A remote control for a monitoring system of a building comprising: a mobile device having a plurality of communication channels (110a-110d) and a media storage area; and an application stored in the media storage area and configured to communicate with a control panel of the monitoring system, wherein the application dynamically selects a communication channel to establish a communication link (115a-115d) with the control panel based on a predetermined hierarchy, and the application is configured to operate in one of a plurality of modes based on the communication channel selected; characterized in that each of the plurality of modes is associated with one or more of the communication channels of the mobile device; and the plurality of modes include: a first mode associated with a Bluetooth connection, a private Wi-Fi connection, or a local radio frequency channel, the first mode allowing a user to arm and disarm the security input devices of the monitoring system and to adjust settings related to the other input devices integrated into the monitoring system, the first mode further providing emergency operation to the user and/or allowing the mobile device to function as a key fob; a second mode associated with a public Wi-Fi connection, a data network connection, or a server, the second mode allowing the user to arm and disarm the security input devices as well as to adjust other settings of the monitoring system similar to the first mode; and a third mode associated with a cellular network connection including GSM or a short message service, the third mode providing the user with limited access to the monitoring system and allowing the user to perform only very basic operations, such as arming and disarming the security input devices. a mobile device having a plurality of communication channels (110a-110d) and a media storage area; and an application stored in the media storage area and configured to communicate with a control panel of the monitoring system, wherein the application dynamically selects a communication channel to establish a communication link (115a-115d) with the control panel based on a predetermined hierarchy, and the application is configured to operate in one of a plurality of modes based on the communication channel selected; characterized in that each of the plurality of modes is associated with one or more of the communication channels of the mobile device; and the plurality of modes include: a first mode associated with a Bluetooth connection, a private Wi-Fi connection, or a local radio frequency channel, the first mode allowing a user to arm and disarm the security input devices of the monitoring system and to adjust settings related to the other input devices integrated into the monitoring system, the first mode further providing emergency operation to the user and/or allowing the mobile device to function as a key fob; a second mode associated with a public Wi-Fi connection, a data network connection, or a server, the second mode allowing the user to arm and disarm the security input devices as well as to adjust other settings of the monitoring system similar to the first mode; and a third mode associated with a cellular network connection including GSM or a short message service, the third mode providing the user with limited access to the monitoring system and allowing the user to perform only very basic operations, such as arming and disarming the security input devices. a first mode associated with a Bluetooth connection, a private Wi-Fi connection, or a local radio frequency channel, the first mode allowing a user to arm and disarm the security input devices of the monitoring system and to adjust settings related to the other input devices integrated into the monitoring system, the first mode further providing emergency operation to the user and/or allowing the mobile device to function as a key fob; a second mode associated with a public Wi-Fi connection, a data network connection, or a server, the second mode allowing the user to arm and disarm the security input devices as well as to adjust other settings of the monitoring system similar to the first mode; and a third mode associated with a cellular network connection including GSM or a short message service, the third mode providing the user with limited access to the monitoring system and allowing the user to perform only very basic operations, such as arming and disarming the security input devices.