Be Proactive and Flexible with Virtual Guard
The need for robust security systems has never been more critical. Businesses and residential properties alike are seeking advanced solutions to protect their assets and ensure the safety of occupants. One such revolutionary approach is visual alarm monitoring services — which are a natural fit for many industries, such as all varieties of retail, new construction, financial institutions, and more.
Today we’re exploring how visual alarm monitoring services work, their benefits, and why they may be a superior choice compared to traditional on-site security guards. As a premier security solutions integrator, ProTech Security has decades of experience in matching our clients with perfect-fit security solutions — which includes our visual alarm monitoring service Virtual Guard. Let’s dive in.
Security You Can Count On: ProTech Security has a 45-year history as a premier custom security integrator. Learn more about us in this video.
What is Visual Alarm Monitoring?
Visual alarm monitoring is an advanced security solution that combines the use of cameras, sensors, and software to provide real-time surveillance and alarm verification. When an alarm is triggered, the system captures and transmits visual data to a monitoring center, where security professionals can quickly assess the situation and respond appropriately.
Comparison to Traditional Alarm Systems
Traditional alarm monitoring uses detection devices on a property to create on-site security zones. When a zone senses movement, or a change, it transmits an alarm to the monitoring center. Because these zones do not provide the monitoring center agent with any visual information about the cause of the alarm, more than 95% of alarms are false alarms and don’t lead to the apprehension of criminals.
Video alarm monitoring services combine the principles of alarm system monitoring with on-site cameras, giving the alarm monitoring agent instant access to see exactly what caused an alarm to occur and providing the client the immediate and accurate response they desire.
In real-time, the monitoring agent can gain a visual understanding of what activated the security system and have situational awareness by watching live video on cameras. This eliminates the need for a response to false alarms and ensures a faster response to events that warrant it.
Benefits of Visual Alarm Monitoring Services
Enhanced Security
Real-time visual verification of alarms allows security personnel to quickly assess the situation, identify potential threats, and take appropriate action. This level of insight is not possible with traditional alarm systems.
Quick Response
With visual confirmation, response times are significantly reduced. Security teams can prioritize genuine threats and deploy resources more effectively.
False Alarm Reduction
We’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. False alarms are a common issue with traditional alarm systems. Visual verification helps eliminate unnecessary responses to non-threatening situations, saving time and resources.
Deterrence
The presence of visible surveillance cameras acts as a powerful deterrent to potential intruders. Knowing they are being watched significantly reduces the likelihood of criminal activity.
How Visual Alarm Monitoring Works
Visual alarm monitoring is straightforward in practice and highly effective. Here’s a step-by-step of the process:
- Alarm Triggered — Sensors detect unusual activity and trigger an alarm.
- Visual Data Captured — Cameras immediately capture visual data of the area.
- Data Transmitted — The visual data is transmitted to a monitoring center in real time.
- Situation Assessed — Security professionals review the visual feed to assess the situation.
- Appropriate Response — Based on the assessment, the appropriate response is initiated, whether it’s alerting law enforcement, dispatching security personnel, or dismissing a false alarm.
Integration with Existing Systems
Visual alarm monitoring services, including ProTech’s Virtual Guard, can be integrated with existing security systems, enhancing their effectiveness without the need for a complete overhaul. It’s not an either-or proposition. Existing intrusion detection systems and video surveillance can be synchronized with visual alarm monitoring, adding additional functionality to your complete system without a full replacement.
Ideal for Real-Life Scenarios
Consider a retail environment — this could be anything from a car dealership or a Main Street boutique. An alarm is triggered by movement after hours. With visual alarm monitoring, the security team can quickly determine whether it is an actual security event or simply a false alarm. Is there unauthorized personnel on the premises? Or was the alarm triggered by wandering wildlife? Visual alarm monitoring provides critical insight to make the call quickly.
Visual Alarm Monitoring vs. Traditional On-Site Security Guards
When comparing visual alarm monitoring to traditional on-site security guards, several factors come into play:
Cost Efficiency
Visual alarm monitoring can be more cost-effective than hiring and maintaining a team of security guards. It eliminates the need for constant human presence and the associated costs that come with it.
Coverage and Reliability
Cameras can provide 24/7 coverage without fatigue, ensuring consistent monitoring. Security guards, while valuable, can only cover limited areas and may be subject to human error or limitations in detecting initial intrusions.
Scalability
Visual alarm monitoring systems can be easily scaled to cover larger areas or additional properties, making them ideal for growing businesses. Whereas additional space means additional guards are needed to ensure adequate coverage.
Response Time
The speed and accuracy of visual alarm monitoring systems in identifying and responding to threats often surpass that of human security guards. There is travel time for guards to reach the site of the incident, time that is eliminated when remote agents can access the area immediately upon notification.
Safety
Remote monitoring eliminates the risk to human security personnel, who may face dangerous situations during an intrusion.
Integrate Visual Alarm Monitoring Services with ProTech Security
Visual alarm monitoring services provide a significant enhancement to traditional security measures. They offer real-time visual verification, quick response times, and effective deterrence, making them a superior choice for many applications. As technology continues to advance, these systems will only become more efficient and integral to comprehensive security strategies.
For more than 45 years, ProTech Security has acted as a premier custom security integrator for commercial and residential clients in Northeast Ohio and Central Florida. We tap into our long-standing relations and established partnerships with the best vendors in the industry to identify and create customized security solutions that best serve our clients’ needs. For example, our Virtual Guard offering is powered by technology partner CheKt and its visual alarm monitoring system — which features proactive and flexible solutions to the security challenges of today.
For more information on how visual alarm monitoring services can enhance your security, contact our team today.
