Shooter Detection Systems Launches Outdoor Gunshot Detection System Following Beta Program

Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company, has announced the availability of its SDS Perimeter Outdoor Gunshot Detection System after completing a beta testing program. The new system is designed specifically for exterior environments, extending SDS’s gunshot detection capabilities beyond building interiors to cover campuses, perimeters, parking lots, and other outdoor areas.

The launch comes as organizations face increasing security challenges. According to FBI data cited by the company, 43% of active shooter incidents occur at places of business, while approximately 46% take place in outdoor or open-air environments such as parking areas, courtyards, and building entrances. These trends have driven demand for earlier threat detection and faster situational awareness across sectors including enterprise, education, healthcare, and public venues.

The SDS Perimeter system applies machine learning to outdoor gunshot detection and uses the company’s patented multi-factor sensing approach. By verifying firearm discharges through both acoustic signatures and infrared muzzle flash, the system is designed to deliver high-confidence alerts within seconds while reducing false alarms in complex outdoor environments. The company notes that many active shooter incidents conclude within approximately 10 minutes, highlighting the importance of rapid detection and response.

“Organizations today are looking for security solutions that provide earlier awareness and actionable intelligence, not just alerts,” said Rich Onofrio, Chief Technology Officer for Shooter Detection Systems. “SDS Perimeter reflects how we’ve continued to evolve our technology—combining physics-based sensing, machine-learning detection models, and real-world validation—to help security teams identify and respond to gunfire events before a threat reaches a populated area.”

The system originated from a Department of Homeland Security-sponsored technology development and testing initiative, which validated foundational outdoor detection concepts. SDS further refined and commercialized the technology for scalable, permanent deployments. Building on experience in military sniper detection systems, the solution combines sensor hardware, proprietary machine-learning algorithms, and integrations with complementary security platforms.

SDS emphasized that its sensors are not surveillance devices and do not record conversations, allowing organizations to deploy gunshot detection without introducing conversational privacy or audio surveillance concerns.

With the addition of outdoor coverage, SDS now offers a layered gunshot detection approach spanning both indoor and outdoor environments. The system integrates with video management systems, access control platforms, mass notification systems, and real-time crime centers to support coordinated response efforts. Together, the company’s solutions are designed to help security teams and emergency responders detect threats earlier, improve situational awareness, and respond more quickly across entire properties and campuses.