Local service. National monitoring resources.
Professional monitoring built around your property—not a one-size-fits-all package
Professional alarm system monitoring connects your security or fire alarm to trained operators who can act around the clock—even when you are asleep, traveling, working or unable to respond to an app notification.
Cunningham Security designs, installs, services and connects monitored systems for homes and businesses across Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. We can use cellular, internet/IP, traditional landline or AES private mesh radio communication, then program the system and response plan around the way your property actually operates.
- Since 1983Serving New England
- 24/7Professional response
- 4+ pathsCell, IP, landline, AES
- ME · NH · MALocal regional service
From detection to response
How 24/7 alarm monitoring works
A monitored alarm is more than a siren. It is a complete chain in which the detector, control panel, communicator, central station account and response instructions all have to work together.
The system detects an event
A door contact, motion detector, smoke detector, waterflow switch, panic button or other device reports a specific condition to the alarm panel.
The communicator sends the signal
The panel transmits the event through the selected path—cellular, IP, landline, AES radio or an approved combination of paths.
A trained operator follows your plan
The operator sees the account, signal type and zone description, then follows the instructions established for that event and property.
The right people are notified
Depending on the signal and your plan, that may mean contacting the premises, calling keyholders, notifying emergency services or alerting designated facility personnel.
Good monitoring begins before an alarm ever occurs
“Zone 7” gives an operator very little context. “Rear warehouse overhead door” is immediately useful. Cunningham programs meaningful zone names, confirms contacts and call order, tests transmission and helps build instructions that fit the property. Precise information can make a real event easier to understand and a routine trouble signal easier to route.
One system, several kinds of protection
What can a monitored alarm system protect?
The exact capabilities depend on the equipment and account configuration. Cunningham can design a new system or evaluate an existing one for the signals that matter at your home, business or facility.
Burglary and intrusion
Doors, windows, glassbreaks, interior motion, overhead doors and other protected openings can report an intrusion while the system is armed.
Fire and life safety
Properly designed fire systems can report alarm, supervisory and trouble conditions. Commercial requirements vary by occupancy, code and the authority having jurisdiction.
Smoke and carbon monoxide
Monitored smoke, heat and CO detection can provide an off-site response when occupants cannot call for help or no one is present.
Water, temperature and environment
Low temperature, water leaks and other environmental conditions can be routed to the right contacts before a small problem becomes major damage.
Panic and duress
Fixed or portable buttons can be programmed for specific response procedures. These events are handled differently from routine burglary alarms.
Business activity and system health
Depending on the platform, businesses can use opening/closing reports, late-to-open alerts, communicator supervision and other operational notifications.
How the signal gets out
Cellular, IP, landline or AES: choosing the right monitoring path
There is no universally “best” communicator. The right answer depends on coverage, available infrastructure, power and battery backup, code requirements, the building’s risk and how much redundancy the application needs. We evaluate those conditions instead of defaulting every customer to the same technology.
| Communication path | Relies on | Often a good fit for | Important considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cellular | A public cellular carrier | Many homes, small businesses and communicator upgrades | Requires usable carrier coverage and compatible hardware; carrier technology changes over time. |
| Internet / IP | The property’s network, internet service and power | Sites with well-managed, reliable network infrastructure | Router changes, ISP outages and local power loss must be considered; battery and network backup may be appropriate. |
| Landline / POTS | Telephone service and the condition of the line | Compatible legacy systems where suitable service remains available | Lines may be cut or converted to another technology; not every modern phone service behaves like a traditional copper line. |
| AES private mesh radio | A local, privately operated AES radio network | Fire, security and higher-reliability applications where coverage is available | Does not depend on a cellular carrier, but it requires compatible radio equipment, local network coverage and a compliant design. |
| Dual-path | Two approved communication methods | Uptime-sensitive businesses and applications requiring added redundancy | The paths should be selected so that one local failure is less likely to interrupt both; code and system compatibility still govern. |
A private alternative to public cellular service
What is AES radio alarm monitoring?
AES radio monitoring uses a purpose-built private wireless mesh network to carry alarm signals without relying on a public cellular network. Compatible subscriber radios communicate across the AES network, where other network units can help relay a signal toward the receiving infrastructure.
