Integrated security and communications system with secure communications link

There is provided an integrated security and communications system for monitoring user premises. The system includes at least one sensor (15), at least one alarm output device (110), at least one user control interface (13) located at the user premises and a system controller (11) connected to the sensor (15), the alarm output device (110) and the user control interface (13).At least one of the at least one user control interface (13) is connected to an external data network and is arranged to display electronic mail and/or Internet data upon entry of an arming or disarming security system command at the user control interface. There is also provided an integrated security and communications method for monitoring user premises. The method comprises : providing at least one sensor (15), providing at least one alarm output device (110), providing at least one user control interface (13) at the user premises, and providing a system controller (11) connected to the sensor (15), the alarm output device (110) and the user control interface (13). The at least one of the at least one user control interface (13) is connected to an external data network and is arranged to display electronic mail and/or Internet data upon entry of an arming or disarming security system command at the user control interface.