Frequently Asked Questions

With the Alarm Account app for iPhones and Android you can see your alarm activity, find out what time your alarm went off, update your emergency contacts, update your location’s phone number. You can download the app on your phone using the App Store or the Play Sore. Once you have installed the app on your smartphone click here to use our Change Internet Access Passwords or Passwords form and then email it to cs@nssi.net or fax it to (714) 389-7191 or contract our customer service team at (800) 457-1999 and your request will be completed. Forms received before 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the same day, faxes received after 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the next business day.

With our security apps, not only can you control your alarm system from your laptop or smartphone, you can also control your lights, door locks, even your thermostat. Click here to see our smartphone apps page.

A camera with HD resolution will provide a clearer, crisper image. Think about the difference between standard and high definition on your TV. An HD network camera will capture superior quality recordings at resolutions of 1080P and higher. While many security cameras with 760p resolution are on the market, it’s highly recommended to get a 1080P camera or 4K camera for superior performance.

Night vision on outdoor security cameras is provided by infrared sensors. On an outdoor security camera, infrared LED bulbs are located concentrically around the camera. The number of infrared LEDs used in a camera help determine its range for night vision.

Night vision is highly desirable, as many crimes happen at night. Intruders may believe they have an advantage under cover of night, so our need to “see in the dark” and feel secure is enhanced by cameras that have the ability to capture images and video in shadows, shady areas and in darkest nights.

Yes! On average, installing a monitored home security system can lower your homeowner's insurance by up to 20 percent. Check with your insurance broker for details.

A security alarm system protects your business, your home and your loved ones. So, its value goes beyond the cost. It includes something you can’t put a price on: the peace of mind you have when you’re sleeping, or away from your home or business, knowing that your monitoring agents are ready to respond in the event of a break in.

In general, wireless systems are preferred because they’re simply easier to install and don’t require running wires all over your house. Wireless systems are also more portable should relocation be needed in the future.

If you have already have a valid password and simply want to change it you can click here to use our Change Account Password or Passwords form and then email it to cs@nssi.net or fax it to (714) 389-7191 and your request will be completed. Forms received before 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the same day, forms received after 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the next business day.

Modern day alarm panel send signals to our central station via cellular radio, this is the preferred method. Older alarm panels send signals to our central station via the telephone line, so it is important to understand that if you disconnect your telephone line, you also disable your alarm system! If you have an older alarm panel that is still using phone line please contact National Security Systems for details on upgrading to cellular radio at (800) 457-1999.

Typically, if it’s a burglar alarm, the central station dispatcher will call the premises first. If someone answers at the premises, the dispatcher will request a password. If a valid password is provided, the dispatcher will simply ask if everything is okay. If nobody answers, or if someone answers who cannot provide a valid password, the dispatcher will then dispatch the police. In this instance, the dispatcher will also notify the responsible party contact on the alarm account’s “emergency notification list.” This is a typical response; the actual response to an alarm depends on a number of factors, including the individual account holder’s wishes, and the local city laws. To find out how your individual alarm will be handed please contact our customer service team at (800) 457-1999. To make changes in the way your account is handled see how do I change or add instructions for my alarm system by clicking here.

National Security Systems’ central station is professionally staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Procedures for changing your arm/disarm codes or adding new ones are contained in your user’s manual. If you cannot find you user guide you can find a copy of it on our support page. If you are having difficulty changing or adding arm/disarm codes, our service department can assist you

Yes, in most cases National Security Systems can add, delete, or change your arm/disarm codes remotely. The cost for this service is a minimum $15.00. The $15.00 minimum charge covers up to fifteen minutes of programming, which is more than enough time for a single code change or for a small database of codes, for large databases please call our remote programming department for a quote. To add, delete, or change codes you can click here to use our Change Account Password or Passwords form and then email it to cs@nssi.net or fax it to (714) 389-7191 and your request will be completed.

Forms received before 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the same day, forms received after 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the next business day.

All request for cancellation must in writing and arrangements must be made to have the alarm panel physically disabled or removed (for leased systems). National Security Systems Inc cannot stop billing you until the panel is physically disabled or removed, because it will continue to send signals to the central station. If you have leased a backup radio unit from National Security Systems Inc, you must also make arrangements to return that to us as well. Customers still under contract must complete their contract obligations before canceling the service, please reference the National Security Systems sales/lease agreement for complete details. 

Usually, simply entering your keypad code will get it to stop. If entering your code doesn't work you may need service on your system so please call our customer service team at (800) 457-1999. Anytime your alarm goes off don't forget to call our central station (800) 664-1295 so the police and or fire department will not be dispatched to your location. Your alarm panel owner's manual will have the exact procedures. If you don't have an owner's manual, you can find a copy of it on our support page.

Click here to visit our support page and download the user guide for your alarm system.

