Version 2 of K21046 Hosted Alarm Solution Published
Kiwa has released version 2 of the Certification Scheme K21046 Hosted Alarm Solutions. The K21046 scheme enables alarm receiving centres to store data and manage processes securely outside the physical alarm centre under defined conditions. In this setup, processing equipment is located (partially) in a data centre. With this update, Kiwa responds to ongoing technological developments and the growing demand for flexible, secure cloud‑based solutions.
Key Updates in Version 2
The new version of the scheme includes several enhancements and clarifications, such as:
- Integration of private and public cloud solutions
- Incorporation of the seven cybersecurity objectives from the draft version of the new EN 50518
- Clearer delineation of responsibilities between provider and user
- An updated “Kiwa certified” certification mark
Transition Period for Existing Certificate Holders
The updated scheme was published on 9 March 2026.
Companies that are already certified will have a transition period of two years. New applications will be assessed immediately against the requirements of version 2.
Background: Why the K21046 Scheme?
Under the Dutch Private Security Organisations and Detective Agencies Act (Wpbr), private alarm receiving centres must be certified according to EN 50518 Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres. For many years, this standard required that data be stored exclusively within the physically secured premises of the alarm centre.
As the need for external data storage and processing increased in practice, Kiwa developed the K21046 Hosted Alarm Solutions scheme. It provides a secure, controlled method for storing data externally without compromising security or availability.
What Is a Hosted Alarm Platform?
A hosted alarm platform is a technical solution in which the equipment used for alarm processing is not located entirely within the alarm centre but is (partially) hosted in data centres or distributed across multiple alarm receiving centres. By using a hosted alarm platform, the alarm receiving centre benefits from technical support and enhanced continuity of alarm processing and handling. Housing infrastructure and equipment in data centres and/or EN 50518‑certified alarm centres, and distributing data across multiple locations for redundancy, significantly increases availability. The alarm receiving centre connects to the servers through a secure session, which facilitates alarm handling in the Alarm Management System (AMS) via a client.
