KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ
ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE
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words matter, alarm, security and locks
September 12, 2025
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words matter, alarm, security and locks: more on CCTV as security system and words mean different things from article on August 23, 2025
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Ken,
Indeed, as you say, words do in fact mean different things depending on your point of view. Here are a few thoughts that may hackle a few feathers of old school folks still relying on industry nomenclature, coming from myself being an old school adherent. So get ready for this.
We still are asked quite regularly about CCTV systems, and always reply referring to them as video surveillance systems.
In the physical security world and our subset of lock and security hardware contractors, security is more than secure locks protecting strong doors and gates. In small and large facilities, it includes a thoughtfully designed and strictly maintained masterkey system. These days, a security system is typically an electronic access control system. Here’s why; EAC is like having a virtual security guard escort you around a facility, allowing or denying access based on specified parameters, then writing your movements down on a virtual clipboard (the audit trail). That sounds like a security system to us.
On the other hand, an alarm system is in reality an intrusion alert system. While its presence (hence the associated signage) may provide security as a deterrent, it is not actually providing security in and of itself. Needless to say, it is still an essential component to any security system.
A proven old school security system component is a UL437 rated pick and drill resistant Medeco Security Lock, with the added bonus of protecting you against unauthorized key duplication. As a Medeco Security Center in California and as a former member of Medeco’s management team, we had a reply to those claiming no need to buy expensive locks because they have an alarm system; alarms detect while Medeco protects.
With all due respect to our alarm company brethren, and all kidding aside, these days a comprehensive security system is really all of the above. Surveillance, detection, and fortification are all pillars of a strong defense against the bad guys. And it doesn’t hurt to have competent legal council on your side every day and in case of emergency. There’s your plug Kirschenbaum & Company. Thank you for this valuable forum and all you do, Ken. We really appreciate it.
Paul Linder
Hill's Bros. Lock & Safe, Inc.
Garden Grove, CA 92844
714-636-5652
hillsbroslock@aol.com
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Response
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Thanks for the plug, I appreciate it. When you have contract provisions that receive careful scrutiny you understand why I pound away at the importance of contract wording. Assume that judges are going to read your contracts with the intention of finding a way, any way, to deny enforcement of the protective provisions in order to find a way to hold you responsible for your alleged negligence or breach of contract. Nevermind that how that proof may turn out to be overly speculative, may as well let the case proceed to trial and find out. Most cases never make it to trial because the litigation process is so laborious and costly [thanks in part to the judges how simply cannot or will not move the cases along quickly] that most parties realize that they are better off settling than continuing the expense and assuming the risky outcome. The quality of our judge and jury system also is cause for concern; we are all familiar with the observation "you never now what the jury will find" and trust me, sadly, it's true. And not everyone has the fortitude or wherewithal to fight against a judge like Trump had in the NYC case with the half billion dollar fine and has been reversed by the appellate court, as, essentially, outrageous from a layman's point of view and unconstitutional from a legal standard.
Be careful with your contracts, be careful with your signage, be careful with your proposals, your sales pitch and your work. You start by using the best products, the best services, the best contracts, the best insurance, the best training and, being careful.
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Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq
Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Attorneys at Law
200 Garden City Plaza
Garden City, NY 11530
516 747 6700 x 301
ken@kirschenbaumesq.com
www.KirschenbaumEsq.com
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