Recording video with your CCTV is fine if you don’t mind reacting to things that have already happened. A security camera monitoring service offers you the convenience of being able to respond during a threat in real-time to minimize loss or damages. What should you consider when selecting a camera monitoring service?
- How does the monitoring company respond to threats? – Will the company call and alert you to potential threats? Do they call emergency services directly?
- Live monitoring vs. analytics – You’re often going to pay more to have someone watching your cameras 24/7 because the monitoring company has to pay someone 24/7 to be watching. Services that work based on analytics rely on your smart cameras to detect situations that require a response.
- What is included? – You’re going to see a wide range of costs when it comes to video monitoring services. However, this is usually related to what is included in the service. For example, a less expensive service may have a limit on how many events they will respond to per month before you face additional charges. It’s a good option if you don’t require many responses, allowing you to save money during the months you don’t require as much assistance from the service.
- Do you have the right cameras? – Video monitoring services often make use of analytics that are built into the camera system. Rather than someone looking at a live feed 24/7, they rely on things like facial recognition, motion sensors, and other built-in functions. If this is the type of service you want, you will need the right cameras.
What Your Security Monitoring Service Should Detect
Depending on your business needs, here are some of the things you want your security camera monitoring company to detect for you.
- Loitering
- Afterhours access
- Invisible fence crossing
- Equipment leave behind
If you are working with a service that has someone watching at all times, you are relying on a person to see what happens and respond accordingly. With analytics, you are relying on the camera to catch bad guys in the act and be able to determine the difference between a false alarm and a real danger. The good news is that modern cameras can do this better than ever and are often the cheaper and more accurate option.
A Security Monitoring Service for Virginia and Maryland Businesses
Surveillance Secure offers security monitoring services to our clients in Virginia and Maryland, so you can respond in real-time to events that occur at your place of business. To learn more, contact us today at 877-388-1248.
Virginia DCJS Private Security Services ID #11-6085