Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems have become an essential part of business security and protecting assets, property and people. Having a monitored CCTV system goes one step further, further enhancing the capabilities of video surveillance. However, the question arises: Can anyone monitor CCTV systems? In this article, we will unravel the myths and realities surrounding the monitoring CCTV systems.
- Why Monitor CCTV Systems?
- Who Can Monitor CCTV Systems?
- Remote Monitoring for CCTV Systems
- CCTV Monitoring with RMS
Why Monitor CCTV Systems?
Many businesses choose to monitor their CCTV systems to maximise its capabilities, and many have seen a revolutionary change in the way they interact with their CCTV after doing so. By monitoring live footage for event triggers, such as intruders or other suspicious activity, businesses can be rest assured that no incident will go unnoticed, resulting in a swift response such as a police call out. This extra layer of protection can provide a sense of empowerment to businesses and is considered a worthwhile investment.
The escalating threat environment makes professional monitoring a necessity, not a luxury. The Office for National Statistics reported a significant rise in business property crime, with shoplifting offences reaching their highest level since comparable records began in 2003, underscoring the vital need for a proactive security stance. For businesses to secure a swift police response, their alarm system must meet strict criteria, often requiring verified intrusion confirmation. The Metropolitan Police, for example, notes that a substantial 92% of UK alarm activations are false alarms, leading forces to prioritise systems connected to professional Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) that use verification technology.
This means that a crucial benefit of professional CCTV monitoring is the ability to confirm a genuine intrusion instantly, allowing for rapid deployment and often deterring criminals before significant damage is done, a feature which is critical for intruder monitoring. This efficient process ensures resources are only deployed when genuinely needed, significantly improving the efficacy of your security investment.
Who Can Monitor CCTV Systems?
Technically, anyone can monitor a CCTV system. However, there are certain solutions that are favoured over others to ensure a high level of security and protection is met.
In-House Authorised Personnel
Some businesses may wish to monitor their own systems in-house. If so, this is usually done by authorised personnel such as security professionals, and managers of designated staff. A company can finely tune user permissions to ensure only a select number of authorised individuals can monitor the CCTV system, which helps to enhance site security without compromising sensitive information.
However, those not professionally trained in remote monitoring and responses may not perform as well as those who are, especially when in a highly stressful situation, such as a site break-in. Self-monitoring also presents challenges around consistency and resource allocation. For example, maintaining a dedicated, round-the-clock team to monitor a site’s video feeds can be prohibitively expensive for many operations, leading to critical gaps in coverage, particularly during out-of-hours periods.
Furthermore, without the specialised tools and training, in-house staff may suffer from operator fatigue, reducing their effectiveness at spotting subtle threat indicators, as detailed in our analysis of security systems vs self-monitoring. This is a major factor when assessing the overall cost and risk of securing your property, be it a stand-alone shop or a large multi-tenant office building.
Third-Party Remote Monitoring
A professional remote monitoring company can provide exceptional 24/7 monitoring of a site’s CCTV system, alongside rapid responses to any incidents. A remote monitoring provider will be connected to an alarm receiving centre (ARC), whereby they will be able to receive live updates of any incidents and provide tailored services and solutions to meet the needs of each site. These services could include 24/7 surveillance, real-time alerts, and the option for on-demand access to camera feeds. There will be a team of dedicated monitoring operatives, all of whom will have gone through extensive training in how to identify and respond to certain events, ensuring clients receive a seamless and secure experience, backed by industry-best practices.
A professional ARC is built for resilience and speed. Modern ARCs leverage platforms like ECHO, which enables the automated delivery of alarm signals directly to police control rooms, drastically reducing response times for verified incidents. This efficiency is paramount, ensuring that when an alarm for an event like an attempted break-in is received, a highly trained operator can use the live video feed for CCTV monitoring to verify the threat, issue an audio challenge, and coordinate with emergency services or keyholders without delay. These monitoring centres also provide versatile services like remote site access control, allowing operators to grant or deny entry to verified personnel, which is especially useful for businesses operating outside of standard working hours. This 24/7 oversight is a core element of improving efficiency in facility management and ensuring continuous site security.
Remote Monitoring for CCTV Systems
When it comes to the remote monitoring of CCTV systems, there are many aspects that make remote monitoring companies the right ones for the job.
Security Protocols & Encryption
Maintaining the integrity of CCTV systems is paramount so remote monitoring businesses employ robust security protocols, including encryption and secure authentication methods, to safeguard against unauthorised access. By staying ahead of potential cyber threats, these businesses ensure the confidentiality and privacy of the monitored spaces, something which other monitoring solutions may not be able to do.
Beyond general security, a professional service is vital for legal compliance. As CCTV footage captures personal data, its handling is strictly governed by the UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) requires businesses to ensure that footage is stored securely, access is tightly controlled, and clear retention policies are in place to prevent severe financial penalties for non-compliance. Reputable remote monitoring providers integrate advanced security and cybersecurity measures into their protocols, ensuring that the entire monitoring process, from camera to ARC, adheres to the highest legal and ethical standards.
Compliance with Regulations
The remote monitoring industry operates within a framework of legal and regulatory guidelines. Understanding and adhering to these regulations is crucial for remote monitoring businesses as compliance ensures that monitoring practices are ethical, respectful of privacy rights, and aligned with the law. By using a remote monitoring company, a business can guarantee that its CCTV monitoring is being carried out in accordance with the latest standards and legal requirements. Achieving and maintaining NSI Gold status, the highest certification in the UK security industry, requires adherence to stringent standards like BS EN 50518 for Alarm Receiving Centres, guaranteeing operational resilience, secure communications, and robust power backups.
This independent assurance of quality ensures that a business’s entire security infrastructure, including features like remote arm/disarm functionality, is managed by a provider committed to technical excellence and continuous improvement.
Technological Advancements
As technology advances, so does the landscape of remote monitoring. Innovations such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are being integrated into remote monitoring centres to enhance their monitoring capabilities. These advancements not only improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of a remote monitoring company, but are something which an in-house team may not have access to.
The integration of advanced technology is rapidly changing the monitoring landscape. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms are increasingly used to perform video analytics, distinguishing between genuine security threats and benign events—such as wildlife or weather—dramatically reducing false alarms and improving operator focus. Furthermore, remote monitoring has expanded beyond traditional security, now encompassing non-security monitoring tasks like tracking temperature in cold storage (as in fridge/freezer monitoring) or managing building environments, making it an essential component of modern facility management and overall risk mitigation.
CCTV Monitoring with RMS
In short, CCTV monitoring can be carried out by anyone, but in particular an in-house authorised team or outsourced to a dedicated remote monitoring company. At RMS, we specialise in CCTV monitoring and have a category 2 ARC and are NSI-gold approved, meaning we work to the highest industry standards. Our team of hand-picked operatives are the best in their sector and are highly experienced in CCTV monitoring.
Focus your assets elsewhere as we take care of your remote monitoring needs, providing the professional, accredited service your business deserves.
Simply get in touch for a free quote.
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