A
security system which includes at least a first sensor, an alarm panel including a
control system and programmable apparatus, a connection between the at least one sensor and set alarm panel, a keypad
assembly including a camera, and a connection between the keypad
assembly and the alarm panel. In various embodiments of the invention the camera includes a
CMOS image sensor, the camera produces digital images, the camera tracks the user of the keypad
assembly, the camera is remotely controllable from the alarm panel to focus on an object of interest, and / or the camera is remotely controllable from a central monitoring
station to focus on an object of interest. In some cases the camera
system is configured to take a picture in response to a specific
user code entered by the user, take a picture in response to
time of day when the input occurs, take a picture in response to invalid code entry and / or take a picture in response to an invalid card being presented. The invention also includes the method for providing enhanced security for protected premises which includes providing at least a first sensor, providing an alarm panel including a
control system and programmable apparatus, providing a connection between the at least one sensor and the alarm panel, providing an
input device including a camera, and initiating operation of the camera from the alarm panel.