Intrusion Detection
Commercial intrusion detection and alarm systems for Colorado businesses
ESI Technologies designs, installs, and monitors commercial intrusion detection and alarm systems for businesses across the Colorado Front Range. Forty-plus years of integration experience, CJIS-certified technicians, and integration with the access control and video surveillance systems already protecting your facility.
Commercial intrusion detection, built around your facility
Commercial intrusion detection is the combination of sensors, control panels, communication paths, and monitoring services that detect unauthorized entry into a facility and respond to it. ESI installs commercial intrusion systems for businesses across Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, and the broader Front Range, from single-building deployments to multi-site systems coordinated across regions.
A modern commercial intrusion system is no longer just a keypad and a couple of door contacts. It’s a layered detection platform that integrates with access control (so the system arms and disarms automatically based on who’s in the building), with video surveillance (so alarms trigger camera capture and verification), and with central station monitoring (so a real person responds, dispatches authorities when appropriate, and documents the event).
Detection sensors and devices
Door and window contacts, motion sensors, glass break detectors, panic and duress buttons, environmental sensors (water, temperature, smoke for non-fire applications), and specialized detection for high-value zones. Sensor selection is driven by the facility’s risk profile, layout, and false alarm tolerance.
- Door and window contacts (recessed, surface-mounted, overhead door)
- Passive infrared and dual-technology motion detectors
- Glass break and seismic detectors
- Panic buttons and duress alarms (fixed and wireless)
- Environmental sensors (water leak, temperature, freezer alarms)
- Asset protection sensors for high-value equipment and storage
Control panels and communication
Commercial-grade control panels with multiple zones, partitions for facilities serving multiple tenants or departments, and redundant communication paths. Cellular and IP signaling have replaced phone lines as the primary communication standard, with cellular backup for cases where the network is compromised.
- Commercial control panels with multi-zone and partition support
- IP and cellular signaling (primary and backup)
- Encrypted signaling for high-security applications
- Wireless and hardwired sensor support
- Integration-ready panels for access control and video tie-in
Central station monitoring
A monitored alarm is the difference between a system that signals and a system that responds. ESI’s monitoring service operates 24/7, dispatches local authorities when appropriate, and documents every event for compliance and insurance purposes. For commercial buyers, the response protocol and the time-to-dispatch are the metrics that matter, not the marketing language.
- 24/7 central station monitoring
- Local authority dispatch coordination
- Two-way audio verification on supported systems
- Video-verified alarms (with integrated surveillance)
- Customer notification and escalation protocols
- Full event logging and compliance documentation
Integration with access control and video surveillance
A commercial intrusion system that operates in isolation generates false alarms, gets disabled by frustrated staff, and stops being used. Integrated with access control, the system arms and disarms based on who’s in the building. Integrated with video, alarms trigger camera capture and let monitoring operators verify whether the alarm is real before dispatching authorities.
- Auto-arm and auto-disarm based on access control activity
- Video verification of intrusion events
- Pre-event and post-event video capture
- Unified incident investigation across access, intrusion, and video
- Mobile alerts and remote arming for authorized users
Manufacturer-authorized across the major commercial intrusion platforms
Authorization is not a formality. Manufacturers like Bosch, Gallagher, and Napco restrict who can buy direct, who receives factory training, and who can register warranties and software licenses. An unauthorized installer can mount sensors and program a panel. The support relationship, firmware update entitlements, warranty coverage, and integration capabilities run through the authorized channel only.
For commercial buyers, this matters at predictable moments: when a control panel fails and needs warranty replacement, when a sensor needs replacement after years of service, and when integration with access control or video requires manufacturer-supported configuration. ESI’s authorizations exist so the facility doesn’t end up at any of those moments without options.
ESI is authorized for:
- Bosch. Commercial intrusion control panels and detection devices with strong integration capabilities. Wide deployment in commercial, healthcare, and government facilities. Bosch panels integrate cleanly with access control and video platforms ESI also installs.
- Gallagher. Premium commercial intrusion integrated with Gallagher’s Command Centre access control platform. Strong fit for facilities standardizing on Gallagher for both access and intrusion, with unified administration and reporting. ESI is one of the few Colorado integrators authorized for both the access control and intrusion sides of Gallagher’s portfolio.
