CCTV monitoring can be an integral part of a company’s security strategy and ensuring the safety and security of a site. But why exactly is CCTV monitoring so important and what are the benefits? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about monitoring a CCTV system.
CCTV Monitoring Explained
CCTV monitoring is the professional monitoring of a site’s CCTV system. A third-party monitoring specialist team will access the client’s CCTV system and provide constant 24/7 monitoring, taking the responsibility off of any other party or individual. The monitoring team will be identifying any activity triggers on the CCTV cameras and will provide an instant response. They will firstly confirm whether the activation is a false alarm or not, something that is relatively quick and easy to do with CCTV systems, due to looking at the live footage and seeing if it’s an intruder or perhaps an animal that has accidentally set off the CCTV alarm.
If it does seem to be criminal activity then the monitoring team will use their expert skills to quickly respond with the most appropriate action for the situation. This can include an audio challenge to the criminal, a call to the chosen keyholder or a police response.
At RMS, the monitoring team are also able to monitor CCTV systems for any faults and can fix them remotely whenever possible. This ensures the cameras are constantly working and have not been tampered with or vandalised.
The Critical Role of Remote CCTV Monitoring in Modern Security
The transition from traditional, unmonitored surveillance to professional remote CCTV monitoring marks a significant shift in effective security management. This proactive approach ensures that your security cameras are not just recording evidence, but are actively deterring crime in real-time. For businesses operating across diverse sectors, from manufacturing and waste recycling to retail and showrooms, having an accredited third-party Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) handle your visual security provides an immediate and verified response.
A major benefit that cannot be overstated is the ability to visually verify an alarm. This capability is paramount, especially when considering the significant impact of false alarms. Without visual confirmation, law enforcement often faces delays in dispatching a response, whereas verified alarms from an NSI Gold approved ARC are given priority. Furthermore, the integration of modern technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and video analytics, is continually enhancing the speed and accuracy of this verification process, as discussed in our detailed post on how AI is reducing false alarms and operator fatigue in ARCs.
Beyond traditional security threats, remote monitoring is now a cornerstone of comprehensive site management. At RMS, our capabilities extend to advanced features like remote arm and disarm services and remote site access control, ensuring only authorised personnel gain entry at critical times. This multi-layered approach to security and site logistics is increasingly vital for maintaining operational continuity and compliance. Our commitment to high standards is evident in our rigorous backup protocols, ensuring reliable monitoring even in the event of power or communication failures. By choosing a professional monitoring partner, you gain a vital, redundant system that operates seamlessly, 24/7, without requiring your attention.
Who Monitors the CCTV System?
When a CCTV system is professionally monitored, a team of expert monitoring operatives will monitor the system. At RMS, they are highly trained and have a wealth of experience in system monitoring across multiple industries and system types. They have the skills to be able to respond fast and can quickly and calmly provide the best response to each situation.
World-class customer service is also something we pride ourselves on, meaning each operative is trained to a high standard to provide a friendly, helpful and calming response to clients who are usually experiencing high levels of stress during an incident.
The Distinction Between Professional and Self-Monitoring
It is important to highlight the distinction between professional monitoring and self-monitoring. While DIY security systems may offer lower upfront costs, the true value of a professional service, particularly from an accredited ARC like RMS, lies in the guaranteed, immediate, and expert response. Self-monitoring requires a business owner or employee to be constantly vigilant, a significant logistical and safety burden. In contrast, professional monitoring ensures that every alert is handled by a trained operative, eliminating the risk of a missed alert due to a busy schedule or unavailability. Our comparison of security systems vs. self-monitoring for small businesses provides a detailed cost-risk analysis that underscores this difference.
Furthermore, the scope of professional monitoring extends beyond mere security. We provide services that support overall non-security monitoring, including environmental and operational alerts. This proactive monitoring of critical infrastructure—such as fridge and freezer temperatures in the food and care sectors—helps prevent costly asset damage and product loss. This holistic approach is increasingly necessary in the age of smart buildings, as detailed in our guide on monitoring in the age of smart buildings.
Why is it Beneficial for the End User?
CCTV monitoring can provide multiple benefits for the end-user that overall can improve the efficiency, productivity and safety of the site.
Improved Site Protection
CCTV monitoring provides enhanced protection of a site from intruders, vandalism, arson and other crimes 24/7, 365 days a year. The latest data from the Commercial Victimisation Survey by the UK Government’s Office for National Statistics shows that premises in the wholesale and retail sector have a significantly higher prevalence of victimisation, with 41% experiencing some form of crime, including customer theft (26%) and burglary (8%), highlighting the escalating risks faced by businesses.
Improved Employee Safety
Responsibility for monitoring and actioning a response sits with the monitoring team, meaning employees won’t need to put themselves in danger to deal with the issue. This is especially relevant for businesses employing lone workers or for security teams on night patrol, whose safety is significantly enhanced by remote visual support and assistance during any confrontation.
Rapid Responses
The monitoring team is highly trained to deal with situations fast. Combined with our monitoring technology, they are able to respond to events much faster than employees or an in-house team. The ability to visually confirm an incident via CCTV allows the ARC to initiate an immediate and appropriate response, bypassing the time delay often associated with unverified alarms.
Reduce Business Disruption
By detecting and acting on a crime early, the monitoring team can significantly reduce the potential disruption to the end-user’s site, leading them to experience improved efficiencies and productivity. This swift action helps prevent the kind of catastrophic consequences seen when incidents are unchecked: it is estimated that following a serious fire, 25% of businesses never re-open, according to figures released by the Fire Industry Association. This shows how crucial professional fire alarm monitoring is alongside security monitoring.
Reduce False Alarms
By confirming if CCTV alarm triggers are true or false before initiating a response, the number of false alarms can be reduced dramatically. Not only does this benefit the end-user with less business and system downtime, but it also prevents wasting the time of the emergency services. This verification capability is a cornerstone of professional service, ensuring that police and other emergency services are only dispatched to genuine incidents, which can be critical for maintaining police priority response status.
Peace of Mind
Professional monitoring can give confidence to the end-user that their site is being monitored for any suspicious activity at all times of day, especially out-of-hours and during the night. For a deeper understanding of the comprehensive care we offer, you can read more about who we are and the values that drive our 24/7 service.
No Physical Security Team Needed
The remote monitoring team are able to replace a physical security team, due to using the CCTV cameras as their eyes and ears to the site. This is not only more efficient but it can also reduce overall costs. This cost saving is significant; in many cases, remote monitoring can offer up to an 88% reduction in security spend compared to traditional manned guarding, as reported by industry analysis.
Full Reporting
A monitoring team is able to provide bespoke and comprehensive reporting to the end-user, to provide them with full incident reports on all activations, helping them to fully understand all aspects of their site security. Understanding this data is vital for continuous security improvement and for supporting compliance and risk assessments, as highlighted in our guide on how monitoring services support your health & safety risk assessments.
Reduce Insurance Premiums
By improving site security, risk considered by an insurance company could be lowered. This means that the end-user could save money on their insurance. Working with an NSI Gold approved ARC, like RMS, demonstrates a commitment to high-standard security that insurers recognise and often reward with lower premiums, a topic we explore further in our article on how remote monitoring impacts insurance premiums.
CCTV monitoring can therefore be an important part of a site’s security and can have a drastic impact on the way they operate day-to-day, but especially if an incident were to occur. CCTV monitoring can therefore act as a great preventative to crime, due to the ability to catch it early and respond quickly, minimalising potential damage and loss to the end-user.
Interested in professional CCTV monitoring? Get in touch with us online or on 0330 002 1149 today for a FREE quote.
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