Answers to Common Questions About Business Security Solutions
Choosing between commercial building security systems requires clear answers, not guesswork. This FAQ page addresses common questions about ProTech Security’s commercial security solutions, including video surveillance, access control, monitoring, visitor management, and advanced detection technologies.
Whether you’re evaluating a new system, upgrading existing infrastructure, or planning for long-term security, these answers are designed to help business and institutional decision-makers understand their options and make informed decisions.
For questions specific to your facility or industry, our team can provide a tailored security assessment. For system troubleshooting or customer support questions, visit our Customer Support FAQs.
Commercial Security Solutions Overview
Q: What’s the best commercial security system for a business?
A: The best commercial security system for a business is designed to address your unique needs and keep your business protected with video security, fire detection, visitor management, mobile app monitoring, and more. A partner like ProTech Security can help you develop a custom security plan based on your business’s requirements.
Q: What is the best commercial security system for a small business?
A: Businesses big and small have unique needs, and ProTech Security is equipped to provide comprehensive custom systems tailored to your precise specifications. The best commercial security system is flexible and designed to match your budget, building size, and unique requirements, allowing you to benefit from trusted monitoring without overpaying for a system you don’t need.
Q: What commercial security solutions does ProTech Security offer?
A: ProTech Security provides a full suite of business-grade security services including intrusion detection, access control, video surveillance, mobile access management, visitor management, Virtual Guard services, fire detection, and integrated security platforms tailored to your facility and industry.
Q: What can you share about how to design a security system for commercial buildings?
A: ProTech Security begins with a thorough risk assessment and site evaluation to understand your facility and security goals. We then design a customized solution integrating video surveillance, access control, monitoring, and other technologies to ensure operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
Q: Can ProTech Security design a security system for my specific industry?
A: Yes. ProTech Security customizes security solutions for retail, healthcare, financial institutions, educational campuses, manufacturing, and multi-site organizations to meet specific risks, operational needs, and compliance requirements.
Q: How long does a commercial security installation take?
A: Installation timelines vary based on site size and complexity, but ProTech Security provides a detailed plan and project schedule to minimize operational disruption.
Q: Can ProTech Security integrate multiple security systems into one platform?
A: Yes. ProTech Security can integrate access control, video surveillance, intrusion alarms, fire detection, and visitor management systems into a unified security platform for streamlined monitoring and response.
Video Surveillance & Monitoring
Q: How can video surveillance protect my business and assets?
A: Video surveillance provides 24/7 monitoring, real-time alerts, and recorded evidence, allowing faster response during incidents and remote viewing of live or historical footage.
Q: How does video monitoring improve incident response?
A: Video monitoring provides real-time visibility into events, allowing operators to verify alerts quickly and coordinate with first responders, reducing response time and limiting potential damage.
Q: What is Virtual Guard, and how does it work?
A: Virtual Guard is a 24/7 security monitoring service that combines cameras, speakers, strobe lights, and cloud-connected monitoring to observe your property continuously. When suspicious activity occurs, it triggers alerts and automated actions while professional operators communicate with intruders and dispatch authorities if needed.
Q: Can I monitor my business security system remotely?
A: Yes, you can monitor your security system remotely using a strategic setup from ProTech Security. Our solutions support mobile and web-based access, enabling you to view video feeds, arm or disarm systems, and manage alerts from anywhere.
Q: What is the difference between professional monitoring and self-monitoring?
A: Self-monitoring relies on your staff to respond to alerts, while professional monitoring provides 24/7 supervision by trained operators who verify alarms and coordinate responses, reducing false alarms and response time. Our monitoring centers feature redundant, UL-listed, and multi-path infrastructure, leading to reliability with 99.9% uptime.
Q: How much is a video surveillance system?
A: When determining how much a video surveillance system will cost, it’s important to work with a provider who takes the time to identify your building’s unique needs and specifications, as well as your budget. At ProTech Security, we work with our customers to determine the best solutions to provide the surveillance and peace of mind they seek without unnecessarily high costs.
