Study: A third of home security systems are more than 5 years old

The average life of the security systems is 5 years, but 35 percent of Romanians who have a home security system installed it more than 5 years ago, according to a survey commissioned by ATU Tech, the largest online store of computer systems security in Romania according to the turnover.

Considering the accelerated pace of technological advancement in the field, security systems older than 5 years are outdated solutions and present risks assumed by the owners, since the old models cannot offer a high level of protection, they have an impact increased in defects, compared to new ones, and the poor quality of the images, in the case of a video surveillance system, for example, cannot provide information relevant to the identification of the offenders.

“It is very important for security systems to be up to date, whether we are talking about alarm systems, or video surveillance. We must keep in mind that security systems are always on, and that continuous operation requires maintenance. Thus, at least once a year, it is recommended to check the system components: surveillance cameras, power supplies, cables, camera connections, DVRs and harddisk, etc. The alarm system should only be replaced if the components are no longer efficient. We recommend tests to see the quality of the alarm sensors, but also to determine if the system communicates well with the dispatcher or the owner’s phone”, says Sorin Felea, director of Atu Tech (A2T.ro). “The life of a video surveillance equipment or alarm system is about 5 years. After this period, in the absence of an upgrade, there is a high risk of failure.”

Currently, installing a security system is much more accessible compared to 5-7 years ago. Thus, if 5 years ago, a complete video surveillance system, with 4 cameras with a resolution of 1 MP + DVR + cable (100 meters) + power supply + HDD, costs about RON 1,600, at present, a complete system video surveillance, on a similar configuration, but with a resolution of 2 MP, costs RON 800.

In 2013, a professional, wireless alarm system cost about 2,000 lei. Currently, it costs about RON 1,400, and an alarm system of the type DIY, wireless, with several sensors and siren costs about RON 700.

Atu Tech security systems specialists (A2T.ro) recommend that the installation be done by authorized installers. Atu Tech has a network of over 600 partner installers, through which it can offer such services at national level, being the company with one of the largest networks of installers in Romania.

The opinion poll “How Romanians prefer to secure their homes” was conducted in the online environment, at the request of Atu Tech (A2T.ro), between 10 and 15 July 2019, on a sample of 1,856 respondents, over 18 years old , from urban and rural areas. The margin of error of the survey is +/- 2 percent.

Atu Tech (A2T.ro) is the largest online store of security systems in Romania, according to the turnover. The company established in 2011 is headquartered in Sibiu and registered a turnover of USD 7.5 million last year.