Shooter Detection Systems (SDS) is the industry leader in gunshot detection technology, and its solutions have become a critical component of serious enterprise security plans focused on active shooter response.
SDS’s flagship Indoor Gunshot Detection system (formerly known as the Guardian sensor) is a small device that can be mounted in workplaces, schools, or public buildings to instantly detect gunfire and trigger alerts. What makes SDS technology so valuable is its accuracy and speed in an emergency. Each sensor uses a patented dual-method detection: it listens for the acoustic signature of gunshots while simultaneously detecting the infrared muzzle flash of a firearm discharge. By requiring both sound and flash, the system virtually eliminates false alarms (it won’t be fooled by a slammed door or firecracker). SDS reports a 99.9% detection rate with fewer than one false alert in over 5 million hours of sensor operation.
The moment a gunshot is detected, the system communicates an alert within a second, identifying the exact location on a floor plan and notifying security teams and law enforcement immediately. In many enterprise settings, like corporate campuses, factories, hospitals, and more, this speed can save lives by dramatically reducing response times. Instead of waiting for someone to call 911 amid chaos, the system has already sent precise alerts (via text, email, alarm panel, etc.) before most people have even processed what happened. It can also trigger automated actions, such as sending mass notifications to employees, initiating a lockdown, or directing PTZ cameras to focus on the incident location, all within seconds as the event unfolds.
For an enterprise, adopting Shooter Detection Systems means proactively addressing the active shooter threat with proven technology. SDS sensors integrate with a wide range of security systems, including access control, video management, and PA systems, to ensure that when a gunshot is detected, the response is coordinated. Doors can lock, cameras can focus on the shooter, and PA announcements can guide people to safety, all without human delay.
The reliability of SDS has been validated at the highest levels: it is the only gunshot detection solution certified under the U.S. DHS SAFETY Act, meaning it is recognized as an effective anti-terrorism technology. Enterprises also take confidence from their real-world pedigree. SDS is deployed in hundreds of sites and has accumulated over 300 million hours of runtime in environments ranging from Fortune 500 headquarters to major airports and schools. In each of these environments, facility managers have seen that the system operates quietly in the background and only activates when truly needed.
Why would a serious enterprise use SDS? Because when you are responsible for the safety of employees and visitors, especially in an age of increasing workplace violence, SDS offers a critical, lifesaving layer of security that cameras or guards alone cannot provide. It detects the undetectable (gunshots indoors, even through noise) with zero ambiguity, and it does so faster than any human could, giving precious seconds back to responders.
In essence, SDS technology is about mitigating the worst-case scenario. Companies that deploy it demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and due diligence. In the event of an incident, they are equipped to act immediately with the best information possible, potentially reducing casualties dramatically. The combination of unparalleled accuracy, seamless integration with broader security systems, and instantaneous alerts is why Shooter Detection Systems is trusted by serious enterprises and government agencies to protect their people from an active shooter threat.
