Cunningham Security Systems
Cunningham Security Systems is a privately held regional provider of monitored security, fire alarm, camera, and access control systems serving residential and commercial customers across Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts through four offices and recurring monitoring contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersYarmouth, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Cunningham Security Systems does
Cunningham Security Systems is a privately held regional security and fire alarm services provider founded in 1983 by Paul and Nancy Cunningham and currently owned by Mike Major, who acquired the company in 2003-2005. The company designs, installs, and monitors intrusion alarms, fire alarm systems, security cameras, access control systems, and environmental hazard detectors for residential homeowners and commercial businesses across Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Operations are anchored at the Falmouth, Maine headquarters with additional service locations in Wiscasset (ME), Topsfield (MA, acquired from SOS Home Systems), and Cape Cod (MA), supported by NICET II-certified technicians for commercial fire alarm work.
The technology stack is built on third-party platforms rather than proprietary infrastructure. Cunningham serves as an authorized dealer and integrator for Alarm.com (monitoring and smart-home app), Honeywell, Qolsys (IQ4 panels), Fire-Lite, Silent Knight, and Potter fire alarm hardware, with no disclosed in-house software, AI/ML, or proprietary models. Core products include 24/7 UL-listed central station monitoring, custom-designed alarm systems, video monitoring and virtual guard services, home automation, alarm system takeover, and NFPA 72-compliant commercial fire alarm inspections.
The business model combines recurring monthly/annual monitoring subscriptions with one-time professional installation fees, custom-quoted based on free on-site estimates. Multi-year monitoring contracts generate the majority of stable revenue, complemented by recurring fire alarm inspection mandates under NFPA 72. The go-to-market is sales-led via direct customer consultation, supplemented by content marketing, BBB and Angie's List trust signals, and customer testimonials. Customer concentration is low, with thousands of customers distributed across residential and SMB commercial segments and no material enterprise anchors identified.
Cunningham Security Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cunningham Security Systems
- Legal name
- Cunningham Security Systems
- Website
- https://cunninghamsecurity.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cunningham Security Systems is a privately held regional provider of monitored security, fire alarm, camera, and access control systems serving residential and commercial customers across Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts through four offices and recurring monitoring contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cunningham Security Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Security and Fire Alarm Services
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (56162), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- SIC
- Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)
- akta.pro primary industry
- System Monitoring & Dispatch Services (Fire/CO Alarm Monitoring) (HSAHAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fire Alarm Monitoring Services (HSAHAAAI), Testing, Inspection, Maintenance & Compliance Services (NFPA/Local Code) (HSAHAFAG), Fire Alarm Systems (Inspection/Testing/Monitoring/Service) (IMAIAJAC), Fire & Life Safety Code Compliance Inspections & Consulting (AHJ Support) (BPABAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Cunningham Security Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yarmouth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Cunningham Security Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Alarm Monitoring Services: Recurring monthly/annual fees for 24/7 professional monitoring of security and fire alarm systems with dispatch capabilities.
- Security System Installation: One-time fees for professional installation of security systems, fire alarms, cameras, and access control systems.
- Fire Alarm Inspections: NFPA 72-compliant inspection and testing services for commercial fire alarm systems.
- Alarm System Takeover: Migration and takeover services for existing security systems from other providers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom security systems with quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Cunningham Security Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cunningham Security Systems designs, installs, and monitors intrusion/burglar alarms, fire alarm systems, security cameras, access control, and environmental hazard detection for residential and commercial properties in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Revenue is earned primarily through 24/7 professional central-station alarm monitoring subscriptions, one-time system installations, and recurring fire alarm inspection services. The company acts as a regional authorized dealer and integrator of third-party platforms such as Alarm.com, Qolsys, Honeywell, Fire-Lite, Silent Knight, and Potter.
Product overview
Cunningham Security Systems provides a comprehensive portfolio of security and fire alarm products and services for residential and commercial customers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The core offering consists of monitored security systems (intrusion/burglar alarms), fire alarm systems, security cameras (bullet, dome, infrared), and access control systems. These integrate with third-party platforms including Alarm.com (for remote monitoring and home automation via smartphone app) and support hardware brands such as Qolsys, Fire-Lite, Silent Knight, Potter, and Honeywell. The portfolio also includes add-on monitoring services (24/7 central station monitoring, video monitoring, virtual guard), environmental detection (carbon monoxide, flood, low temperature, gas sensors), alarm system takeover for existing systems, and professional fire alarm inspections following NFPA 72 standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Residential Security Systems Monitored security and fire alarm systems for homeowners, including theft/burglar alarms, home video surveillance, remote access control, and environmental hazard detection such as carbon monoxide detectors.
- Commercial Security Systems Custom-built commercial intrusion detection, fire alarm, access control, and closed-circuit TV systems designed to meet commercial codes for businesses.
- Fire Alarm Systems Fire alarm installation and monitoring for residential and commercial properties, including smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations, horn strobes, and fire alarm monitoring with firefighter dispatching.
- Security Cameras Video surveillance camera systems including bullet cameras, dome cameras, and infrared cameras for indoor and outdoor monitoring with remote viewing capabilities.
- 24/7 Alarm System Monitoring Around-the-clock professional UL-listed central station monitoring with rapid notifications, dispatcher response, and 24-hour on-call technician support for security and fire alarm systems.
- Access Control Systems Electronic access control systems for commercial properties to manage entry permissions and monitor building access.