AES describes its mesh technology as self-healing and fault tolerant, with multiple-path validation. If one available route changes, the network can use another validated route. Because it is not tied to a commercial cellular generation, AES radio also avoids the communicator replacement cycle caused by cellular “sunsets.”
This can make AES a very secure and resilient communication choice for monitored fire alarm systems and commercial security systems. Its security advantage comes from a private, supervised, purpose-built alarm network—not simply from being wireless.
Read how AES private mesh technology works at AES Corporation →
Local accountability, national-scale infrastructure
Your signals are handled by Affiliated Monitoring
Cunningham partners with Affiliated Monitoring for 24/7 central-station signal handling. You get the resources and redundancy of a large monitoring operation without giving up a local company that knows your system and remains accountable for its design, programming and service.
Cunningham’s role
Your local security partner
- Evaluate the property and communication choices
- Design, install, program and test the system
- Build useful zone descriptions and account instructions
- Provide local service, training and ongoing support
- Coordinate changes and escalations on your behalf
Affiliated’s role
Professional 24/7 signal response
- Trained operators handle alarm and life-safety events
- UL 827 Listed and TMA Five Diamond certified
- UL 827B Listed for video monitoring
- FDNY Approved for fire alarm monitoring
- Geographically independent, hot-redundant facilities
Access to an elevated team at Affiliated
Cunningham’s relationship with Affiliated gives our company access to an elevated team for support, account coordination and escalations. That matters when a situation needs more than a generic call-center handoff: our local staff can work with the monitoring-center team to resolve account questions, refine procedures and keep service issues moving.
Affiliated reports that its Union, New Jersey and Houston, Texas monitoring centers operate in a geographically independent, hot-redundant, load-sharing configuration. Learn more about Affiliated’s monitoring-center redundancy and resiliency.
Instructions matched to the event
A response plan should be customized—not copied from the last account
Alarm signals do not all call for the same sequence. Cunningham helps establish clear contacts and instructions, while Affiliated’s operators follow the account plan and applicable procedures.
Intrusion alarms
When appropriate, the plan may include premises or keyholder calls, enhanced call verification and then dispatch. Exact handling can vary by signal, jurisdiction and customer instructions.
Fire alarms
Fire alarm, supervisory and trouble signals are distinct events. A fire alarm follows life-safety procedures; a supervisory or trouble condition may instead notify responsible facility or service contacts.
Panic or duress
These zones can have special instructions and should not be treated like a routine door or motion alarm. The programming, zone label and operator procedure must agree.
Environmental events
A low-temperature or water event may need the homeowner, property manager, maintenance team or another designated contact—not necessarily emergency dispatch.
Keep the account as current as the equipment
A perfectly functioning alarm can still produce a poor outcome if every number on the call list is outdated. Review contacts after employee turnover, tenant changes, changes in property management or family moves. Businesses should also review schedules, authorized users and special instructions as operations change.
Designed for the people who use it
Home and commercial alarm monitoring require different priorities
Residential
Home alarm monitoring
A home system should be easy enough to use every day. We account for pets, frequently used doors, sleeping areas, attached garages and the way family members arm and disarm the system.
- Burglary, smoke, heat and carbon monoxide
- Low-temperature and water-leak alerts
- Cellular or IP connectivity and app options
- Clear training for everyone who uses the system
Commercial
Business and commercial monitoring
A business may need different reporting by building, partition, shift or risk area. We can plan around employee turnover, multiple users, after-hours access, fire requirements and multi-site management.
- Burglary, fire, panic and environmental signals
- Unique user codes and opening/closing reports
- AES radio or dual-path designs where appropriate
- Integration with security cameras and access control
Want app control and an integrated platform?
Professional monitoring is the human response service; Alarm.com is an interactive platform that can add remote control, notifications, video and automation to compatible systems. Cunningham supports thousands of Alarm.com subscribers and can determine whether it is the right layer for your property.
Already own an alarm?
We can often monitor a system Cunningham did not install
Many existing alarms can be connected to Cunningham monitoring with a programming change or communicator replacement. We inspect the panel, sensors, wiring, battery, communication path and account programming, then explain what can stay and what truly needs to change.
Compatible hardwired contacts and wiring can often be reused. A proprietary, locked or end-of-life panel may need replacement, but we do not recommend a full rip-and-replace when a smaller, reliable upgrade will do the job.
