Question

Many intrusion alarms are false alarms. A security guard should:

A) only respond to an alarm if he or she is in the immediate vicinity of the place where the alarm sensor is located
B) always silence an alarm before investigating its cause
C) tell people nearby that the alarm is false to help them remain calm
D) assume that an alarm is false until it is determined to be genuine
E) assume that an alarm is genuine unless and until it is determined to be false

Answer 1

A security guard should assume that an alarm is genuine unless proven otherwise, to avoid the serious consequences of missing a real threat. This is essential for security practice, considering uncertainty and potential physical danger.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it comes to managing intrusion alarms in security settings, the prevalence of false alarms can pose a dilemma for security personnel. The correct approach for a security guard would be to assume that an alarm is genuine unless and until it is determined to be false (Option E). This is based on the principle that the potential consequences of ignoring a real threat can be far more serious than the inconvenience of investigating a false one. Security guards must be vigilant and respond to every alarm as though it is a legitimate signal of intrusion or danger. Such an approach aligns with responsible security practice and takes into consideration the chance of uncertainty and potential physical danger that might arise from a genuine alarm situation. The research by Bruno & Abrahão (2012) showed that cognitive demand can lead to a higher rate of false positives in security decision-making; however, the cost of missing a real intrusion far exceeds that of investigating a false alarm. Therefore, security personnel should conduct a thorough investigation for every triggered alarm to ensure that genuine threats are not overlooked.