- Fire Alarm Inspections Professional fire alarm inspection and testing services for commercial fire alarm systems, compliant with NFPA 72 standards and local Authority Having Jurisdiction requirements.
- Alarm System Takeover Service to evaluate and take over existing home security systems from other providers, migrating panels, sensors, and wiring to Cunningham's monitoring platform.
- Environmental Detection Services Environmental hazard monitoring including carbon monoxide detectors, water leak sensors, flood sensors, low temperature sensors, and gas detectors to protect homes from environmental dangers.
- Home Automation
Quantifiable outcome
- Fire and smoke detection monitoring can make the difference in surviving a home fire or smoke incident
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Cunningham Security Systems
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cunningham Security Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Cunningham Security Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Alarm.comcoreAlarm.com is the primary monitoring platform and app provider used by Cunningham Security for their monitored security systems, providing cellular monitoring, video surveillance integration, and mobile app functionality for customers.
- HoneywellcoreCunningham Security is a Honeywell Authorized Dealer, offering Honeywell security systems and related products as part of their solution portfolio.
- QolsyscoreCunningham Security installs and services Qolsys IQ security panels, including the IQ4 model, as part of their residential and commercial security offerings.
- Fire-LitecoreCunningham Security routinely installs and services Fire-Lite fire alarm systems for commercial applications, providing sales, installation, and maintenance support.
- Silent KnightcoreCunningham Security routinely installs and services Silent Knight fire alarm systems, offering comprehensive commercial fire alarm solutions.
- PottercoreCunningham Security supports Potter fire alarm systems as part of their commercial fire detection offerings.
- NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)coreCunningham Security follows NFPA 72 standards for fire alarm inspections and installations, ensuring compliance with national fire safety codes and regulations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cunningham Security Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ackerman Security Systems: Regional monitored security and fire alarm provider serving the Southeast US with residential and commercial systems - directly comparable in product mix and dealer-led business model.
- Vector Security: Regional monitored security and fire alarm dealer serving the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US with residential and commercial intrusion, fire, video, and access control offerings - directly comparable to Cunningham's business model and service mix.
- Guardian Protection: Large regional security dealer offering monitored intrusion, fire, video surveillance, and home automation across the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern US, similar in product breadth to Cunningham and a likely roll-up peer.
- SafeStreets (ADT Authorized Dealer): Authorized ADT dealer providing installed home security systems across multiple US regions - directly comparable in dealer-led go-to-market but backed by the ADT brand and platform.
- LOUD Security Systems: Southeast US residential and commercial security and fire alarm dealer with custom installation, 24/7 monitoring, and smart home integration - similar in scale and service mix to Cunningham.
Broad incumbents
- Brinks Home (Monitronics): National monitored security provider with a large authorized-dealer network; competes directly with Cunningham in residential intrusion and fire monitoring but at far greater scale and with national marketing.
- ADT: Largest US monitored security provider offering residential and commercial intrusion, fire, video, and home automation nationwide - competes with Cunningham on every residential lead in its service area, with significant brand and budget advantages.
- Vivint Smart Home: National smart home and security provider combining professionally installed systems with subscription monitoring - competes with Cunningham in the integrated smart home/security category, particularly against Alarm.com-powered offerings.
Emerging players
- SimpliSafe: Leading DIY-installed home security brand with optional professional monitoring - competes with Cunningham in residential monitoring but bypasses the dealer-installed model with self-setup kits at lower price points.
- Ring (Amazon) Alarm: DIY home security and video doorbell ecosystem owned by Amazon with optional professional monitoring - competes with Cunningham primarily at the low end and in homeowner self-install scenarios.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cunningham Security Systems social profiles
Digital presenceCunningham Security Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cunningham Security Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Cunningham Security Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cunningham Security Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cunningham Security Systems
What does Cunningham Security Systems do?
Cunningham Security Systems designs, installs, and monitors intrusion/burglar alarms, fire alarm systems, security cameras, access control, and environmental hazard detection for residential and commercial properties in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Revenue is earned primarily through 24/7 professional central-station alarm monitoring subscriptions, one-time system installations, and recurring fire alarm inspection services. The company acts as a regional authorized dealer and integrator of third-party platforms such as Alarm.com, Qolsys, Honeywell, Fire-Lite, Silent Knight, and Potter.
Is Cunningham Security Systems a public or private company?
Cunningham Security Systems is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Cunningham Security Systems founded?
Cunningham Security Systems was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cunningham Security Systems based?
Cunningham Security Systems is headquartered in Yarmouth, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cunningham Security Systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Alarm Monitoring Services are the primary driver. The others are security System Installation, fire Alarm Inspections and alarm System Takeover.
Who are Cunningham Security Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ackerman Security Systems, Vector Security, Guardian Protection, SafeStreets (ADT Authorized Dealer) and LOUD Security Systems. Broad incumbents are Brinks Home (Monitronics), ADT and Vivint Smart Home. Emerging players are SimpliSafe and Ring (Amazon) Alarm.
Does Cunningham Security Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cunningham Security Systems.
What industry is Cunningham Security Systems in?
Cunningham Security Systems's product category is Security and Fire Alarm Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAHAFAF, System Monitoring & Dispatch Services (Fire/CO Alarm Monitoring), with a secondary code of HSAHAAAI, Fire Alarm Monitoring Services. Its NAICS code is 56162 and its SIC code is 7381.