CCTV Monitoring Vs Guards: Which is Best?

When it comes to securing your site out of hours, you have two main options: remote CCTV monitoring or employing security guards. Both have key advantages and disadvantages.

This article is a solid read for anyone in charge of site security, who is evaluating their security options. Whether you are looking to reduce costs, improve detection or are reviewing your objectives, you’ll get value from this article.

So, remote CCTV monitoring vs guards, which is best?

Read the article to find out more.

What you will learn

• An overview of CCTV monitoring vs employing security guards

• Typical costs for hiring guards and installing CCTV systems
• Real-world scenarios where CCTV and guards excel
• How CCTV monitoring and keyholding services reduce expenses
• Which option is best for your site and premises

How remote CCTV monitoring works

Remote security camera monitoring uses advanced technology to provide 24/7 or out-of-hours surveillance.

Cameras fitted with sensors detect intruders.

When threats are detected, they are reviewed immediately by our central security team,

Where action is necessary, the appropriate action is taken.

To summarise, the systems include: 

• CCTV cameras
• Motion sensors
• Beams
• IR illuminators 

Furthermore, the system is connected to an alarm receiving centre, otherwise known as an ARC or CCTV monitoring station.

As mentioned above, the monitoring station receives alarm signals in real-time, responding to any confirmed threats immediately.

Related reading: What is CCTV monitoring?

Cost effective 24-hour security & monitored surveillance

After the initial setup, remote monitoring can be significantly cheaper than employing full-time security guards. 

In many cases, up to 90% less expensive. 

One significant advantage of remote security camera monitoring is its cost-effectiveness.

Additionally, the technology deployed in surveillance monitoring systems ensures constant footage without the need for physical presence, which further reduces labour costs.

Employing security guards – an overview

Security guards provide a physical presence that can deter criminals. 

In summary, their ability to assess situations in real-time and make quick decisions is invaluable, and a significant advantage.

Security guards can patrol large areas, respond to incidents instantly, and provide a visible deterrent to potential intruders.

Owners of businesses and staff may often feel the presence of a guard makes the site a little safer. It’s true, if you are working the night shift, or are working late, you may feel better protected by having another human on site.

However, employing security guards can be expensive. 

Let’s take a look.

An expensive security option?

Salaries, benefits, and the need for multiple guards to cover different shifts add up quickly. Additionally, there is always the risk of human error, which can compromise security.

In the UK, the yearly salary for security guards can vary depending on factors such as location, level of experience, type of employer, and the specific security role.

As of 2024, here’s a general breakdown:

• Entry-level security guards: £18,000 to £22,000 per year
• Mid-level or experienced security guards: £22,000 to £28,000 per year
• Supervisors or senior security roles: £28,000 to £35,000 per year

The salaries can also be higher in major cities like London, where living costs are higher and security demands may be greater.

Comparing remote CCTV monitoring vs guards

When comparing remote monitoring vs employing security guards, it’s essential to consider these factors. 

• Threat detection and response
• Coverage and scalability
• Cost Comparison
• Flexibility

In this section of the blog, we will evaluate each factor, and summarise which solution is best – CCTV remote monitoring or guards.

Threat detection and response

Remote CCTV monitoring systems use advanced technology to detect threats instantly. 

While security guards can respond immediately on-site, they may not cover large areas as efficiently as a remote system that monitors multiple points simultaneously.

Monitored CCTV systems incorporate a range of cameras and intruder detection devices, and as a result, are designed to detect and detect and range of threats.

When considering the role of guards, their physical presence could be a deterrent to criminals. However, there have been many instances throughout history of guards being assaulted or worse, by those breaking into a site.

Lastly, if a guard is on-site, they can respond to threats instantly. This is particularly true for smaller sites. On the other hand, for medium to larger sites guards may face challenges of providing a physical deterrent or even dealing with the threat effectively.

CCTV monitoring vs guards: Threat detection – who wins?

Considering the above, for us, CCTV monitoring systems are designed to detect all threats, and as a result, are less prone to human error.

On the other hand, having a human presence on-site across key areas can offer immediate response times.

Let’s give this one a draw…

Comparing the costs

When considering CCTV monitoring, there are various options.

If you need cameras fitted, and ongoing monitoring you pay for the initial installation costs, along with ongoing expenses for monitoring and maintenance.

However, if you already have a CCTV camera system installed, you only pay a very modest fixed monthly subscription for the ongoing service and maintenance.

In contrast, hiring security guards requires ongoing monthly salaries with no upfront costs.

Entry-level guards cost between £18,000 and £22,000 per year, mid-level or experienced guards range from £22,000 to £28,000, and senior supervisors can cost up to £35,000 annually.

CCTV monitoring, combined with keyholding and rapid response services, is up to 90% less expensive than employing full-time security personnel.

Therefore security camera monitoring provides a cost-effective, yet reliable security solution for businesses.

CCTV remote monitoring vs security guards: Comparing costs – who wins?

When comparing the costs of monitored CCTV vs employing guards, it’s clear the former wins hands down.

With savings of up to 90% against the cost of onsite guards, CCTV remote monitoring is the clear winner.

Coverage and scalability

Remote monitoring provides extensive coverage, especially for large or complex sites. It’s easily scalable, meaning you can expand the system as needed.

Security guards, on the other hand, may struggle to cover large areas without sufficient staffing, which increases costs.

Yes, guards can monitor cameras, but across an extensive site, the ability to deal with threats internally is diminished.

Guard patrols are largely a thing of the past, however, companies still rely on a physical presence across their site to deal with threats.

CCTV monitoring vs guards: Coverage and scalability – who wins?

When considering whether a wide area is best covered by a monitored system or guards, CCTV monitoring clearly comes out on top.

In terms of scalability, installing new cameras across new areas of the site and adding them to a monitored system is much easier than entering into a recruitment process to recruit more guards.

CCTV monitoring is the clear winner, here.

Flexibility and adaptability

CCTV remote monitoring systems are highly adaptable. 

They can be updated with new technology, such as AI analytics, without requiring physical changes.

Security guards, however, may need additional training or support to adapt to new threats or environments.

This could incur further costs on top of salaries and other costs of employing security personnel.

Remote CCTV monitoring vs guards: Adaptability and scalability – who wins?

I think this one is of the least importance and there’s no real winner.

Let’s call this one a draw….

Choosing the right option for your needs

The decision between remote CCTV camera monitoring vs employing security guards depends on your specific security requirements. 

For large, complex sites that require constant surveillance, remote monitoring may be the best option. It offers comprehensive coverage, cost savings, and adaptability.

However, for locations where a visible security presence is essential, or where immediate physical intervention is required, employing security guards may be more suitable. 

In some cases, a hybrid approach, combining remote monitoring with security guards, can provide the best of both worlds, ensuring both comprehensive surveillance and a physical deterrent.

CCTV monitoring vs guards a quick summary

In the debate of remote monitoring versus employing security guards, both options have their strengths.

Remote monitoring offers cost-effective, 24/7 surveillance, making it ideal for large or complex sites.

Security guards provide immediate, on-the-ground response and a visible presence that can deter intruders.

However, when it comes down to CCTV monitoring vs guards, there’s one clear winner.

CCTV monitoring.

Savings of up to 90% against the cost of employing guards.

Accurate, advanced threat detection.

What could be better?

Factors to consider

Here are a few considerations to think about prior to taking action in anything you’ve read in this article:

• The initial setup and maintenance costs for CCTV systems
• The affordability of employing security guards
• Your specific site layout and security needs
• Your desired response times to confirmed threats
• How much you could save by investing in CCTV monitoring