Cannon Security Inc. (CSI) is a small regional security provider based in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. They serve primarily Atlantic Canada with professionally installed Alarm.com-powered systems. If you’re in their service area and considering them — or stuck in a contract — this review covers everything you need to know.
Cannon Security at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Founded | Regional dealer — exact founding year unclear |
| Service area | Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI) |
| Platform | Alarm.com (white-labeled) |
| Equipment | DSC/Qolsys panels, 2GIG |
| Installation | Professional only |
| Monitoring | 24/7 professional (third-party central station) |
| Contract | 36 months typical |
| Monthly cost | $30-50+/mo (estimated, not publicly listed) |
| Our rating | 2.5/5 |
What Cannon Security Actually Is
Cannon Security is an Alarm.com authorized dealer — they don’t manufacture equipment, don’t run their own monitoring center, and don’t develop their own technology. They’re a reseller that:
- Buys standard Alarm.com-compatible equipment (DSC, Qolsys, 2GIG panels)
- Installs it in your home
- Charges you a monthly fee for Alarm.com access + third-party monitoring
- Locks you into a 36-month contract
This is the same dealer model used by thousands of regional security companies across North America. The equipment, the app, the monitoring — it’s all the same Alarm.com platform. What you’re really paying for is local installation and a local point of contact.
The Dealer Model Problem
Understanding the dealer model is critical before signing with any regional provider like Cannon Security:
| What Dealers Promise | What Actually Happens |
|---|---|
| “Free” or discounted equipment | Cost is baked into your 36-month contract ($30-50/mo x 36 = $1,080-$1,800) |
| Professional installation | Most modern systems are DIY-installable in 30-60 minutes |
| Local service and support | After installation, support is mostly Alarm.com app + phone calls |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | They outsource to the same central stations that DIY systems use |
| Latest technology | Same DSC/Qolsys/2GIG panels available from any Alarm.com dealer |
Services Offered
| Service | Details | Available from DIY Systems? |
|---|---|---|
| Intrusion detection | Door/window sensors, motion detectors, glass break | Yes — all major DIY systems |
| Video monitoring | Security cameras via Alarm.com app | Yes — often better cameras |
| Home automation | Smart locks, thermostats, lighting via Alarm.com | Yes — plus HomeKit, Google, Alexa native |
| Energy management | Thermostat scheduling, lighting control | Yes — standalone smart thermostats are better |
| Medical alert | Panic button, medical pendant | Yes — Abode, Ring, SimpliSafe all offer |
| Commercial security | Access control, video verification, fire monitoring | Partial — commercial is dealer strength |
3-Year Cost Comparison
This is where the dealer model falls apart for residential customers:
| System | Equipment | Monthly | Contract | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon Security | “Free” (contract-subsidized) | $30-50+/mo | 36 months | $1,080-$1,800+ |
| Abode | $199 (Smart Security Kit) | $0-20/mo | None | $199-$919 |
| Ring Alarm | $199 (8-piece kit) | $0-20/mo | None | $199-$919 |
| SimpliSafe | $249 (Foundation kit) | $0-28/mo | None | $249-$1,257 |
The math: Even at Cannon’s lowest estimated rate ($30/mo), you’ll pay $1,080 over 3 years — and that’s without counting equipment you may have paid for. A DIY system like Abode costs $199 upfront with optional monitoring from $6/month ($199 + $216 = $415 for 3 years with basic monitoring). That’s $665-$1,385 in savings.
