DSC Alarm Equipment

Featured Intrusion Alarm Partner

DSC — Digital Security Controls

The Canadian pioneer that helped shape modern intrusion alarm systems — Digital Security Controls (DSC) has been building professional-grade burglar and life-safety panels since 1979. From the flagship PowerSeries Neo and PowerSeries Pro commercial control panels to the fully wireless iotega platform, DSC's 128-bit AES-encrypted PowerG technology and Alarm.com-ready communicators are trusted by millions of monitored sites worldwide. Backstreet Surveillance integrates DSC alarm systems as the intrusion-detection layer beneath our camera, access, and remote-monitoring solutions.

1979Founded in Toronto, Canada

248Max zones (PowerSeries Pro)

2 kmPowerG wireless range (open air)

128-bitAES end-to-end encryption

EN Grade 3Commercial-grade certified

Who Is DSC?

Digital Security Controls (DSC) is a global electronic security manufacturer founded in 1979 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. DSC introduced the industry's first small, attractive security keypads and microprocessor-based alarm panels — products that set new standards for performance, convenience, and ease of use and have shaped how the professional alarm industry looks and functions today.

DSC expanded through acquisitions of Sur-Gard (central-station monitoring equipment, 1990) and Italian security manufacturer Bentel (1998). The DSC Group was acquired by Tyco International in 2002 and became part of the Tyco Fire & Security portfolio. In 2016, Tyco merged with Johnson Controls, and today DSC operates as part of Johnson Controls — one of the world's largest smart-building and security companies. DSC's core mission remains unchanged: build reliable, encrypted, code-compliant intrusion systems for professional dealers and integrators.

The Backbone Of Professional Intrusion

DSC control panels are one of the most widely deployed alarm platforms in North America. PowerSeries Neo is the flagship hybrid (hardwired + wireless) system for residential and commercial sites — supporting up to 128 hardwired zones, 128 wireless zones, 8 partitions, and full integration with the industry-standard Alarm.com service platform. PowerSeries Pro, launched in 2019, is DSC's next-generation commercial system — EN Grade 3 compliant, expandable to 248 zones, with on-board Ethernet, modular LTE/dual-path communicators, enhanced triple-end-of-line supervision, and PowerG anti-masking technology.

For Backstreet Surveillance, DSC is the intrusion counterpart to our camera, access, and remote-monitoring lineup. A properly designed site typically pairs a PowerSeries Neo or Pro panel with PowerG wireless motion, door, and glass-break sensors — all reporting through an Alarm.com dual-path LTE communicator to a UL-listed central station. Cameras, access control, and analytics can then be layered on top for verified alarm response.

Why PowerG changed the alarm industry: Traditional wireless sensors have short ranges, no encryption, and single-frequency links that jam easily. DSC's PowerG technology uses 128-bit AES end-to-end encryption, adaptive transmit power, frequency hopping, and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to deliver a fully bidirectional wireless link with up to 2 km (1.2 miles) of open-air range per sensor — extendable to 4 km with a wireless repeater. That's the difference between a "wireless" alarm that fails at 200 feet and one that reliably protects a full commercial campus.

Why Choose DSC

Over 45 Years of Innovation

DSC has been designing intrusion panels since 1979 and pioneered the modern security keypad. Now part of Johnson Controls — a global smart-buildings leader — DSC combines legacy expertise with enterprise-grade R&D and continuous product development.

PowerG Encrypted Wireless

128-bit AES end-to-end encryption, frequency hopping, TDMA, and adaptive power give PowerG sensors up to 2 km of open-air range with jam-resistant, supervised bidirectional communication — the industry standard for professional wireless.

Commercial-Grade Panels

PowerSeries Pro is EN Grade 3 certified, scales to 248 zones and 32 partitions, and supports the anti-masking triple end-of-line supervision required for high-risk commercial installations.

Alarm.com Integration

Every modern DSC panel plugs directly into the Alarm.com ecosystem for smartphone control, video verification, geofencing, energy management, and true dual-path LTE + Ethernet reporting to a UL-listed central station.

Hybrid Wired + Wireless

PowerSeries Neo and Pro accept both traditional hardwired zones and DSC's PowerG wireless devices on the same panel — perfect for retrofits and mixed-construction sites where running cable everywhere isn't practical.

Multi-Partition & Multi-Tenant

Up to 8 partitions on PowerSeries Neo and 32 partitions on PowerSeries Pro let a single panel manage multi-tenant buildings, adjoining businesses, or independently armable zones for offices, warehouses, and after-hours areas.

UL, ULC, EN & CSAA Listings

DSC panels are certified for the full range of North American and European code requirements — UL/ULC intrusion and fire listings in the U.S. and Canada, plus EN Grade 3 in Europe — so systems meet insurance and AHJ requirements out of the box.

Dealer & Integrator Ecosystem

Decades of dealer training, an installer app for wireless enrollment and programming, and one of the largest professional installer bases in the industry make DSC systems fast to deploy, easy to service, and readily supported anywhere in North America.