- Napco. Commercial intrusion control panels, communicators, and detection devices. Strong fit for commercial retail, multi-tenant, and small-to-mid commercial deployments. Cellular and IP communication paths supported across the Napco lineup.
Monitored alarm systems and central station response
Monitoring is what turns an alarm system into a security system. An unmonitored alarm signals locally, which is useful for deterrent and for alerting people on site. A monitored alarm signals to a central station, where a trained operator follows the response protocol, contacts the facility, verifies the alarm, dispatches authorities when warranted, and documents the entire event.
For commercial facilities, monitoring matters for three specific reasons:
Insurance and compliance. Most commercial property insurance policies require monitored intrusion systems for certain coverages, and the policy premium is reduced when monitoring is in place and documented. Some compliance frameworks (PCI for retail with payment data, certain HIPAA-aligned healthcare deployments, CJIS-adjacent government facilities) require monitoring with specific response protocols.
False alarm reduction. Monitoring services follow verification protocols before dispatching authorities, which reduces false alarm fees from local police departments. A facility with repeated unverified false alarms in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Colorado Springs faces escalating per-incident fees from the local jurisdiction. Verified response avoids these.
Documentation and audit trail. Every alarm event, every operator contact, every dispatch action is logged. For a commercial property manager or operations director responsible for incident response, that documentation is the record that supports insurance claims, internal investigations, and compliance reporting.
ESI’s monitoring service covers the full intrusion stack, and (where applicable) ties into video verification and access control for unified response. The same monitoring operation supports the 24/7 monitoring and managed security services tiers for facilities that want a deeper monitoring relationship.
Intrusion detection for Colorado’s commercial, healthcare, and government facilities
Different industries have different intrusion detection requirements. ESI’s experience across these sectors shapes how each system is designed.
Healthcare →
Intrusion protection for clinical and administrative areas, controlled-substance storage with dual-authentication and tamper monitoring, panic and duress buttons at reception, emergency rooms, and clinical areas. Integration with access control for after-hours secure zone protection.
Education →
K–12 and higher education intrusion systems with lockdown integration, panic alerts tied to administrative offices and classrooms, and after-hours protection of athletic facilities, equipment rooms, and computer labs. Coordination with access control for automatic arming after school hours and on weekends.
Municipal and government →
CJIS-compliant intrusion deployments for law enforcement, corrections, court, and government facilities. Encrypted signaling, redundant communication paths, dedicated zones for evidence storage, weapons storage, and secure server rooms. Audit trail and reporting for compliance. ESI is CJIS certified and has installed intrusion systems for Larimer County, the City of Fort Collins, and other Colorado municipalities.
Manufacturing and industrial →
Perimeter intrusion detection, fence-line sensors, yard and dock zone protection, and asset protection for high-value equipment and inventory. Environmental sensors for facilities with freezer, cold storage, or sensitive equipment requirements. Panic buttons at remote workstations.
Property management →
Multi-tenant intrusion systems with partition support, so each tenant has independent arming and reporting while the property owner manages common-area protection. Separate user codes per tenant, separate central station accounts where required, and clean technical separation between tenants.
Retail, hospitality, and corporate →
Loss prevention intrusion protection, after-hours store and back-of-house monitoring, panic buttons at registers and front desk locations, and environmental sensors for kitchens and cold storage. Integration with access control for safe and stockroom zones.
How an ESI intrusion detection project works
ESI doesn’t sell a catalog of sensors. We design a system that fits the facility, the risk profile, and the monitoring relationship, then install and support it.
1. Site walk and security assessment
An ESI project manager walks the facility to document every entry point, motion zone, panic location, environmental risk, and integration opportunity with existing access control and video. The site walk identifies the actual risk profile and the appropriate sensor coverage, not a generic template applied to every building.
2. System design and proposal
A zone-by-zone schedule with sensor type, control panel specification, communication path, monitoring service configuration, and integration with access control and video where applicable. The proposal explains why each sensor was specified, what it does, and how it fits the response protocol.
3. Professional installation
ESI’s licensed technicians handle sensor installation, control panel wiring, communication path setup (IP, cellular, and any required redundancy), monitoring service activation, and integration testing with access control and video systems. We coordinate with IT on network requirements, with facilities on conduit and power, and with monitoring central station setup.
