Keeping your premises secure is critical, especially for small businesses where every loss hits harder. Whether you’re a retail shop, a growing SME, or managing multiple local sites, the choice between a professionally monitored security system and a self-monitored setup can significantly impact your business success.
While self-monitoring may seem cheaper and more flexible, the true costs emerge when systems are put to the test. In this blog, we look at security systems vs self-monitoring, and explore the cost-risk comparison for small businesses, as well as why they, and their trusted installers, are choosing professional monitoring through providers like Remote Monitoring Services (RMS).
- What Is Self-Monitoring?
- What Is a Professionally Monitored Security System?
- Cost Comparison: Self-Monitoring vs Professional Monitoring
- Common Risks for Small Businesses
- Why Small Businesses Trust RMS
- When Self-Monitoring Might Work
- Which Is Right for Your Business?
- Want to Talk About Your Security Options?
What Is Self-Monitoring?
Self-monitoring allows businesses to take control of their own security systems by monitoring their security systems themselves, in-house. When an alarm, sensor, or camera is triggered, the system sends an alert to your phone or app, and it is then up to the business owner, or whoever is on call, to check the notification and decide what to do next.
This approach is commonly used by start-ups or businesses looking to keep costs low, but the reality is: self-monitoring demands attention, quick decision-making, and consistent availability around the clock.
Challenges with self-monitoring:
- Alerts may be missed during meetings, travel, or sleep
- Business owners must assess threats themselves
- False alarms can be costly and time-consuming
- No guaranteed escalation if the alert is ignored
For a business with even moderate complexity, such as multiple staff, locations, or out-of-hours operation, this approach can quickly become a liability.
What Is a Professionally Monitored Security System?
Professional security monitoring involves connecting your security system to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). If an alarm is triggered, trained operators at the ARC assess the situation in real-time and act according to a set protocol, such as contacting keyholders, alerting emergency services, or verifying CCTV footage before taking further action.
At RMS, we provide 24/7, NSI Gold-accredited remote monitoring for security systems such as intruder alarms, CCTV, fire alarm systems and access control – giving small businesses the kind of protection once reserved for major corporations.
Benefits of professional monitoring:
- Round-the-clock response – even when you’re unavailable
- Alarm verification helps avoid false callouts
- Fast, compliant escalation procedures
- Peace of mind for business owners and staff
- Enhanced insurance credibility
Cost Comparison: Self-Monitoring vs Professional Monitoring
At face value, self-monitoring appears cheaper. But small businesses need to weigh cost against risk, downtime, and long-term consequences.
Self-Monitoring:
- Lower upfront and monthly costs
- Potentially suitable for small, low-risk sites
- High risk of human error or missed alarms
- No professional verification – risk of false police callouts
- May not meet insurance requirements
Professional Monitoring:
- Ongoing monthly fee
- 24/7 monitoring from qualified security personnel
- Fast response times with lower false-alarm rates
- Improved compliance with insurers and regulators
- Supports business continuity during incidents
Summary: What you save in cost with self-monitoring, you may pay for in lost stock, property damage, or insurance issues.
Common Risks for Small Businesses
Small businesses often operate with tight staffing and slim margins, which can make them more vulnerable to the hidden costs of ineffective security. In addition, over 26% of businesses in England and Wales were the victim of some form of crime in the last year, making small businesses a key target and emphasising the need for solid security measures to be in place.
- Missed break-ins: If a business owner misses a 2am alert, a break-in might go unchecked until the next morning, when damage is already done.
- Fire or environmental damage: If a self-monitored smoke alarm goes unnoticed, the response could be too late to prevent major losses.
- Employee safety risks: In an emergency, staff may be alone or unsure what to do, increasing both physical risk and liability.
- False alarms: Without professional verification, frequent false alerts can lead to unnecessary callouts, staff fatigue and financial loss through business downtime.
Why Small Businesses Trust RMS
At RMS, we specialise in delivering flexible monitoring solutions that scale to fit the needs of small businesses, whether it’s a single retail unit or a growing estate of local premises. We’re also a trusted partner to security installers, helping them deliver reliable, post-installation monitoring that clients can depend on.
24/7 ARC Support
Our UK-based Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) never sleeps. We respond to alerts within seconds and take action so you don’t have to, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. This includes contacting keyholders, verifying events with live video, and informing emergency services if needed.
Scalable Across Sites
Whether you have one location or ten, we can remotely monitor all your systems under one account, ideal for businesses with expansion plans or multi-site coverage needs.
Fewer False Alarms
Our team verifies events before escalating, reducing false callouts and keeping costs down. We follow industry-approved protocols to protect your time, money, and reputation.
Peace of Mind
Knowing your business is being looked after, day and night, allows you to focus on what matters: running and growing your company.
When Self-Monitoring Might Work
There are a few cases where self-monitoring can be effective, such as:
- A single, owner-managed site where the business is occupied during all open hours
- A tight budget with low risk of intrusion or fire
- A business that doesn’t store valuable equipment or sensitive data
However, even in these cases, it’s worth evaluating what you’d lose if something went wrong, and whether the savings are truly worth the risk.
Which Is Right for Your Business?
For many small businesses, the idea of self-monitoring sounds appealing, but in reality, the model doesn’t scale well, and it puts too much responsibility on individuals. Professional monitoring from RMS provides real security, around the clock, backed by experts, verified responses, and a track record of protecting UK businesses.
Whether you’re choosing your first security system, scaling across new sites, or working with an installer you trust, professional monitoring ensures your business isn’t left exposed.
Want to Talk About Your Security Options?
RMS provides tailored monitoring packages designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. Whether you already have a system in place or are starting from scratch, our team can help.
Contact RMS today at 0330 002 1149 to learn more about affordable, reliable 24/7 remote monitoring, built to protect your business while you focus on running it and monitoring what matters.
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