Which term describes monitoring for multiple alarm companies that do not have their own monitoring station?

• A. 3rd party alarm monitoring
• B. 1st party/proprietary monitoring
• C. 2nd party/contract monitoring
• D. Self-monitoring by customers

Answer: (A)

The term describes a central monitoring center that serves many different alarm companies, rather than being owned and operated by a single company. This is why third-party alarm monitoring is the best fit: the monitoring facility is independent and contracts with multiple providers to monitor their subscribers’ signals.

Explain how the other concepts differ: proprietary (or first-party) monitoring means the alarm company runs its own central station and supervises its own customers. Contract monitoring (second party) implies a relationship with a monitoring provider under a contractual arrangement, but it’s typically tied to one provider rather than many companies. Self-monitoring by customers means there’s no central station at all—each customer monitors their system independently.