Ever wondered if you can monitor your own security system? It’s often stated that a monitored security system is more beneficial, in terms of increased safety and security of a site, as well as having the ability to reduce false alarms and improve efficiencies. However, is it necessary to get a professional monitoring contract in place? We’ve got the most honest answer.
Can you monitor your own security system?
The honest answer is yes! You can monitor your own security system. The capabilities are there but it doesn’t necessarily mean it is the most effective or reliable security measure.
A self-monitoring security system will most likely send the designated key-holder notifications via a smart device if any security alarms, CCTV cameras or sensors are triggered. From there, it is then up to the key-holder to sort out the implied intrusion or potential false alarm. This could involve calling the emergency services, turning off the triggered alarm or actioning other security system features, such as access control.
Although this is all possible, it is heavily reliant on the key-holder in a time-sensitive and stressful situation. A security breach could occur at any time and therefore the key-holder needs to be available and able to respond immediately. With most business site intrusions occurring out of hours, a key-holder could be receiving a security breach notification in the middle of the night.
Can a keyholder respond quickly and to the best of their ability at this time?
Most likely, the answer is no. That’s why although you can monitor your own security system, it is advised to have your system professionally monitored for the most reliable security solution. When your system is professionally monitored, a team of specifically trained monitoring operatives will constantly monitor the system 24/7 and have the capabilities to respond immediately to any triggers. They can identify false alarms and action an emergency response in a matter of minutes, no matter the time of day, meaning you have the best chance of catching or stopping a criminal in their tracks and reducing any loss or damage to your site.
What is the impact of a delayed response?
The potential impact of a delayed response should not be underestimated, especially considering the evolving threat landscape for UK businesses. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the robbery of business property saw a significant increase of 55% in the year ending June 2025, underscoring the vital need for a robust and immediate security monitoring solution.
Relying solely on a single key-holder, particularly one who may be functioning as a lone worker during an out-of-hours response, presents both a security vulnerability and a serious health and safety risk. This self-monitoring model can often impede overall operational efficiency, a concern detailed further in our article on how 24/7 monitoring improves efficiency in facility management.
The impact of false alarms
Furthermore, the sheer volume of false alarms can quickly lead to police being downgraded or a response being withdrawn entirely. Crucially, statistics show that professionally monitored alarms lead to a significantly higher rate of police attendance compared to unmonitored alarms, with one major study indicating a near-99% attendance rate for verified, professional alarm signals.
This high attendance rate is achieved because professional Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) verify the alarm signal before contacting the police, often using advanced video analytics or sequence confirmation, thereby confirming a genuine event. This process is essential not only for intruder alarms but also for safety-critical systems like fire alarm monitoring, where a swift, verified response is paramount for life safety and compliance.
Professional Security Monitoring & Innovation
Modern professional monitoring is also increasingly leveraging technology to filter out false positives. Techniques like video verification and the integration of AI, as discussed in our piece on how AI is reducing false alarms and operator fatigue in ARCs, mean that only genuine threats are escalated to the relevant emergency service or key-holder, ensuring resources are used effectively. This intelligent approach, coupled with robust cybersecurity in alarm and CCTV monitoring, provides a layer of resilience that self-monitoring simply cannot match.
For operational tasks, professional monitoring extends beyond emergencies; services like remote arm and disarm allow sites to be managed efficiently from a distance, while solutions such as virtual concierge services offer a reliable, round-the-clock presence for access control and visitor management, especially beneficial in sectors like student accommodation or commercial offices.
Benefits of Professionally Monitoring a Security System
The decision to choose professional monitoring also has financial benefits. Businesses often find that insurers require a monitored system to honour certain coverage conditions, and having professional verification can significantly smooth the claims process, thereby reducing risk exposure. Understanding your policy is key, which is why we explored how remote monitoring impacts insurance premiums in a recent blog. Moreover, for sectors like hospitality, the integration of monitored services offers tangible benefits, which we highlighted in our guide to the benefits of remote alarm monitoring in hotels, ensuring guest safety and rapid management of incidents without disrupting operations.
When a site is professionally monitored, it also takes the responsibility off of the key-holder and gives the business peace of mind that no matter what, the security system is being monitored and will be responded to by highly trained individuals.
Interested in a monitored security system?
RMS can provide professional security system monitoring across all industries. Our ARC is NSI Gold accredited and our monitoring operatives are trained to the highest industry standards to provide world-class customer service to our clients.
Get in touch today online or call us on 0330 002 1149 for a FREE quote.
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