our history

SDA Security was started in 1930 by Harold Eales. Originally called San Diego Burglar Alarm Company, Eales installed and monitored alarms made from the brake drums of automobiles. In a newspaper article, Eales is quoted as saying that this business alarm was so loud "it made your hair stand on end." By 1948, the company serviced more than 450 customers and had hundreds of miles of wire running throughout downtown San Diego.

In the early 1960's, a radical shift in the alarm industry changed the scope of the business. Traditionally, all alarm calls went directly to the local fire or police station for first response. Heavy call volume and a high percentage of 'false alarms' eventually caused the departments to relinquish their responsibility in receiving direct alarm transmissions which drastically changed the type of service that San Diego Burglar Alarm Company had to provide their customers. Harold Eales created a Central Station in downtown San Diego and hired a staff of employees to provide 24-hour monitoring of all alarm transmissions.

In 1965, Harold's only son, Rodney, joined the company and installed, sold and serviced alarm systems. Within five years, Rod encouraged his father to purchase a new building location and make upgrades to the company's Central Station. By 1975, with the business growing steadily, Rod became Vice President, overseeing daily operations.

In 1980, Harold Eales passed away, leaving the helm of the company to his son. As the technology and services in the industry evolved, Rod felt that the name of the company should also change to reflect the new and advanced services being provided. In 1995, San Diego Burglar Alarm Company officially changed its name to SDA Security. In that same year the company added a branch office in Riverside and broadened its selection of system options for customers.

In 2007, Shandon Harbour, Rod's daughter, took over as President of SDA Security. As the third generation leading the company, Shandon has restructured and reteamed SDA Security to represent its new advanced and cutting edge identity. While maintaining SDA Security's strong reputation in the community, Shandon is dedicated to growth and staying competitive in the rapidly-changing market.
Today with over 7,000 customers, SDA Security has been in business for over 75 years and is the leading security systems provider in Southern California.