Abstract: A security system user interface comprising a graphical display, a communication link, a memory, and a display controller. The communication link receives detector unit status data from detector units located at selected location on the premises protected by the security system. The memory stores floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data. Finally, the display controller generates a modified view of at least a portion of the floor plan diagram data in accordance with the detector unit status data to indicate the status data, and displaying the modified view on the graphical display. The invention also provides, in combination, a user interface and a user programming interface for transmitting the floor plan diagram data and the detector unit location data to the communications interface of the user interface.