Glossary:
Down with jargon!
The security industry has a minefield of acronyms, abbreviations and industry terms to navigate. This is in no way a comprehensive list, but we wanted to put together a quick reference guide for you to use when browsing our products. And who knows - it may come in handy for your next pub quiz!
Byte – The fundamental unit of digital data, representing a single character or number
KB – Kilobyte, equal to 1,024 bytes
MB – Megabtye, equal to 1,024 kilobytes
GB – Gigabyte, equal to 1,024 megabytes
TB – Terabyte, equal to 1,024 gigabytes
PB – Petabyte, equal to 1,024 terabytes
MP – Megapixel, a unit of measurement for image resolution representing one million pixels
4k – Equal to 4,000 pixels
HD – High Definition
CCTV – Closed Circuit Television
SSID – Service Set Identifier, the name of a wireless network
Thermal imaging – Detects heat signatures only, allowing visibility even in complete darkness
Infrared – Emits light and measures the light reflected back, typically black and white
Night vision – Amplifies existing light, typically has a green hue
DVR – Digital Video Recorder
NVR - Network Video Recorder
IP – Internet Protocol
PTZ – Pan, Zoom, Tilt
PIR – Stands for ‘Passive Infrared’ motion sensors. They detect infrared light given off by a moving object or person that emits heat
NFC – Near Field Communication
Proximity tag – Also known as a Prox Tag, a small device, often shaped like a key fob, that allows users to interact with the alarm system without needing to enter a code
TVI – High Definition Transport Video Interface. Technology used in CCTV systems to transmit high-definition video signals over coaxial cables
‘SMART’ technology – Stands for ‘self-monitoring, analysis and reporting technology’. Uses artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis to provide inanimate objects with cognitive awareness
Duress code – A code chosen by the user that they can enter to request assistance, without alerting intruders. If the intruder asks you to disarm the system, you could enter this duress code and it would appear to disarm the system, whilst sending out a request for help.
Arming / disarming – Arming a system means to turn it on so that it is actively monitoring for triggers. Disarming does the opposite – it turns off the monitors, allowing you to move around freely.
Zones – Designated areas within the property. Typically, each room protected by motion sensors etc. is a zone. Zones can be set up whereby they can be individually armed.
Partitions – Partitions on a system essentially split it in to multiple independently functioning sections. For example, a warehouse may wish to have a partitioned system so that the warehouse office can be armed after business hours, keeping the warehouse floor disarmed for anyone who is working in the warehouse outside of these hours.
Keyholder – The keyholder for an alarm system is the person who would be notified if the alarm were to be triggered, and they are usually the person responsible overall for the property. There can be more than one keyholder.
Entry / Exit delay – This setting for alarm systems gives you a specified time frame for you to enter and disarm the property when the alarm is triggered, or to exit the property once the alarm is set.
Night set – Having a night setting on your alarm means that only certain areas of your property are armed, meaning you can move freely in parts of your home without setting off your system whilst still monitoring for unwanted activity in the other areas.