Remote Security Monitoring: What are the benefits?

As a general rule, most businesses manage and monitor their video surveillance internally, via their facilities in house security team. However, with many people now working from home, the benefits of opting for remotely monitored security systems are becoming increasingly more evident.

Enabling an IP CCTV system to be accessible on a smartphone has become increasingly popular over recent years, with business owners and managing agents looking for 24/7 reassurance that they can monitor their site from any location. Provided the recording equipment is connected to the internet via an ethernet, most popular manufacturers (such as Hikvision, Bosch, Axis and Hanwha) have mobile applications where users can watch real-time surveillance video, as well as play back historical footage at any time. If the cameras installed have smart features and analytics (such as line-crossing detection) installed, the app can send notifications to the users mobile instantaneously.

Not only can systems be monitored remotely by the business itself, but an alarm receiving centre (ARC) can receive notifications of activations (for both intruder alarms and IP CCTV), to alert in the event of a security breach. Keyholders and, in some cases, the emergency services can be on-site within a matter of minutes. As soon as a suspected intruder is detected and confirmed at the premises, using built-in PIR detectors or even artificial intelligence in some modern IP video surveillance cameras, a live broadcast from the site is shown to an operator. They will then use their experience and expertise to assess the potential security breach and raise the alarm if necessary. The operator can also issue an audio warning, if compatible hardware is in place, instructing the intruder to leave before further action is taken.

When looking to remotely monitor your premises, it is incredibly important for your monitoring provider (otherwise known as Alarm Receiving Centre or ARC) to meet strict and thorough requirements around staff vetting, the physical security of the building and their service resilience procedures to reinstate services in the event of a catastrophic failure. To ensure these requirements are met, it is advised to use BS8484 accredited ARCs – this accreditation is the industry standard which ensures there are safe-guarding features in place to prevent both physical attack at the centre and power failures. It is also worth noting that only accredited remote monitoring providers are granted a Unique Reference Number (URN) by the UK Police force, which means that any calls from the ARC are prioritised by Police as ‘Level 1’ emergencies and can significantly reduce response times in the event of an incident.

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Here at Watch Systems Ltd, we are partnered with EMCS - the UK's leading independent alarm receiving centre, who have been awarded NSI Gold awards for both intruder and fire alarm systems, as well as being one of the first centres to be accredited for CCTV monitoring. We are able to offer a reliable remote monitoring security solution whereby security threats can be detected, assessed and responded to quickly with minimal false alarms. For more information, click here.