A monitoring system including an individual signal unit and a central control facility; said individual signal unit adapted for connection to one or more external event sensors and one or more external output devices, said one or more external event sensors and said one or more external output devices selected from a plurality of standard external event sensors and external output devices; said central control facility configured to register said individual signal unit and said one or more external event sensors and said one or more external output devices; said individual signal unit configured to become activated by said one or more external event sensors; said individual signal unit configured for communication with said central control facility when an event sensor activates said individual signal unit; said central control facility configured to maintain an Internet web-based interface; said Internet web-based interface configured to interact with an applicant user to predefine a number of steps; said predefined steps including activation of said one or more output devices; said Internet web-based interface configured to receive data entry by said applicant user to effect registration and establishing protocols; said central control facility configured to execute according to said established protocols said number of predefined steps on receipt of a communication from said individual signal unit; wherein the monitoring system is configured so that events sensed by any one of said one or more external event sensors are communicated to said central control facility, the information as to what a receipt of these events by the central control facility means being supplied by and under the control of the registered owner of the individual signal unit and being stored in said central control facility, and wherein said monitoring system is configurable for service providers to provide services through said individual signal unit. said individual signal unit adapted for connection to one or more external event sensors and one or more external output devices, said one or more external event sensors and said one or more external output devices selected from a plurality of standard external event sensors and external output devices; said central control facility configured to register said individual signal unit and said one or more external event sensors and said one or more external output devices; said individual signal unit configured to become activated by said one or more external event sensors; said individual signal unit configured for communication with said central control facility when an event sensor activates said individual signal unit; said central control facility configured to maintain an Internet web-based interface; said Internet web-based interface configured to interact with an applicant user to predefine a number of steps; said predefined steps including activation of said one or more output devices; said Internet web-based interface configured to receive data entry by said applicant user to effect registration and establishing protocols; said central control facility configured to execute according to said established protocols said number of predefined steps on receipt of a communication from said individual signal unit; wherein the monitoring system is configured so that events sensed by any one of said one or more external event sensors are communicated to said central control facility, the information as to what a receipt of these events by the central control facility means being supplied by and under the control of the registered owner of the individual signal unit and being stored in said central control facility, and wherein said monitoring system is configurable for service providers to provide services through said individual signal unit.