In an increasingly connected world, ensuring the safety and security of businesses and sites has become a paramount concern. Self-monitoring security systems are popular as a cost-effective alternative to professionally monitored systems, allowing sites to keep a watch over their premises through the use of smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices. While self-monitoring security systems offer convenience and control, they are not without their risks. In this blog post, we take a look at the risks of self-monitoring security systems and how they compare to professionally monitored systems.
- What are Self-Monitoring Security Systems?
- What Are The Risks of Self-Monitoring Security Systems?
- What are Professionally Monitored Security Systems?
- Self-Monitoring vs. Professionally Monitored Security Systems
- The Benefits of Professionally Monitored Security Systems
- Professional Remote Monitoring with RMS
- Get in Touch
What are Self-Monitoring Security Systems?
Self-monitoring security systems are security systems that enable permitted individuals to monitor their property remotely using internet-connected devices. These systems often include a combination of motion sensors, cameras, door and window sensors, and other smart technologies. While this consumer-grade approach is accessible, understanding the full scope of security solutions, particularly those involving monitoring in the age of smart buildings, is crucial for comprehensive protection. Users receive real-time alerts and notifications on their smartphones or other devices when the system detects suspicious activity or breaches. This form of security monitoring allows those individuals to assess situations themselves and take action without relying on a professional monitoring centre.
What Are The Risks of Self-Monitoring Security Systems?
1. Limited Response Capability
One of the main risks with self-monitoring security systems is the limited response capability. In the event of a security breach, the individual responsible for monitoring must be available and responsive to notifications. If they are unable to react promptly due to various reasons such as being asleep, in a meeting, or their device being out of charge, the effectiveness of the self-monitoring system diminishes significantly.
Crucially, the context of UK business crime underscores the need for constant vigilance. Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that business property robberies increased by a staggering 50% year-on-year for business property. Given this escalating risk, relying solely on an individual, who may be unavailable due to being in a meeting at the office or asleep, is a gamble no modern business can afford to take. The lag between an alert and an effective response can be the difference between a foiled intrusion and a significant financial loss.
2. False Alarms & Alert Fatigue
Self-monitoring systems can result in false alarms due to external factors like wild animals and insects near sensors or technical glitches. This is an issue that 93% of businesses are facing across England. The financial burden of this is substantial, with avoidable false alarms estimated to cost UK SMEs around £696 million annually. This pervasive issue of false activations can lead to alert fatigue, where an individual can become desensitised to notifications, potentially overlooking genuine threats. This is precisely why professional centres are increasingly leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to filter noise, a key advancement explored further in our article on how AI is reducing false alarms and operator fatigue in ARCs.
3. Dependency on Internet Connectivity
Self-monitoring systems rely heavily on stable internet connectivity. Any disruptions in the internet could cause the system to become ineffective, leaving the premises vulnerable during those periods of internet downtime. Beyond simple outages, the security of the communication itself is paramount, highlighting the role of cybersecurity in alarm and CCTV monitoring. Moreover, connectivity issues can equally impact critical environmental systems, demonstrating why integrated non-security monitoring is also best managed by professionals who maintain redundant infrastructure.
What are Professionally Monitored Security Systems?
Professionally monitored security systems involve a third-party monitoring centre that oversees the security of the premises. When a security breach is detected, trained professionals at the monitoring centre assess the situation and take appropriate action, such as notifying the owner, dispatching emergency services, or contacting designated keyholders.
Self-Monitoring vs. Professionally Monitored Security Systems
The main difference between self-monitoring security systems and professionally monitored systems lies in the level of involvement and expertise required. Self-monitoring places the onus of response on the responding individual, relying on their vigilance and swift reaction to notifications of security alerts and breaches.
On the other hand, professionally monitored systems utilise a dedicated team of experts who can respond 24/7. This provides a higher level of security, faster response times and less downtime in security systems.
The Benefits of Professionally Monitored Security Systems
Swift & Trained Responses
Professionally monitored systems offer the advantage of immediate and trained responses. In case of an emergency, security personnel can assess the situation quickly and take appropriate action, which is crucial when the owner is unreachable. This involves the ability to dispatch emergency services quickly, minimising risk and damage. This includes the capability to coordinate immediate remote health and safety patrols, minimising risk and damage.
24/7 Monitoring & Response
Round-the-clock monitoring ensures that any potential threats are detected and addressed promptly. This constant surveillance offers sites peace of mind, knowing that their premises are safeguarded day and night.
Reduced False Alarms
Professional monitoring centres are equipped with advanced technology to distinguish between genuine threats and false alarms, reducing instances of alert fatigue. This is increasingly achieved through video analytics and the integration of AI in enhancing video surveillance accuracy, allowing human operators to focus on verified threats rather than environmental noise.
Insurance Benefits
Many insurance companies offer discounts on insurance premiums for properties equipped with professionally monitored security systems. In fact, some UK insurers offer discounts of up to 20% for properties with certified, professionally monitored alarm systems. This recognition of enhanced security measures, and reduced risk, can lead to cost savings in the long run, and it is worth explicitly discussing the details with your provider as covered in our guide to understanding your insurance and how remote monitoring impacts premiums.
Reduced System Downtime
Professionally monitored systems often have backup communication methods such as cellular connections or landlines, ensuring that the monitoring centre stays connected even if the internet is down. This creates reduced system downtime and therefore a lower risk of security compromisation, ensuring crucial services like virtual concierge services remain uninterrupted.
Professional Remote Monitoring with RMS
At RMS, our remote security monitoring service covers all your key security systems, as well as providing extra support for vulnerable employees and sites. We offer a huge range of security monitoring, whether that be:
- CCTV Systems
- Intruder & Fire Alarms
- Lone Worker Monitoring
- Remote Site Access, Patrols, Arm/Disarm Services
Every system we monitor is effectively monitored by our ARC, providing peace of mind and an extra layer of security to sites and employees.
We are fully NSI Gold Category 2 ARC approved, so you can be assured that your premise is being looked after by a team of highly trained individuals looking to deliver the highest quality service. The importance of this accreditation and the compliance it ensures is detailed further in our article on what NSI Gold means for your business. Each operative in our monitoring teams is carefully chosen, SIA licenced, BS7858:2012 vetted and together they hold a wealth of experience.
Get in Touch
If you are looking for an experienced remote monitoring provider to monitor your key security systems, get in touch today by calling us on 0330 002 1149 or clicking here to send us an enquiry.
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