***************************
COMMENT ON CYBER LIABILITY FROM ARTICLE ON DEC 7 2016
***************************
Ken,
    I'd like to add to this topic. 
    While there are many examples, please refer to this article in Forbes titled: “How Hacked Cameras Are Helping Launch The Biggest Attacks The Internet Has Ever Seen”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2016/09/25/brian-krebs-overwatch-ovh-smashed-by-largest-ddos-attacks-ever/#5c255a5c6fb6
    Additionally, please refer to this article from Wired:  “Hackers Turn Security Camera DVRs Into Worst Bitcoin Miners Ever”" https://www.wired.com/2014/04/hikvision/
    Here is another article from IPVM: “Video Surveillance Manufacturers Risk Lawsuits For Botnet Attacks” " https://ipvm.com/reports/lawsuit-botnet
    Here is another news article::
    “Wanna stay safe? Trash that internet-connected security camera”
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/wanna-stay-safe-trash-that-internet-connected-security-camera/ar-AAleDQm?li=AA4Zoy&ocid=spartanntp
        “WASHINGTON — Security vulnerabilities in hundreds of thousands of closed-circuit cameras in use around the world are so severe that they simply should be thrown in the trash, a Boston-based cybersecurity company said Tuesday.
        The vulnerabilities make the cameras prone to getting hijacked and turned into drones in a zombie digital army to disable websites of companies — or conduct large-scale attacks on the internet itself, Cybereason said.”
    While there certainly are concerns about securing the customer from attack, one of the topics that is receiving more coverage now is using customer owned security system devices as an attack tool against others.  So, for example, if a system was installed by licensed security systems installer (with proper contracts in place) would your current contracts provide protection in the event that the client’s system was compromised and then used to attack a third party.   Perhaps JJ was asking specifically about these types of issues. 
    In these cases, the “victim” would go after the “client” who would go after “the installer” who might go after the manufacturers (skipping insurance companies for simplicity’s sake).  Would additional protective language about passwords, firmware, inherent risk of internet connected devices and similar be appropriate? 
Best regards,
Mike Glasser
North America Security Consulting Manager
Sr. Security Consultant – Global Projects
Microsoft Global Security
********************
FIRE ALARM CONTRACT
********************
Ken,
    Do you have a link to purchase the latest version of the “Standard Fire Alarm Equipment / System Sales Contract”? I did not see it on your web page.
 Thanks in advance,
Michael J
*********************
RESPONSE
*********************
    The link is on all of my daily emails.  alarmcontracts.com    https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-contract
**********************
SALES TAX COMMENT FROM DEC 12,  2016
*********************
Ken
    In response to Ron, you should look into it again. Indiana sales tax code has been the same for a while, anything that has a part associated with it must be taxed. If it is labor or service only it is not taxed, but the minute you put that sensor in the line item, it becomes taxable. Unless you are in one of the strange counties that have their own rules and time zones... This has been confirmed by multiple CPAs and billing services over the last 5 or so years
Armando Perez
**********************
DEFENDING HONEYWELL HOLD TIME / BASHING DSC
**********************
Ken
    We are not on hold with Honeywell more than one or two minutes.  When we installed DSC, there’s was consistently 30+ minutes on hold, and then you’d get a stoned-or-stupid “technician” who was usually clueless.  This was a big reason we switched, and a big reason we signed up with Honeywell’s Preferred Dealer Program.  We get excellent tech support, we get national-level pricing (same as ADT does for example) and training in our office if we don’t want to fight the crowds at ADI.  My point here is that these big manufacturers are providing support for thousands upon thousands of alarm technicians, many of who don’t bother to RTFM (read the f*** manual).  I have personally witnessed a tech calling to ask how to set a clock on a panel; he does not work for me anymore.  Everyone demands cheaper products and wants better service and complains about cheaper companies and won’t join a dealer program WTH do you expect??
Tom