Practical switching advice: keep the previous service active until the new communicator is installed, every required signal is tested and the new monitoring account is confirmed. Then cancel the old account according to its contract terms.
Straightforward starting points
Alarm monitoring cost and agreement terms
Final pricing depends on the panel, communicator, property type and optional services. Cunningham will identify equipment or one-time upgrade costs before activation.
Residential landline
From $30 / month
For compatible systems where a suitable phone line remains available.
Residential cellular
From $40 / month
A common choice for homes and small businesses that should not depend on a landline.
IP, AES, dual-path and commercial
Custom quote
Designed around communication requirements, equipment, reporting and account complexity.
Agreement: 12 months, then month-to-month. Starting prices do not include equipment, installation or optional services. Commercial fire, video verification, proactive video monitoring and specialized reporting are quoted separately. Permit or AHJ requirements may apply.
A regional team you can reach
Alarm monitoring across Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts
Cunningham serves residential and commercial customers throughout the region with local teams in Maine and Massachusetts and service coverage extending into New Hampshire. Visit the state page for more local detail or view Cunningham office locations.
Maine alarm monitoring
Local monitoring, installation and service from Southern Maine through the Midcoast and beyond.
Explore monitoring in Maine
New Hampshire alarm monitoring
Professional alarm monitoring backed by Cunningham’s experienced regional service team.
Explore monitoring in New Hampshire
Massachusetts alarm monitoring
Local teams serving the North Shore, Greater Boston, Cape Cod and surrounding communities.
Explore monitoring in Massachusetts
The Cunningham difference
Why choose Cunningham for alarm system monitoring?
Common questions
Alarm system monitoring FAQs
What is professional alarm system monitoring?
Professional alarm system monitoring is a 24/7 service that receives signals from a compatible security, fire or environmental alarm system. A trained operator reviews the event and follows the account’s instructions, which may include calling the premises or contacts, notifying facility personnel or requesting emergency response.
What happens when a monitored alarm goes off?
The alarm panel sends the event and zone information through its communicator to the monitoring center. The operator follows the procedure for that signal. Intrusion, fire, panic, supervisory and trouble events can have different call, verification and notification instructions.
Will alarm monitoring work if the internet or power goes out?
It depends on the communication path and backup design. Cellular and AES radio do not rely on the customer’s internet connection; IP communication does. The alarm panel and communicator still require power, so maintained backup batteries are essential. Dual-path communication and additional network or power backup may be recommended for higher-reliability applications.
What is AES radio monitoring, and does it use cellular service?
AES radio monitoring uses a private, purpose-built wireless mesh network to send alarm signals. It does not depend on a public cellular carrier. Compatible radios, local AES network coverage and a properly designed installation are required, so Cunningham confirms availability and application requirements at the property.
Can AES radio monitor both fire and security alarm systems?
Yes. AES manufactures communication products for fire and burglary/security applications. The communicator, panel, network coverage and installation must be appropriate for the system, and commercial fire monitoring must satisfy applicable code and authority-having-jurisdiction requirements.
Can Cunningham monitor an alarm system installed by another company?
Often, yes. Many systems can be taken over through programming or a communicator upgrade while reusing compatible panels, wiring and sensors. Proprietary, locked or obsolete equipment may require selective replacement. Cunningham tests the complete system before moving the monitoring account.
Who is Affiliated Monitoring?
Affiliated Monitoring is Cunningham’s 24/7 central-station monitoring partner. Affiliated is UL 827 Listed, TMA Five Diamond certified, UL 827B Listed for video monitoring and FDNY Approved. Cunningham remains the local company responsible for system design, installation, programming, service and account coordination.
How much does Cunningham alarm monitoring cost?
Residential monitoring starts at $30 per month for landline and $40 per month for cellular service. IP, AES radio, dual-path, commercial fire, video and specialized configurations are quoted according to the equipment and service requirements. The initial agreement is 12 months and then continues month-to-month.
Do I need Alarm.com to have professional monitoring?
No. Alarm.com is an optional interactive platform for compatible systems; it is not the only way Cunningham can provide professional monitoring. It can add app control, notifications, video and automation when those features fit the customer’s goals.
Build the right monitoring plan
Let’s protect the property—and the path that connects it
Tell Cunningham whether you need a new system, a monitoring takeover or a more resilient communication method. We will review the property, explain the tradeoffs and recommend a practical path for your home or business.
