Sir, if you are using a conventional telephone line for monitoring, that is
NOT the case. Your alarm panel is a passive device, only using the phone
line when it needs to send test signals, alarms or other signals such as
openings and closings. Cutting the phone line doesn't send anything to the
central station because there is no phone line to do so.

Your alarm can be programmed to actually trigger the alarm in the event of
loss of dial tone, but this is nothing but a "local" alarm. The central
station doesn't know your alarm may not be working until the panel fails to
send in its programmed daily or weekly test signal. If you are using some
means of wireless backup, then the above doesn't apply, and your CS could
well know of a line cut.

So hardening the phone lines CAN be a measure of additional security worth
doing depending upon your particular situation...

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com


wrote in message ...
We are installing a centrally monitored, wired alarm system in our
house.

I noticed that the Network Interface device sits unprotected at waist
level on the outside of the house. Even more concerning, the phone
line enters and exits the box unprotected.

Other than paying for a radio link backup, what is the best way to
"harden" the phone line?

My understanding is that, if your alarm system is actually monitored,
then cutting the line will cause the alarm co. to react as if the alarm
had gone off, so hardening it is pointless. Is there some reason why
you don't trust the alarm company to answer these questions?