Access Control & Identity Management
Q: What is a commercial access control system, and why does my business need it?
A: Access control lets you manage who enters your building or sensitive areas, providing real-time control, audit logs, and integration with other security systems to reduce theft, workplace violence, and unauthorized access. With ProTech Security, you can design a commercial access control system tailored to your needs and ready to serve your security needs around the clock. Additionally, you can implement access control systems with no keys, and it’s simple to add or remove terms for new hires and departures.
Q: How do businesses use access control systems to keep employees and facilities safe?
A: Businesses use access control systems to keep essential property and personnel safe in a multitude of ways: monitoring entrances and exits, instilling identification checkpoints, and restricting building access during specified times. You can set up scheduled openings, and closings, meaning there is no need to rely on employees to lock up.
Q: What is remote access control, and how does it work?
A: Remote access control allows authorized users to unlock doors, manage permissions, and monitor access events via smartphone or tablet, eliminating the need for physical keys or badges. This style of mobile access control provides total security support and decision-making capabilities at your fingertips.
Q: Can access permissions be changed or revoked remotely?
A: Yes. Administrators can grant, modify, or revoke access instantly from a centralized platform, ensuring only authorized personnel can enter sensitive areas.
Q: How does access control help reduce internal theft and unauthorized access?
A: Access control tracks who enters specific areas, limits entry to authorized personnel, and provides detailed logs for auditing. Role-based permissions and activity monitoring help to detect and respond to suspicious behavior quickly.
Visitor Management Systems
Q: What is a visitor management system, and how does it improve business security?
A: A visitor management system digitally tracks guests, including check-in/check-out times, credentials, and host notifications, replacing paper logs with real-time visibility and audit trails — critical for visibility into must-know elements such as criminal and sexual offender records.
Q: How does a visitor management system work in a commercial environment?
A: Visitors register via kiosks, tablets, or mobile devices, receive temporary credentials, and are logged automatically. The system can integrate with access control and video surveillance for enhanced security.
Q: What types of businesses benefit most from visitor management systems?
A: Offices, healthcare facilities, schools, manufacturing plants, financial institutions, and multi-tenant buildings benefit most, where tracking non-employees is critical for safety, compliance, and accountability.
Q: Do visitor management systems help with compliance and audits?
A: Yes. Digital logs provide time-stamped records that support compliance requirements, internal audits, and incident investigations.
Specialized Detection & Advanced Security Technologies
Q: What are specialized detection systems in commercial security?
A: Specialized detection systems identify specific threats, such as gunshot detection, license plate recognition, perimeter analytics, or advanced video analytics for high-risk environments.
Q: When should a business consider specialized detection systems?
A: Businesses facing elevated risk, operating in public-facing environments, or managing large campuses should consider specialized detection to improve situational awareness and response times.
Q: What technologies exist to support firearm safety for businesses?
A: Businesses can use gunshot detection systems to support firearm safety for businesses by identifying the sound of gunfire, pinpoint locations, and automatically enable building lock downs and notifications to first responders.
Q: How does gunshot detection improve emergency response?
A: Because gunshot detection provides real-time alerts to security teams and first responders, it can help identify these instances faster and reduce response time.
Q: Can specialized detection systems integrate with existing security infrastructure?
A: Yes. These systems typically integrate with video, access control, mass notification, and monitoring platforms to provide a unified response.
Video Storage & Infrastructure Decisions
Q: How long does the average security camera store footage?
A: How long the average security camera stores footage will depend on the product specifications and overall system setup. That’s why it’s essential to choose additional storage solutions for long-term storage. During the system design, ProTech Security works with you to identify the appropriate storage needed based on customer requirements, including length of retention.
Q: What are some insights on how to store security camera footage?
A: Security camera footage can be stored in multiple ways, including cloud storage solutions and on-premise video storage. When choosing security cameras and working with a security solutions provider like ProTech Security, you can determine which option is best for your needs.
