Intrusion Detection Systems Flashcards

What is 'alarm fatigue' and how does it negatively impact physical security operations?

Answer: Desensitization of operators to alarms due to high false alarm rates, causing genuine alarms to be ignored

Alarm fatigue occurs when excessive false alarms cause security operators to become desensitized, leading to slower response or complete disregard of alarms — including genuine intrusion events.

Which detection technology is MOST appropriate for detecting an intruder who has defeated the outer perimeter but is moving very slowly to avoid triggering motion sensors?

Answer: Thermal imaging camera with video analytics

Thermal cameras detect the heat signature of the human body regardless of movement speed — unlike Doppler (requires motion) or PIR (requires movement across detection zones), thermal imaging detects stationary or slow-moving intruders.

What is the purpose of the 'exit delay' and 'entry delay' in an intrusion alarm system?

Answer: Exit delay allows the last person to leave and disarm the system; entry delay allows an authorized user time to disarm before the alarm activates

Exit delay gives the last authorized person time to leave after arming, while entry delay gives an authorized person time to reach the keypad and disarm after entering through a designated entry point.

A security manager wants to detect unauthorized digging under the perimeter fence. Which sensor technology is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Buried geophone or seismic sensor cable along the fence line

Buried geophone or seismic sensor cables detect the ground vibrations produced by digging, tunneling, or heavy footsteps underground, specifically designed for this type of sub-surface intrusion detection.

In the PSP examination context, what does 'nuisance alarm rate' (NAR) measure in an intrusion detection system evaluation?

Answer: The ratio of false or nuisance alarms to actual intrusion detections over a given period

NAR measures the proportion of all alarm activations that are nuisance/false alarms versus genuine detections, serving as a key performance indicator for sensor selection and system tuning.

What monitoring standard requires that a central station maintain a backup facility capable of taking over operations within a specified time if the primary station is incapacitated?

Answer: UL 827 (Central Station Alarm Services)

UL 827 (Standard for Central Station Alarm Services) requires listed central stations to maintain backup facilities with the capability to assume full monitoring operations to ensure uninterrupted service.