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For many security conscious businesses, remote alarm monitoring has become an essential part of their crime prevention plans. Providing 24/7  protection for businesses and properties, these monitored solutions offer many benefits to businesses, large and small.

But how does alarm monitoring work?

This article breaks down the components and processes involved in remotely monitored alarm systems, explaining how it ensures round-the-clock security, and reduced the need to and cost of employing internal guards.

We also include some information on monitored CCTV. Many businesses combine alarm and CCTV monitoring into one crime-fighting solution, as these services are quite similar.

Table of contents

What you will learn

  • How these systems and solutions work
  • The core components of remote alarm monitoring systems
  • How intruder detection works through sensor and beams
  • The step-by-step process of alert detection, evaluation, and response
  • Some of the advantages of monitoring over older security methods
  • Understand how security teams verify and respond threats
  • The importance of documentation and incident
  • How these solutions offer total protection with minimal ongoing costs

As a result, it’s important to cover this too.

What is remote alarm monitoring and how does it work?

To get started, here’s a quick overview list of bullet points covering how these systems work.

We provide more detail later in this article, alongside the benefits and key components of a well-designed intruder alarm monitoring system.   

Alarm monitoring is an advanced security solution, that replaces the need to employ security guards. As many companies weigh up the benefits of alarm and CCTV monitoring vs employing security guards, the advantages of monitored solutions are becoming more and more obvious.

Here’s a bit about how they work:

  • Nonstop 24/7 detection
  • An alert is triggered
  • Evaluation & verification
  • Confirmation & response
  • Incident reporting

This overview provides a quick look at how alarm monitoring works; we’ll dive into more detail in the following sections.

Key components of alarm monitoring systems

A remotely monitored alarm system consists of several key components that work together to provide comprehensive security:

Motion sensors and alarms

Motion sensors and detectors detect any movement within the monitored area. When they sense unauthorised activity, they trigger alarms and notify the monitoring centre.

These sensors can be placed around the perimeter, entry points, or any vulnerable areas.

Furthermore, infra-red beams are key parts of a well-designed monitored alarm system.

Then of course, there are the alarms, themselves.

System design, and deploying quality equipment is the backbone of these systems.

Alarm monitoring station

A monitoring station is where all the data from the sensors is sent, and your systems are managed. Here, trained security professionals review the alerts in real-time.

When integrated with CCTV monitoring systems, footage  can be used for the purposes of visual verification. This helps to reduce false alarms.

Their job is to assess the situation and determine the appropriate response.

IT systems and connectivity

Fast connectivity is crucial for relaying alerts from the monitored site to the monitoring centre.

These systems use secure, reliable networks to ensure that alerts are transmitted instantly, allowing for quick responses.

Where critical security incidents need to be dealt with fast, poor internet speeds and lag will only impact site security.

Surveillance cameras (for CCTV monitoring)

Specialist CCTV cameras are the backbone of many remote monitoring systems.

These cameras are strategically placed around the property to capture high-definition footage. Many cameras also feature night vision, ensuring clear images even in low-light conditions.

Also, specialist thermal CCTV cameras are highly recommended for their easy integration with video analytics, enhancing precise threat detection.

How does intruder alarm monitoring work – further detail

Remote monitoring follows a systematic process to ensure effective security.

If you’re still asking yourself  ‘How do remotely monitored alarms work?’ here’s more detail:

1. Intruder detection

This is the backbone of these systems:

  • Beams and sensors continuously monitor the property
  • Typically beams and sensors are deployed at around site perimeters
  • Sensors are usually installed around doors and windows
  • When they detect potential threats, they immediately trigger an alert

Related reading:

2. Alerts are received

Now let’s see what happens when alerts are triggered:

  • Once an alert is triggered, it is sent to the offsite monitoring centre
  • Alerts can include real-time footage (from cameras) or data from the sensors
  • This gives the monitoring team with the necessary information to assess the situation
  • Alerts are received and dealt with in real time

3. Evaluation

Once an alert is triggered:

  • The security monitoring team evaluates the alert to determine the severity of the threat
  • They check the footage, analyse the data, and decide whether it’s a genuine threat
  • This can include verifying the threat visually (when integrated with cameras)
  • Or by only verifying a threat when a second sensor is triggered
  • If a false alarm is triggered, it is dismissed, noted and reported to the customer

4. Incident response

So, a sensor is triggered, an alerts is received and there is an intruder on site.

Here’s what happens next:

  • If the threat is real, the monitoring team takes immediate action
  • This could involve contacting local authorities or dispatching on-site security
  • Where cameras are also used audio challenge stops the intruder in their tracks

5. Reporting and documentation

The final stage is reporting incidents and false alarms:

  • Every incident is logged and documented for future reference
  • This reporting helps analyse security trends and improves system effectiveness
  • It’s also important as it can build up a picture of certain threats is a pattern is forming
  • False alarms are reported too, to highlight issues with the system

So, there’s an overview of how alarm monitoring works, now let’s have a look at the advantages these systems offer businesses

Advantages of alarm monitoring services

Remote monitoring offers several key advantages. These include:

  • 24/7 protection
  • Cost Efficiency
  • Scalability
  • 24/7 protection
  • Real-time response

Remote monitoring provides continuous security, even when no one is on-site.

This round-the-clock protection ensures that your property is always secure.

If you don’t require a 24/7 solution remotely monitored security alarm solutions can be designed to deployed outside of business hours.

Reduce security costs

Compared to traditional security methods, remote monitoring is often more cost-effective.

Once installed, the system requires minimal ongoing costs, as it reduces the need for physical security personnel.

Related reading: CCTV monitoring vs security guards          

Scalability

Remote intruder monitoring systems are highly flexible and can be tailored to suit the specific needs of different properties.

Whether you need to monitor a small office or a large industrial site, these systems can be easily scaled up or down.

Real-time response

One of the biggest advantages of remote monitoring is its ability to respond to threats in real-time.

The monitoring team can assess situations quickly and take immediate action to prevent or minimise damage.

Final thoughts on remotely monitored alarm systems

Remote monitoring is a powerful security solution that combines advanced technology with professional oversight.

The overall aim is to reduce security costs whilst protecting sites and premises 24/7.

By understanding how remote alarm monitoring works, you can appreciate its effectiveness in maintaining security around the clock.

Whether you’re protecting a commercial property, industrial site, or residential home, remote monitoring offers a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution.

For those looking to enhance their security measures, investing in a remote monitoring system is a smart choice.

Consider consulting with a security specialist to design a system tailored to your specific needs and ensure your property remains secure at all times.

Factors to consider

Thinking about a monitored alarm systems for your business?

Here are a few things to think about:

  • The potential to save money vs employing guards
  • The impact of crime if you don’t have an out of hours security solution in place
  • Quality and strategic placement of motion sensors and surveillance cameras
  • Reliability of your current network connectivity for real-time alert transmission
  • Cost-effectiveness compared to traditional security personnel
  • Specific security challenges unique to your property or business type