WHY SSi
Security Systems Inc is a Family owned and operated firm specializing in custom-engineered electronic security system design and installation
We are based out of Midlothian, VA and service Richmond, Central, Tidewater, and select portions of Northern Virginia areas.
We are unique.
We specialize in alarm system resilience, operational verification, and security engineering for organizations that require more than a basic alarm installation. Our focus is on how systems actually perform under fault, tamper, attack and power disruption - not simply whether a system is present. Unlike the traditional industry model, which often prioritizes account volume and standardized packages, we take an engineering-first approach centered on resilience, verifiable performance, and resistance to known vulnerabilities.
TOP 3-REASONS TO CALL SECURITY SYSTEMS INC.
What Do We Mean by "High-Security Systems"?
We define high-security systems as systems engineered to address known vulnerabilities in conventional alarm architecture through deliberate equipment selection, hardened physical design, and performance-focused installation standards.
Our approach differs materially from that of many competitors. Rather than relying on standardized packages and sales-driven equipment selection, we evaluate specific points of weakness within a system and mitigate them individually.
A common example is the continued use of traditional magnetic reed-switch contacts on doors and windows. This technology remains widespread in both wired and wireless intrusion devices. However, it is also a long-recognized vulnerability: in certain applications, a reed-switch contact may be defeated by introducing an external magnet near the sensing point, causing the circuit to interpret the opening as closed when it has, in fact, been compromised. Where this technology is used without compensating measures, the result may be a predictable defeat path. The video below demonstrates this vulnerability.
A second concern is the physical security of the control panel enclosure. Many manufacturers offer stronger listed enclosures as optional upgrades, yet standard enclosures supplied with conventional systems are often fabricated from relatively light-gauge steel and may provide limited resistance to forced access. This weakness can be compounded by non-unique keying practices across product lines. Where enclosure access is governed by common keys rather than controlled, installation-specific security, the panel itself becomes a foreseeable point of compromise. Because the market is concentrated among a relatively small number of major manufacturers, this issue may affect a significant share of installed systems. The video above illustrates this concern.
Security Systems Inc. addresses these limitations through the use of modified control panels, grade listed sensing equipment, and system designs intended to improve both resistances to defeat and operational performance. Our component selection process is based on documented testing, applicable UL and European certification standards, resistance to known attack methods, and long-term lifecycle performance - not simply on lowest cost or minimum acceptable field history.
In this context, high security does not refer to a marketing label. It refers to a system designed with a clear understanding of how conventional systems fail, and with specific countermeasures incorporated to reduce those failure points.
Sensor Grades Explained (EN 50131)
The four EN 50131 grades range from Grade 1 (low risk) to Grade 4 (very high risk). The table below outlines each grade and suitable application examples.
| Grade | Risk Level | Risk Level | Application Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Low | For locations with minimal valuables and very low risk of intrusion. Provides basic protection for entry points such as doors and windows against inexperienced intruders. | Residential properties, small retail stores in low-crime areas |
| Grade 2 | Medium | Ideal for environments with moderate risk. Designed to resist intruders who may use tools or attempt entry through alternative access points. | Residential, small commercial facilities and offices |
| Grade 3 | High | Suitable for high-risk locations. Offers comprehensive protection for all potential entry points, including walls and ceilings, against skilled attackers using advanced tools. | Medium to large commercial facilities, sites storing high-value assets (banks, jewelry stores, gold shops, warehouses, factories, etc.) |
| Grade 4 | Very High | Designed for very high-risk sites. Provides maximum protection against organized attacks involving specialized equipment and well-planned intrusion methods. | High-risk sites for military or terrorist targeting |