You can install your own home security system and save money.  No doubt.  The NYTimes has an article that points to the end of the professional security installer and integrator.  Really?! 

It's no secret that today virtually anything and everything can be done yourself (DIY).  There's even a DIY kidney removal on the Internet- just Google it.  DIY has been around forever and will always be there.  As something new comes along that requires 'professional' installation, another 'professional' is looking at how to make money by making it DIY.

DIY security has been around for a long time.  So has DIY networking, audio/ video, computing, etc.   Manufacturers are making systems to sell out the front door with wizards to make it easy for the DIY crowd as they sell virtually the same systems out the back door to professional installers to be professionally installed.  That's how it is.

In reality, the DIY crowd will never change.  For the non-DIY crowd which is larger, things stay the same too.  The pay-for-service crowd aka non-DIY is one which has and always will pay someone else for valued advice, service and support.  They may be able to do it themselves, maybe not, but that's not the point.  They don't want to for various reasons.  They want it done for them and done right.  They also want someone to call when it doesn't work.  

So, DIY crowd, go ahead and do it yourself.  You always have.  Everybody else, hire a pro and get it done right for you.  We can all coexist happily.