Complete Product Portfolio

Product Family	What It Delivers
PowerSeries Pro (HS3032 / HS3128 / HS3248)	Commercial-grade hybrid intrusion control panels — up to 248 zones, 32 partitions, on-board Ethernet, modular communicators, triple end-of-line supervision, PowerG anti-masking, EN Grade 3 certified. DSC's flagship commercial panel.
PowerSeries Neo (HS2016 / HS2032 / HS2064 / HS2128)	Hybrid residential and light-commercial panels — up to 128 hardwired + 128 wireless zones, 8 partitions, 95 users, 1,000-event buffer, and full PowerG wireless support. The workhorse of the DSC lineup.
PowerSeries Neo HS2LCDPRO / HS2TCHPRO Keypads	Full-message LCD and full-color touchscreen keypads with optional built-in PowerG transceiver and proximity-tag reader — arm/disarm, view zones, review event history, and program the panel from anywhere on-site.
iotega Wireless Panel (WS900-series)	All-in-one wireless security and home-automation panel — built-in Wi-Fi, Z-Wave Plus, PowerG transceiver, siren, and dual-path LTE/Ethernet communicator. Optimized for fast wireless installations and Alarm.com integration.
PowerG Wireless Sensors	Full family of encrypted wireless devices — PIR motion, dual-tech motion, curtain PIR, door/window contacts, glass-break, shock, smoke, CO, flood, temperature, and outdoor sensors — all with 128-bit AES and up to 2 km range.
PowerG Wireless Keys & Sirens	Two-way encrypted key fobs with status feedback, and indoor/outdoor wireless sirens — including battery-backed exterior sirens with strobes for standalone deterrent installations.
Alarm.com & LTE Dual-Path Communicators (TL880LT, TL880LECVZ)	Alarm.com-ready LTE cellular + Ethernet dual-path communicators for AT&T or Verizon networks — deliver primary or backup signal path with encrypted supervision to a UL-listed central station.
Zone & Output Expansion Modules (HSM2108 / HSM2208 / HSM3408)	8-zone expanders, 8-output expanders, and higher-density HSM3408 zone modules with removable terminal blocks — scale a Neo or Pro panel to hundreds of zones and PGM outputs without swapping the panel.
Power Supply & Bus Extenders (HSM2300 / HSM2204 / HSM3204CX / HSM3350)	1 A, 2 A, and 3 A supervised auxiliary power supplies, high-current output modules, and bus extenders for large-site cabling — keep sensors, sirens, and locking hardware powered on the alarm bus.
Sur-Gard Central-Station Receivers	DSC-family central-station monitoring receivers — the receiving side of the alarm ecosystem, used by professional monitoring centers to accept signals from DSC and third-party panels worldwide.
PC1616 / PC1832 / PC1864 (PowerSeries Legacy)	The original PowerSeries platform — millions of these panels are still in service. Every modern PowerSeries Neo installation is backward-friendly to installers familiar with the classic PC-series programming model.
ConnectAlarm & Alarm.com Mobile Apps	End-user mobile apps for arming, disarming, receiving push notifications, viewing camera clips, controlling smart-home devices, and reviewing history — free with monitored service.

A History of Innovation

1979 — Digital Security Controls founded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The company introduces the industry's first small, attractive security keypads and microprocessor-based alarm panels — setting new performance and usability standards for the intrusion industry.

1990 — DSC acquires Sur-Gard, a specialist in central-station monitoring receivers. This puts DSC on both ends of the alarm-signaling chain — the panels in the field and the receivers at the monitoring center.

1998 — DSC acquires the Italian security manufacturer Bentel, extending the family of brands with a European foothold and product line.

2002 — Tyco International acquires the DSC Group. DSC, Sur-Gard, and Bentel each become individual brands under the Tyco Fire & Security portfolio.

2007 — Tyco splits into three publicly traded companies. DSC becomes part of the new Tyco International, which becomes one of the world's largest fire, security, and life-safety companies.

2013-2015 — DSC launches the PowerSeries Neo platform — combining traditional hardwired zones with the new PowerG 128-bit AES encrypted wireless technology and support for the Alarm.com service platform.

2016 — Tyco merges with Johnson Controls. DSC becomes part of Johnson Controls, a global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings.

April 2017 — Tyco Security Products (part of Johnson Controls) announces the iotega — a next-generation all-in-one wireless security and home automation panel with built-in Wi-Fi, Z-Wave Plus, and PowerG.

May 30, 2019 — Johnson Controls introduces the PowerSeries Pro intrusion system — EN Grade 3 compliant, expandable to 248 zones, with on-board Ethernet, PowerG anti-masking, and enhanced triple end-of-line supervision. The first commercial-grade intrusion panel with built-in PowerG long-range wireless.

Today — DSC continues to evolve under Johnson Controls with expanded LTE communicator support (AT&T & Verizon), tighter Alarm.com integration, and ongoing PowerG sensor development for commercial and residential markets worldwide.

Add Professional Intrusion Detection To Your Site

Backstreet Surveillance designs, installs, and monitors DSC PowerSeries Neo, PowerSeries Pro, and iotega alarm systems — with PowerG encrypted wireless sensors, Alarm.com dual-path LTE communicators, and full integration with our camera, access, and remote-monitoring solutions. Talk to us about adding a monitored DSC alarm to your facility.

Request a Consultation