Paul Fitzgerald, Managing Director, HKC explores the challenges connected alarm systems solve, the importance of real-time communication and what the future holds for the brand.

Can you tell me about your role at HKC?

As Managing Director of HKC, my focus is on driving innovation and ensuring we continue to deliver trusted, professional-grade intruder alarm solutions for installers and end-users alike.

HKC has been a household name in Ireland and the UK security market for over three decades and that reputation is built on reliability, installer support and a willingness to evolve with the times.

Much of my role involves balancing long-term product development with the immediate needs of the market.

That means working closely with our R&D teams, engaging with installers to understand their pain points and making sure we’re investing in the platforms and products that will genuinely add value.

What challenges do connected alarm systems solve?

The evolution of connectivity has changed the industry completely.

Traditionally, alarm systems operated as standalone solutions, often reliant on wired infrastructure and PSTN signalling.

That created limitations in terms of resilience, scalability and user experience.

Today, connectivity allows alarms to be smarter, more integrated and more user-friendly.

For installers, wireless communication and cloud platforms simplify set-up, reduce site visits through remote diagnostics and create opportunities to offer value-added services such as smart home integration or maintenance contracts.

Of course, challenges remain, such as network reliability, low-signal environments and cybersecurity, all of which need to be managed carefully.

That’s why at HKC, we’ve invested heavily in solutions like our 4G-WiFi Dual Path Communicator, which combines speed and resilience with robust fallback mechanisms and encryption.

Can you tell me about the significance of real-time communication?

Real-time communication is critical because security incidents require instant responses.

If an alarm triggers but there’s a delay in signalling, the system loses much of its value.

With today’s IP and cloud-based solutions, we’re able to provide immediate alerts, video verification and even automated responses such as restricting access in the event of a breach.

Integration plays a key role here too.

By connecting intruder alarms with access control, for example, we can automatically disable credentials or lock down specific areas when an alarm event occurs.

This level of interaction ensures protocols are enforced without relying on human intervention, which is especially important in critical infrastructure environments.

For end-users, real-time communication isn’t just about safety, it’s about convenience and peace of mind.

Being able to check in using a mobile app, receive instant notifications or manage their system remotely has fundamentally changed how people interact with security technology.

Do you have anything on the horizon you can share with us?

We’re entering a very exciting phase at HKC.

After three years of intensive development, we’re preparing to launch a brand-new intruder alarm Hub and our first Doorbell product.

These represent a huge leap forward for us, not just in terms of hardware, but also in the supporting ecosystem.

Our SecureComm platform and app are being upgraded to deliver seamless connectivity and an improved user experience, while we’re also introducing a new loyalty platform for installers.

We want to make sure that our professional partners feel the benefit of these innovations just as much as the end-users do.

We’ll be unveiling these developments at two major launch events and I truly believe they mark the beginning of an exciting new era for HKC.

This article was originally published in the October edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.