 If you accidentally set your alarm system off, but immediately silenced it by entering your keypad code, you may simply have caught it before it could report to our central station. If it went off for some time and you didn’t get a call from central station, there may be a problem with your alarm system. Call the central station at (800) 664-1295 and ask them to check the alarm history on your account and, if necessary, customer service team at (800) 457-1999 to arrange for a service call.

Alarm systems use the telephone system to transmit signals to the central station. Most panels have something called “line-seizure” built into them, which means that the alarm panel grabs the telephone line to report the alarm and, until it is finished, the telephone line is unavailable for telephone calls.

Most alarm systems have a simple way that they can be tested; your alarm systems user guide will have the exact procedures. Don’t forget to call the central station at (800) 664-1295 and place your system on test before testing and make sure you have your password code ready when you call. 

False alarms cost everyone money! A faulty alarm panel or the careless use of an alarm system can lead to false alarms, and cities are growing increasingly strict concerning the number of false alarms they will respond to before fining an alarm system owner. Every municipality has its own rules regarding fines for false alarms. It’s wise to check with your local city hall for the rules governing your area. It’s also wise to ensure that you keep your alarm system in good working condition and that you know how to use it properly, this will help to greatly reduce the possibility of false alarms. 

Activating the “STAY” feature arms only the perimeter zones of your home. Zones, in most cases, can be assigned as either perimeter or interior zones. Once the “STAY” feature has been activated, one can stay inside the home and move around without the risk of setting off the alarm system. Only the perimeter doors and windows will be armed, so if someone breaks into the house through a perimeter door or window, the alarm will be set off.

The “AWAY” feature is a way of arming your complete alarm system, the exit delay will count down for 30 seconds to give you time to leave before the system arms. Interior and exterior zones will be activated when using the “AWAY” feature.

The Master Code is usually the homeowner or business owner’s code. This code, in addition to allowing an individual to arm or disarm a system, allows access to entry level programming, such as changing the clock, date, time and adding or deleting user codes. The User Code is a code most often given to the alarm panel owner’s children, relatives, caretakers, employees, etc. This level of access is used primarily to turn the system on and off. Check with your alarm systems user guide for the exact functions that each level will allow. If you have a Bosch Security system you may want to read about authority levels here.

1. The Change Emergency Contact Information form which you can use to update the passwords and/or emergency phone numbers on your account. You can either email or fax the form back to us. Click here to download the form. Click here for more information.

2. The Add, Delete, or Change Arm/Disarm Codes form which you can use to update your arm/disarm codes. You can either email or fax the form back to us. Click here to download the form. Click here for more information.

3. The Add Temporary or Permanent Note form which you can use to add temporary or permanent notes to your account. You can either email or fax the form back to us. Click here to download the form. Click here for more information.

4. Change account password or passwords form which you can use to update the on your account password or passwords. You must know your existing password to use this form. You can either email or fax the form back to us. Click here to download the form. Click here for more information.

5. The Add Delete or Change Internet Access Password(s) form is for you to setup access or change access for our internet portal or smartphone apps. With access to our internet portal or smartphone apps you can see real time information about alarm activity, place your system on and off test, update contact information including phone numbers via the internet on all of your accounts. You can either email or fax the form back to us. Click here to download the form. Click here for more information.

Your arm/disarm code is the 4 to 6-digit code that you enter into your system's keypad to arm and disarm (turn on/off) your alarm system. Your password is a word or number that you use to identify yourself to central station in the case of a false alarm. If you accidentally set off your alarm, the central station dispatcher will ask you for your password. If you don't have one, or if you provide an incorrect one, the authorities will be dispatched. You will also need your password to make changes to your account or to get information about your account.

Going on vacation and want a temporary note placed on your account so we will dispatch first before calling your house? Want us to call the emergency notification list before we dispatch? No problem just use our add temporary or permanent note form and then email it to cs@nssi.net or fax it to (714) 389-7191 and your request will be completed. Forms received before 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the same day, forms received after 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the next business day.

Most Bosch Security systems installed by National Security Systems require code be an assigned authority level. Our standard setup is to assigned have two authority levels minimum (authority level 1 and authority level 2). A code that is assigned with authority level 1 is usually the homeowner or business owner’s code. This level, in addition to allowing an individual to arm or disarm a system, allows access to entry level programming, such as changing the clock, date, time and adding or deleting user codes. A code that is assigned with authority level 2 is a code most often given to the alarm panel owner’s children, relatives, caretakers, employees, etc. This level of access is used primarily to turn the system on and off. Some systems allow you to assign individual authority levels for the individual areas of your security system. Check with your alarm systems user guide for the exact functions that each level will allow and to see if you can add additional levels if needed.

If you have a Radionics security system that is an Omegalarm D8112, D6112 or D4112 click here to see our Omegalarm support page.

If you want to change your emergency notification list on your account, you can click here to use our Change Emergency Contact Information form and then email it to cs@nssi.net or fax it to (714) 389-7191 and your request will be completed. Forms received before 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the same day, forms received after 3:00 PM pacific time will be input the next business day.