4. Training and handoff
When the system is commissioned, ESI trains the customer’s administrators on user code management, arming and disarming procedures, and response protocols. We coordinate the monitoring service relationship, including emergency contact lists, dispatch instructions, and escalation procedures. As-built documentation goes to the customer.
5. Ongoing support
A commercial intrusion system needs maintenance to stay useful. Sensors fail. Batteries deplete. Control panels need firmware updates. Monitoring contacts change. ESI offers maintenance agreements, Managed Sites, and ongoing monitoring service to keep the system performing: scheduled maintenance visits, sensor testing, false alarm investigation, and priority response when something needs attention.
Frequently asked questions about commercial intrusion detection
How much does commercial intrusion detection cost in Colorado?
Cost depends on the number of zones, the sensor mix, the monitoring service tier, and whether the system integrates with existing access control or video. A small commercial system covering a single building runs in the low four figures for installation, plus a monthly monitoring fee that typically ranges from the low to mid hundreds depending on the response protocol. Larger multi-building deployments scale from there. The biggest cost drivers are the zone count and whether the system requires CJIS-grade encrypted signaling or specialized environmental sensors.
What’s the difference between a monitored and an unmonitored alarm system?
An unmonitored system signals locally with sirens and notifications, which alerts people on site but doesn’t trigger any response when the building is empty. A monitored system signals to a central station, where an operator follows the response protocol, contacts the facility, verifies the alarm, and dispatches authorities when warranted. For commercial facilities, monitoring is what makes the alarm system meet insurance, compliance, and operational standards. An unmonitored alarm is rarely sufficient for commercial use.
Can intrusion detection integrate with our existing access control and video systems?
Yes, when the platforms support integration. Integrated systems arm and disarm based on who’s in the building, trigger camera capture when alarms occur, let monitoring operators verify alarms with live video, and produce unified incident reports across all three systems. ESI specifies integration paths in the design phase. If you have an existing access control or video platform, we’ll confirm what integration is supported before specifying the intrusion system.
How does monitored alarm response work?
When a sensor trips, the control panel sends a signal to the central station. The station operator follows the response protocol for that facility: typically a call to the primary contact within seconds, followed by escalation through additional contacts if no response, with authority dispatch as the final step. With video verification, the operator can see what triggered the alarm before dispatching, which reduces false alarms and speeds legitimate response. Every step is logged and timestamped for documentation and compliance.
Does ESI service intrusion systems we didn’t install?
In most cases, yes. ESI services existing commercial intrusion systems across Northern and Southern Colorado. A site visit to assess the current system is the starting point. The answer depends on the platform, the age of the equipment, the condition of the sensors and control panel, and whether the existing monitoring relationship needs to migrate.
What manufacturers does ESI install for intrusion detection?
ESI is an authorized partner for Bosch, Gallagher, and Napco. Manufacturer selection on any project depends on facility size, integration requirements with access control and video, security level, and compliance needs. ESI is vendor-agnostic in the selection process: we recommend the right platform for the facility, not the one with the highest dealer margin.
How do I reduce false alarms?
Three things drive most commercial false alarms: poorly placed motion sensors that pick up HVAC airflow or environmental factors, user error from staff who haven’t been trained on arming procedures, and aging sensors that produce false trips as they fail. The fix is a combination of proper sensor placement at design, regular user training and refreshers, and scheduled maintenance to catch sensor failures before they produce nuisance alarms. A maintenance agreement is the single most reliable way to keep false alarms low over the life of the system.
Is ESI’s monitoring service compliant with insurance and regulatory requirements?
Yes. ESI’s monitoring meets commercial insurance requirements for monitored intrusion systems and supports compliance frameworks including CJIS for government and law enforcement deployments. Specific compliance requirements vary by industry and policy; we confirm the documentation requirements during the design phase and configure monitoring to meet them.
Start with a free site walk
An ESI project manager walks your facility, documents every entry point and risk zone, and delivers an intrusion system design built for your specific requirements, at no cost and no obligation. Serving Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Denver Metro, and businesses across the Colorado Front Range.
Fort Collins: (970) 999-1681 | Colorado Springs: (719) 602-7336