Abstract: A monitoring system for use with an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is disclosed which is capable of recording alarm and other events associated with the operation of the EAS system. A preferred embodiment includes a monitor device having alarm detection capability, an alphanumeric keypad for event code entry by cognizant employee personnel, memory for storage of event data and employee identification, and means for downloading the data to a portable reader or a central processor. The monitoring system will allow store managers and electronic article surveillance manufacturers to audit the performance of installed EAS systems. Further it will provide store managers with a means of recording and thereby assessing whether store employees are responding appropriately to EAS events.