The guiding principle here, say the experts, is to use the same degree of care used for every major business decision. These days you can get a lot. The most common electronic alarm system probably is the burglar alarm, designed to detect unauthorized intrusion into a building or area within it. Most burglar alarms systems sound an alarm and report to a central station. Large alarm companies often do their own monitoring.
Smaller ones contract out to third party central monitoring stations.
Intrusion is just one of many threats alarm systems can protect against. Alarms can sense fire emergencies, unacceptable levels of carbon monoxide and excessive water, moisture and humidity. They can allow a business to report an armed robbery or control access to specific areas or objects. Just as the computer industry has changed, so has the alarm company industry. Given these capabilities, the threshold issue is what type alarm system you need.