Q: What is the difference between cloud and on-premise video storage?
A: Cloud storage stores footage offsite with remote access, while on-premise storage keeps video data on local servers within your facility.
Q: What are the advantages of cloud-based video storage?
A: Cloud storage offers scalability, remote access, reduced onsite hardware, automatic updates, and improved redundancy.
Q: When does on-premise video storage make more sense?
A: On-premise storage is ideal when businesses need strict data control, limited bandwidth, or regulatory compliance requiring onsite storage.
Q: Can businesses use a hybrid cloud and on-premise video solution?
A: Yes. Hybrid solutions combine local recording with cloud backup for flexibility, control, and accessibility.
Q: Is cloud video storage secure for commercial use?
A: Yes. Commercial cloud platforms use encryption, access controls, and redundant data centers to protect footage.
Fire Detection & Life Safety
Q: How many smoke detectors are required for my facility?
A: The number of smoke detectors required for your facility will be determined by the size and layout of your building, as well as your fire risk, which can be determined by your industry and average building usage. An experienced fire detection support partner like ProTech Security can help you understand how many smoke detectors are required. Our licensed technicians and design engineers will spec your system to code.
Q: Do commercial retail businesses need smoke detectors?
A: Yes, commercial businesses in retail and other industries require the presence of smoke detectors in order to meet the safety regulations set by the NFPA and other local organizations.
Q: What are the best commercial smoke detectors to buy?
A: The best commercial smoke detectors to buy are those that are trusted, safety tested, and pair with other fire detection and life safety products to create a comprehensive and effective system.
Q: What types of fire detection systems does ProTech Security offer for businesses?
A: ProTech Security offers smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, heat sensors, manual pull stations, and integrated alarm panels that meet NFPA and local fire codes.
Q: How do fire detection systems integrate with other security solutions?
A: They can connect with access control, video surveillance, mass notification, and monitoring platforms for automated alerts and coordinated responses.
Q: What is a monitored fire alarm system? What is the difference between monitored and unmonitored fire alarms?
A: A monitored fire alarm system is designed to continuously transmit fire presence detection data to an offsite location to add an extra layer of protection and vigilance. Our monitored alarms connect to ProTech Security’s 24/7 monitoring center for immediate emergency response, while unmonitored alarms only alert on-site occupants.
Q: How can businesses ensure compliance with fire safety regulations?
A: Compliance is maintained through NFPA-compliant systems, regular inspections, accurate recordkeeping, and integration with monitoring and alert systems.
Q: How does ProTech Security support businesses using POTS lines for security systems?
A: ProTech Security helps maintain or transition POTS lines, ensuring reliable alarm signaling in locations without broadband. They assess infrastructure, recommend upgrades, and integrate legacy lines with modern monitoring platforms for compliance and continuous protection.
Ongoing Support & Maintenance
Q: What’s a business security plan example?
A: A strong, effective business security plan example begins by choosing a tailored product system recommended by a trusted security provider. Once this foundation is set, that partner should continue to provide ongoing support and maintenance to keep that system in its best condition and ensure it’s working effectively for your business, even as your needs may shift or grow.
Q: What level of support does ProTech Security provide after installation?
A: ProTech Security offers ongoing inspections, monitoring, and service agreements to keep systems reliable year-round.
Q: How often should commercial security systems be reviewed or upgraded?
A: Systems should be inspected annually to ensure they are operating as the business needs. In addition, whenever there is a change – new construction, building modification, change in operating procedure – reviews should be conducted to ensure systems remain effective against evolving threats.
Q: How does proactive commercial security maintenance improve system reliability?
A: Proactive maintenance identifies potential issues before failure, maximizing uptime, maintaining performance, and ensuring continuous protection.
Q: Can commercial security systems help reduce insurance risk?
A: Yes. Professionally installed and monitored systems often qualify for reduced premiums because they lower the risk of theft, vandalism, and loss.
