Abstract: A system for securing articles is disclosed including an optically transmissive, flexible cable capable of attachment to the articles and further consisting of links and separable connectors, the connectors joining the links together to permit optical transmissions therethrough; together with a transmitter connected to the cable, for transmitting optical pulses into the cable; a receiver also connected to the cable for receiving the pulses from said transmitter after passage through the cable; and control circuitry connected to the receiver for detecting perturbations in the received pulses and activating an indicator in response as well as for allowing stand-by operation wherein the indicator is disabled while one or more connectors are separated for authorized purposes and for re-arming the system following stand-by operation.