A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.