Towards the end of 2022, when my spouse and I made the decision to settle in the United States, our first priority was to find a place to live. Having spent many years in a home in Istanbul, Turkey, with 24/7 residential security services, we hadn’t really given security much thought. However, moving into a detached house and ensuring its physical security became my responsibility as a cybersecurity professional and DIY enthusiast. 🙂
Thanks to our realtor, Ms. Arda AKBAŞ, we were able to remotely secure a three-story, detached house in a low-crime area before even arriving in the United States.
My first task was to examine the exterior of the house via Google Maps to identify potential spots for outdoor cameras.
For an alarm system, I considered several DIY-friendly options, including Ring, Eufy, SimpliSafe, and ADT Blue. After thorough research and weighing the pros and cons, including some concerns about privacy and vulnerabilities, I decided to go with the Ring system due to its competitive pricing, solid performance, and robust ecosystem.
Once we moved in, my first job was to inspect the house as if I were a burglar. As you might expect from American movies, I found 27 sliding windows and 3 doors leading to the garden. The basement, in contrast to its usual portrayal in horror films as the lair of monsters and spirits, was a charming space ideal for a home gym, featuring 1 room, 2 windows, and a door that led to the garage.
Based on the emerging needs, I first ordered the second-generation main alarm system from Ring, which includes 14 pieces. Additionally, I purchased panic buttons that trigger the siren when pressed for 3 seconds, detectors that can detect the sound of glass breaking, and motion detectors.
After securing the windows and doors with magnetic door contacts and ensuring the safety of specific areas with glass break and motion detectors, it was time to purchase indoor and outdoor cameras.
Given that the garage had two doors accessible from the outside and one door from the inside, it was a key location for placing an indoor camera. To avoid dealing with electrical wiring, I opted for battery-powered cameras and purchased the Ring Stick Up Cam for the garage. I then proceeded with its installation and setup.
For the exterior cameras, my main focus was on capturing footage of anyone approaching the front door and enabling two-way communication. To fulfill these needs, I chose the Ring Video Doorbell 4. Instead of drilling and mounting it on the wall, I opted to hang it on the door. Additionally, I purchased the DOORBELLBOA Anti-Theft Video Doorbell Door Mount as an accessory.
Just two days after activating the smart doorbell, it captured its first uninvited guest. 🙂
Since the main entrance door of the garage was outside the camera’s field of view, I decided to install the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro at both the main entrance door and the back door of the house. To avoid frequently changing the batteries (which typically last around 3 months depending on usage), I equipped each camera with two batteries and also purchased the second-generation Ring Solar Panel, a solar-powered panel, to connect to the cameras. This setup has spared me the hassle of battery changes by keeping the batteries charged on sunny days.
In the following days, we had another uninvited guest, but this time, he was caught in the backyard. 🙂
Just like in cybersecurity (CISSP Domain 3: Security Architecture and Engineering), deterrence plays a crucial role in physical security as well. Therefore, I made sure to place two Ring Solar Security signs, powered by solar energy and illuminating at night, at both the entrance of the house and in the backyard. This helps act as a deterrent to potential intruders.
For business continuity, the main alarm system (Base Station) is equipped with a battery that can provide up to 15 minutes of power during short outages and includes cellular connectivity support to handle internet disruptions. As someone who values stability, I also purchased the APC BE600M1 and BE425M Battery Backup uninterruptible power supply units to support not only the router and alarm system but also other electronic devices in my home.
After completing all the installations, I now have a smart alarm system managed through the Ring mobile application, which allows me to monitor and receive notifications about activities around my home 24/7. To further enhance the monitoring, I’ve also subscribed to Ring’s Protect Pro 24/7 professional monitoring service.
Finally, I completed the setup with Alexa and the Echo Show 10, an AI-powered voice assistant that integrates with the Ring alarm system. It can verbally transmit alarms generated by the system, allow live viewing of cameras, make calls to the person ringing the doorbell, and, most importantly, customize alarms according to my needs using Routines.
In conclusion, the Ring alarm system, along with all its components, cost us around $2000. While it can never replace our beloved and loyal companion, North, as the guardian of our family, we believe the Ring alarm system offers him a chance to enjoy an early retirement and long, peaceful naps. 🙂
I assume this article will be useful for those who want to set up a DIY alarm system like I did. Hope to see you in the following articles.
