce false alarms.

  • Duress Code

    Silent code that appears normal but signals distress.
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E

  • Early Warning Audio Analytics

    AI that classifies breaking glass/voices/shouts.

  • EAS Gate

    Anti-theft gate detecting tagged items in retail.

  • EN Grade 2/3

    European alarm grades indicating security level.

  • Encrypted Sensors

    Protects wireless links from replay/spoofing.

  • End-of-Line Resistor

    Supervises wiring integrity on hardwired zones.

  • Entry/Exit Delay

    Grace period for authorized users to enter/exit.

  • Environmental Sensors

    Water, temp, CO, gas sensors integrated to panel.

  • EOL Supervision Values

    Common resistor values (e.g., 2.2k, 3.3k, 5.6k).

  • Event Buffer

    Panel memory storing recent events for review.
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F

  • False Alarm Policy

    Local ordinance requirements for verification/fines.

  • Fence Detection Cable

    Microphonic/fiber cable sensing fence cutting/climbing.

  • Fiber Optic Perimeter

    Distributed acoustic fiber sensing along fences/ground.
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G

  • Geo-Fence Arming Reminders

    Mobile location triggers arm reminders.

  • Glassbreak (Acoustic)

    Microphone analyzes frequency pattern of breaking glass.

  • Glassbreak (Shock)

    Vibration sensor mounted on glass or frames.

  • Guard Tour Tags

    RFID/NFC tags for rounds with audit logging.
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I

  • Integration with VMS/Access

    Links alarms to cameras and doors for response.
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K

  • Keyfob

    Handheld arming/disarming device with panic buttons.

  • Keypad Lockout

    Blocks brute‑force PIN attempts after failures.

  • Keypad/Touchscreen

    User interface to arm/disarm and view status.

  • Keyswitch Arming

    Arm/disarm via keyswitch input for garages/shops.
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L

  • Line Seizure

    Panel takes control of POTS line for dialing (legacy).

  • Loop Response/Endurance

    Electrical characteristics affecting zone response.
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M

  • Magnetic Contact

    Door/window reed contact monitoring open/close.

  • Masking/Tamper Detection

    Sensor detects when view is blocked or spray-painted.

  • Microwave Motion

    Doppler radar sensor for motion; often paired with PIR.
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O

  • Outdoor Microwave Barrier

    Long-range microwave pair for perimeter lines.

  • Outdoor PIR

    Weatherized PIR with pet/immunity and anti‑masking.

  • Output Relay

    Triggers strobes/locks/other systems on alarm.
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P

  • Panic/Hold-Up Button

    Immediate alarm for duress situations.

  • Partition

    Logical subdivision allowing independent arming areas.

  • Perimeter vs Interior

    Design approach to secure shell then inside zones.

  • Pet Immunity

    Ignores small animal motion to avoid false alarms.

  • Photoelectric Beam

    Active IR beams across a perimeter; alarm on interruption.

  • Photoelectric Beam Tower

    Outdoor posts housing stacked IR beam pairs.

  • PIR Motion Detector

    Senses infrared energy changes from moving people.

  • Pulse Count

    Motion detector setting to reduce false triggers.
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Q

  • Queue/Buffer to Receiver

    Store-and-forward of events if path is down.
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R

  • Remote Firmware

    Update panel/devices over the air.
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S

  • Safe Contact

    Monitors safe door and bolt position.

  • Safe Tilt/Vibration Combo

    Combination sensor for safe tilt and attack.

  • Scheduling/Automation Rules

    If-thisâ then-that actions on events and time.

  • Security Fog/Gas

    Deters intruders by rapidly obscuring visibility (where legal).

  • Seismic Sensor

    Detects drilling/hammering on safes/ATMs/vaults.

  • Self-Monitoring App

    End-user app to receive push notifications and view status.

  • SIA DC/Contact ID

    Alarm reporting formats/protocols.

  • SIA False Alarm Reduction Features

    Standards for delays, cross-zones, confirmations.

  • Siren/Strobe

    Local notification devices to deter and inform.

  • Spread Spectrum FHSS

    Frequency hopping for robust wireless links.

  • Supervised Bell

    Monitored output circuit for siren integrity.

  • Supervision

    Ensures sensors report periodic check‑ins; detects tamper/failure.

  • Swinger Shutdown

    Stops repeated alarms from same zone within a period.
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T

  • Tamper Switch

    Triggers if device enclosure is opened/removed.

  • Test Mode

    Temporarily suppresses dispatch while testing.

  • Tilt Sensor

    Detects tilt or movement of equipment/vehicles.

  • Transmission Test Timer

    Periodic automatic test signals to monitoring.
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U

  • UL 2050

    National Industrial Security Systems standard (U.S.).

  • UL AA High Line Security

    High-security requirements for banks/jewelry.

  • ULC/UL 681

    Standards for installation in protected premises.
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V

  • Vibration Sensor

    Detects impacts on fences/doors/walls.

  • Video Doorbell Integration

    Ties chime/camera events into alarm panel/apps.

  • Virtual Tripwire (Video)

    Camera analytics define a crossing line alarm.
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W

  • Walk Test

    Technician mode to verify PIR coverage and LEDs.

  • Wireless Transceiver

    Connects wireless sensors to the panel.
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Z

  • Zone

    Defined input from a sensor or group of sensors.
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#

  • 4-Wire vs 2-Wire Zones

    Wiring styles for powered detectors.
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This [Focus Keyword Glossary] is part of our ongoing effort to provide educational resources for the security industry.  For deeper insights, check out our related blog posts such as Electronic Access Control Basics or Video Surveillance Best Practices.  If you have questions or want to explore product options, contact our team for expert support.

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