In this latest article on CCTV monitoring systems, we look at some of the main factors that make monitored CCTV an effective investment for a business.
There are many different types of business CCTV system. Each help to deliver on a range of security objectives.
In this article, we ask the question ‘Is CCTV Monitoring the Best Type of Business CCTV?’
Table of contents
- Is CCTV Monitoring the Best Type of Business CCTV?
- What is CCTV monitoring?
- Is CCTV Monitoring the Best Type of Business CCTV?
- Audio Intervention
- Preventing criminal activity and catching more criminals
- Reducing Security Costs
- The cost of security guards
- Fast Response via Keyholding Services
- Is a CCTV Monitoring System the Best Type of Business CCTV? (Summary)
- Further reading:
- Interested in CCTV monitoring for your business?
Is CCTV Monitoring the Best Type of Business CCTV?
When it comes to deterring and catching criminals, investing in a robust CCTV monitoring system is a wise choice.
Businesses face a range of security threats on an ongoing basis including:
- Theft – business and staff property
- Vandalism – business premises, vehicles in the car park and more
- Trespass – those breaking in and posing danger to themselves
- Anti-social behaviour – staff bullying and altercations
- Internal disputes – theft, harassment, unauthorised access
- Employee and visitor safety – monitoring the car park, and providing a safe environment
An article by the FSB shows that when it comes to traditional crime, such as fraud, robbery and criminal damage, the cost to UK based firms is in the region of £17 billion each year.
For those businesses, looking for an advanced security set up, remote CCTV monitoring provides a range of features and benefits.
These include:
- Preventing criminal activity and catching more criminals
- Reducing the costs of security through an investment in technology
- Providing improved security alongside manned guarding
- Tracking every move the potential criminal makes around your site
- Audio intervention – alerting intruder that they are being watched
- Fast response via keyholding services
What is CCTV monitoring?
For those new to the concept of monitored CCTV, here’s a quick definition.
CCTV monitoring is where a team of security professionals remotely monitor your security cameras.
Your security cameras are set up to incorporate motion sensors or infra red beams.
When these sensors / beams are triggered, it sends an alert to the CCTV monitoring station for them to view the live footage and take the right action.
Is CCTV Monitoring the Best Type of Business CCTV?
In the rest of this short article, we look at four of main features of CCTV monitoring in more detail:
- Audio intervention
- Preventing criminal activity and catching more criminals
- Reducing security costs
- Fast response via keyholding services
Audio Intervention
24/7 remote CCTV monitoring systems can be designed to incorporate audio intervention.
If your monitored CCTV system is triggered and a potential security threat uncovered, your security professionals can communicate with the intruder via audio (tannoy) .
By communicating with the intruder and letting them know they are under surveillance, audio intervention provides you with a solid crime deterrent.
Preventing criminal activity and catching more criminals
Most companies use on-site security guards to view and monitor CCTV footage.
Whilst the remit of the guards may be to watch over your security camera footage, human error can occasionally lead to them missing something.
It’s down to those in charge of security to know just how costly those missed security threats could be.
Sophisticated criminals, when planning their activity, may have a range of information.
This could include, when security shifts start and stop, when the guards are on patrol and where the opportunities to commit crime are.
The combination of a quality CCTV installation, infrared beams or sensors, means that even if the guards miss something, your monitored security camera system won’t.
Fewer threats missed means less crime committed.
If more crimes are prevented, your security systems are doing their job.
Reducing Security Costs
Many businesses invest in technology to improve the effectiveness of their operations and to reduce costs.
Whether it’s an accounting system, to help streamline processes, or a database to help manage sales, advancements in technology are having a huge impact on businesses.
This is no different in the world of business security systems.
Below, is a summary of how an investment in CCTV monitoring can help reduce the cost of security.
The cost of security guards
Security guards are usually between £12 – £15 per hour.
Some businesses employ guards on a 24 hour a day basis, and others for when the premises are shut or unstaffed.
Based on the above, the cost of a security professionals wages would be:
- 24 hours at £12 – £15 = £288 – £360
- 12 hours at £12 – £15 = £144 – £180
Based on the above figures, the costs of manned security is £144 – £360 per day.
These are just the costs for one guard.
When we look at these costs over the course of a month, they are as follows:
- £4,320 – £5,400 per month based on 12 hours per day
- £8,640 – £10,800 per month based on 24 hours per day
When discussing the benefits of CCTV monitoring with a customer, we usually suggest these systems can save a business around 80% against the costs of employing guards.
Based on the above figures, an investment in CCTV monitoring could save a business:
- £3,400 – £4,300 + per month based on 12 hours per day
- £6,900 – £8,640 per month based on 24 hours per day
To offer some balance, it’s important to recognise an onsite security professional may have other responsibilities in addition to watching over the security camera footage.
Nevertheless, the above figures do highlight some clear cost savings a business can make from an investment in a CCTV monitoring system.
Fast Response via Keyholding Services
As I’m sure we’ve all seen in the news, there are instances where criminals ignore the presence of security cameras.
Despite the presence of a CCTV system and signage, they believe time is on their side and still carry out their activity.
With CCTV monitoring, you can assign an external keyholder.
The role of the keyholder is to attend site in the event of the cameras spotting a security threat.
The process is simple:
- An intruder enters the site and triggers the camera sensors / beams
- An alert is sent to the CCTV monitoring station
- Audio intervention is used to warn the intruder
- The keyholder is notified and depending on the scale of the threat, they visit site themselves or contact the authorities
Is a CCTV Monitoring System the Best Type of Business CCTV? (Summary)
In this article, we have covered the main features of CCTV monitoring and how it can improve a business’s security.
Monitored CCTV systems provide so much additional value on top of a standard IP or HD CCTV installation.
On this basis alone, it’s hard to argue against the investment.
To recap:
- Audio intervention helps stop an intruder in their tracks.
- Keyholder response will help to manage and intercept security threats
- A CCTV monitoring system can reduce the overall cost of business security
Of course, there are some businesses that use CCTV purely to give them peace of mind. And not all businesses are subject to the same degree of security threats.
Therefore, we would suggest to any business reading this article to calculate the risk of crime to their business, and the impact it would have.
What impact would a significant break-in and theft have on your business?
If vandals ran riot in your car park, what could the value of the damage be?
What price do you put on the safety and security of your staff?
By answering the questions, you’ll know if CCTV monitoring is the best type of security camera system for your business.
Further reading:
If you’ve enjoyed this article on CCTV monitoring here are a few more we’ve written on this topic:
The Benefits and Advantages of CCTV Monitoring
The Benefits of Business CCTV Systems
Interested in CCTV monitoring for your business?
If you’re currently exploring your CCTV options and are interested in remote CCTV monitoring, give us a call today on 0800 689 1835 or send us an enquiry via our contact page.