Cannon Security vs Modern DIY Systems
| Feature | Cannon Security | Abode | Ring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract | 36 months | None | None |
| Installation | Professional (scheduled) | DIY (30-60 min) | DIY (30-60 min) |
| App | Alarm.com | Abode app + HomeKit | Ring app + Alexa |
| Smart home | Alarm.com Z-Wave only | Z-Wave + Zigbee + HomeKit + Matter | Z-Wave + Alexa ecosystem |
| Cameras | Alarm.com cameras | Abode Cam 2 + any HomeKit camera | Ring cameras (10+ models) |
| Professional monitoring | Included (contract) | Optional ($6-20/mo) | Optional ($10-20/mo) |
| Self-monitoring | Limited | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Cancel anytime | No — early termination fee | Yes | Yes |
| Take when you move | Complicated — may need reinstall | Peel off and go | Peel off and go |
| Service area | Atlantic Canada only | Anywhere (ships across Canada/US) | Anywhere |
When Cannon Security Makes Sense
There are a few scenarios where a local dealer like Cannon could be the right choice:
| Scenario | Why Cannon Works | DIY Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| You want someone to install everything | Professional installation is their core service | Most DIY systems take 30-60 min with included instructions |
| You need commercial security | Access control, fire panels, video verification for businesses | DIY systems aren’t designed for commercial use |
| You’re not tech-comfortable at all | They handle setup, app configuration, sensor placement | Ring and SimpliSafe have phone support during setup |
| You want a local company to call | In-person service in Atlantic Canada | All major DIY brands have phone/chat support |
What to Do If You’re Already in a Cannon Security Contract
| Situation | Best Option | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Contract ending soon (less than 6 months) | Wait it out, then switch | Don’t auto-renew — send written cancellation notice before the renewal window |
| Unhappy and mid-contract | Calculate ETF vs remaining payments | Sometimes paying the early termination fee saves money long-term |
| Moving out of Atlantic Canada | Cancel with cause | Most contracts allow cancellation if you move outside the service area |
| Contract complete, month-to-month | Switch immediately | You’re free — cancel with 30 days notice and get a DIY system |
Read our complete guide to cancelling your home security contract for step-by-step instructions and ETF avoidance strategies.
Canadian-Specific Considerations
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Shipping | DIY systems (Ring, SimpliSafe) ship to Canada via Amazon.ca. Abode ships direct. |
| Monitoring | Most DIY systems offer Canadian monitoring centers. Verify before purchasing. |
| 911 dispatch | Professional monitoring dispatches to local RCMP/police regardless of provider. |
| Cell network | Verify LTE compatibility — some US-centric systems may have limited Canadian carrier support. |
| Insurance discount | Canadian insurers typically offer 5-15% discount for monitored alarm systems — any ULC-listed system qualifies. |
| Consumer protection | New Brunswick Consumer Protection Act covers door-to-door sales with cooling-off periods. |
Our Verdict: 2.5/5
Cannon Security isn’t a bad company — they provide a legitimate service using proven Alarm.com technology. But the 36-month contract, premium pricing, and regional limitation make it hard to recommend when superior DIY alternatives exist at half the cost with no contracts.
If you need commercial security (access control, fire panels, video verification) in Atlantic Canada, Cannon is a reasonable local option. For residential security, you’ll get better technology, more flexibility, and significant savings with Abode, Ring, or SimpliSafe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cannon Security the same as Alarm.com?
No. Cannon Security is an authorized dealer that uses the Alarm.com platform. They install Alarm.com-compatible equipment and resell Alarm.com’s monitoring/app services. Thousands of dealers across North America do the same thing — you’re paying Cannon for installation and local service, but the technology is Alarm.com’s. See our Alarm.com review for details.
Can I keep my Cannon Security equipment if I cancel?
Usually yes — if you’ve completed your contract, the equipment is typically yours. However, the Alarm.com account may be locked to Cannon as the dealer. You may be able to transfer your panel to another Alarm.com dealer like Alarm Grid for cheaper monitoring, or replace the system entirely with a DIY option.
Does Cannon Security work outside Atlantic Canada?
No. Cannon Security’s service area is limited to Atlantic Canada (primarily New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI). If you’re moving elsewhere in Canada, you’ll need to cancel and find a new provider. This is one of the biggest advantages of DIY systems — they work anywhere you move.
How does Cannon Security compare to other Canadian providers?
Cannon is similar to other regional Alarm.com dealers in Canada. Larger Canadian options include ADT Canada and Bell Smart Home (formerly AlarmForce). For the best value, DIY systems from Ring (available on Amazon.ca) or Abode (ships to Canada) offer the same or better features without contracts.
What happens if Cannon Security goes out of business?
Since Cannon uses standard Alarm.com equipment, your system would still function for self-monitoring. Another Alarm.com dealer could potentially take over your monitoring account. This is actually an advantage of the Alarm.com platform — it’s not proprietary to any single dealer. However, it’s also an argument for owning your own DIY system from the start.
Is there a cooling-off period for Cannon Security contracts in New Brunswick?
Yes. New Brunswick’s Consumer Protection Act provides a cooling-off period for direct sales (door-to-door). If a Cannon salesperson signed you up at your home, you typically have a window to cancel without penalty. Check the specific terms and contact the New Brunswick Financial and Consumer Services Commission if you need to exercise this right.
William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
Marie says
Strong concerns regarding their support, if it’s not something that I can easily reach out I would save my time and look elsewhere. I have yet to read more feedback on this product so I would give it a chance, although I am not having my hopes up especially with some points you’ve shared here.