A good security system is designed in layers to give the occupant warning that someone is on the property or forcing a door BEFORE they are inside the house. 

Beware of security designs that rely simply on a couple of PIR's in the hallways - if you want to be told somebody has broken in after the fact, then these systems are fine.  If you want to keep these people out of your house and away from your family seek the advice of a professional security company who will design a system to work with both your family and in your house that will maximise your protection

A good security system will react quickly to an alarm condition, ie intruder or presence of smoke, and it should hardly ever false alarm.  Beware of security panels that form part of another system - ie  the lighting system,  They may use sensors that are extra "hot" to quickly turn the lights on for occupants - these can give rise to false alarms and will lead to an unreliable alarm system.

Layer 3: External
The outermost layer, consisting of beams or detectors in the area outside the house that is not connected to the alarm system sirens but instead alerts the occupants via a chime or lights that there may be someone outside.

Layer 2: Perimeter
This is the connection of the doors and windows to the alarm system.  Usually with door reeds "bugs" and glass break detectors, the alarm will sound if a door or window is forced or broken when the alarm is set.

Layer 1: Internal
Commonly consisting of Dual PIR and Microwave detectors placed in all rooms on all floors, the PIR's will alert a client that there is someone in the house.

Layer 0: Panic Buttons
Usually located by the master bed or in the hall outside children's bedrooms, the Panic button is great for piece of mind.  If all else fails you can hit a button and know that help is on the way.  Often the panic button will take the form of an alarm keypad that will show the occupants the status of all the zones in the house - a useful tool for keeping an eye on the kids sneaking out! or a 2-button press (so it is not easily set off by accident)

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