5 Ways Remote Security Camera Monitoring Systems Safeguard Your Business
It’s normal to feel distracted by concerns about what might be going on at your office while you’re away. But what if you could monitor everything from wherever you were? That’s the beauty of a remote security monitoring system. You can rest easy knowing you can remotely check up on the safety of your employees and company assets.
An electronic security system helps protect your company, so it’s in your best interest to understand the features of remote monitoring security systems and how to choose the best provider.
What Is Remote Security Monitoring?
Remote security monitoring means keeping tabs on a space from afar, even from anywhere in the world. That means you can still keep an eye on your construction sites or offices, even if you aren’t there in person, thanks to cameras monitored remotely by yourself or a security team.
In the event of a break-in or other crime, you receive notifications on your mobile device so you and your team can act fast.
You can classify monitoring systems as either analog or digital.
- Analog systems allow you to set up alerts based on visual cues or noise within specific areas of your building. For example, an alarm could go off when someone opens your office door when you’re not there.
- Digital systems use radio signals instead of visual cues. They don’t depend on what’s physically happening around them, but instead rely on extremely fast data transfer between widely dispersed devices. They work on cellular networks as well as satellite links.
What Are the Top Features of Remote Security Monitoring Systems?
The most important feature of a remote security monitoring system is automation. It’s what allows you to use your phone or tablet to access and control office devices from anywhere.
Thanks to the Internet of Things, you can now control, monitor, and schedule lighting, heating, and cooling systems from specific control points.
Let’s go over the top five features of a remote monitoring system:
- Building automation connects all your electrical systems, surveillance devices, and even smart light switches and outlets. So you can set time-related commands, including turning lights on and off at specific times, lock and unlock your office door, and more.
- Video management system (VMS) stores and manages security, surveillance, and other video footage. Remote security camera monitoring with built-in recording can send video straight to a command center or dashboard managed by a VMS.
- 24/7 monitoring lets you know when someone is trying to enter your premises or if there is an alarm going off (and what’s causing it). You will also get notifications when certain events occur, such as a door being opened or motion detected by the camera(s).
- Real-time alerts go to your phone and notify your security team when something happens. You can also allow other employees and other concerned parties to receive alerts too.
- Secure remote access is helpful if you have more than one place of business. You’ll need a web-based software platform with centralized administration to access your system remotely. Use multi-factor authentication to control system access and use.
A remote monitoring system, like any other, monitors entryways and other potential access points. So, all of the above key features are in addition to the following basic features:
- Control panel
- Door and window sensors
- Motion sensors (interior and exterior)
- Surveillance camera systems (with night vision for outdoors)
- High-decibel alarms and sirens
Why Do You Need a Remote Security Monitoring System?
While the number of burglaries reported in 2021 are up only .03% from 2020, it is still a significant 125,536. Thefts of $5,000 or less (7%), fraud (12%), and burglaries (16%) all factor heavily into the 2021 Crime Severity Index (CSI).
Source: Statistics Canada
However, if you’re worried about security, one of the biggest threats may come from within: employee theft.
Employee theft isn’t just about stealing money; it can also include misuse of company property and corporate data. The unfortunate reality is that it takes much longer for employees to be caught and charged.
To ensure the safety of your property and employees, it makes sense to install a video surveillance system in addition to hiring security guards.
If you decide to use surveillance systems, make sure you follow federal and provincial laws, such as Ontario’s Working for Workers Act. Consult a security system monitoring service provider to ensure proper operation.
How Do You Find the Best Remote Security Monitoring Service Provider?
Do you need a way to keep unwanted visitors out of your business? Are alarms enough, or do you need something more?
Begin your search for the best service provider with the following criteria in mind:
- A good reputation and excellent track record: Look for a company that’s been around for some time, with a good name that persists among its clientele. Find out if there have been any complaints lodged against them before you partner with them.
- The best technology: Your future security partner should have advanced command and control software that detects crime faster and uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to catch criminals. Their systems should confirm incidents before reporting them, eliminating false alarms.
- An end-to-end and customizable program: Your security firm should provide you with better access to high-quality security services tailored to your specific requirements and budget. You should also look to get increased visibility and control over the locations of all your assets.
- No place for vulnerabilities and weakness: There should be no blind spots in your remote monitoring systems. The provider should have multi-site security programs tailored to each of your locations but managed through a single point of contact.
- 24/7 always-on integrated security solutions: Your remote monitoring solution should safeguard your assets and reduce cost. Work with one that has a central hub of automated and security solutions managed by skilled staff. It should link all your sites to tech-enabled solutions to boost efficiency.
For example, Logixx has provided full-service security for 47+ years across Canada. We professionally manage security systems for multi-location organizations, and it’s our mission to make your business a safer place by reducing risks and providing the best in security.
How Much Do Remote Monitoring Security Systems Generally Cost?
The annual cost of a small business remote security system will be between $1,390 and $10,870. Business.com breaks it down into the following:
- Hardware: This is usually the most expensive part. You’ll pay between $1,000 and $10,000, or $3,000 on average. And if you need to secure more than one location, your costs will be higher.
- Installation and activation of hardware: This is best left to professionals, and you’re looking at a cost of $300–$700, averaging $500.
- Business monitoring: Monitoring for alarms, cameras, and other security devices cost $40–120 per month. Cellular monitoring costs about $10 more per month than landline monitoring.
- Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity programs cost $50 per device per year, but high-end options can cost much more.
These prices are illustrative only; for an accurate estimate, you should discuss your needs with a trusted security partner.
The Bottom Line
Remote security monitoring systems have many useful features. It’s more than a video monitoring service and a team of on-site guards—it’s a fully managed system you can access from anywhere. But installing one in your workplace is costly and requires a lot of thought.
Your one-stop shop gives you not only remote video monitoring, but also a team of trained security professionals who will make sure that security operations run smoothly.
You don’t need to shop around for remote security system features. Call Logixx today! We’ll support you through the entire process.