Business security systems are continuing to grow in importance, and whilst cyber security is at the top of the priority list for many businesses, having sufficient physical security monitoring such as CCTV and fire alarm systems is often not prioritised. In addition, existing systems are often left unmonitored, which raises the risk of successful intrusions and incurs increased costs given the dependency on employee presence for any out-of-hours alarm activation.
If integrating your alarm systems with remote monitoring is something you have yet to consider, keep on reading. In this blog post, we will go into all of the benefits associated with this integrated approach, looking at the setup, costs and all the elements needed for remote monitoring.
- What is Remote Monitoring?
- Why Integrate Alarm Systems with Remote Monitoring?
- What Type of Alarm Systems Can Be Integrated?
- 5 Benefits of Integrating Alarm Systems with Remote Monitoring
- How to Set Up Remote Monitoring
- Who Can Carry Out Remote Alarm System Monitoring?
- How Much Does Remote Monitoring Cost?
- Integrating Alarm Systems with Remote Monitoring with RMS
What is Remote Monitoring?
Remote monitoring is a service, usually outsourced to a third party, that allows security systems to be managed and monitored remotely. In other words, the security of your premises is taken care of without the need for in-person security personnel who would otherwise have to respond to these out-of-hours alarms.
Remote monitoring is carried out from highly secure offsite premises paired with an alarm receiving centre (ARC) and a team of monitoring operatives who carry out 24/7 monitoring of a site’s systems. This remote monitoring can take charge of remote arming and disarming of security alarms, has the capability of remote site access as well as being able to dispatch remote patrol groups to respond to suspicious behaviour, visitors or incidents.
This system is designed not just for large commercial environments but is also highly beneficial across diverse sectors, including logistics, retail, and manufacturing. The efficiency of a dedicated Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) means alarms are filtered and verified rapidly. For instance, advanced video analytics, often integrated into modern remote monitoring systems, can drastically reduce the occurrence of false alarms, which is a major pain point for businesses that rely solely on unmonitored systems. This level of immediate, expert response ensures police are only dispatched to genuine incidents, saving valuable time and resources for both the business and emergency services. Remote monitoring also extends beyond security; it is increasingly used for non-security monitoring applications, such as temperature, water levels, and machinery performance, proving its versatility as a key component of modern facility management, especially within the rapidly evolving landscape of smart buildings.
Why Integrate Alarm Systems with Remote Monitoring?
Integrating alarm systems with remote monitoring may seem like an unnecessary addition to existing security systems. However, businesses and sites can benefit hugely from integrating alarm systems with remote monitoring. This integration not only benefits the sites’ security as a whole given overall improved protection, but also offers a cost-effective approach to monitoring whilst being assured that the security of your premises is being taken care of by a team of trusted and highly trained individuals.
What Type of Alarm Systems Can Be Integrated?
Alarm system integration can be effective for several different alarm systems. The following alarm systems can be integrated:
- CCTV: Integrating CCTV with remote monitoring means that in the case of intruder alerts, there is no chance of them going undetected. Modern video surveillance technology leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse video feeds in real-time, distinguishing between genuine threats and benign events like moving shadows or animals.
- Fire Alarm: Integrating fire alarm systems ensures that sites receive constant protection, providing customers and yourself peace of mind. Given that the UK Fire & Rescue Service attended over 13,000 non-residential fires in the last year, according to the UK Government’s official statistics, reliable, monitored fire detection is a crucial compliance and safety measure.
- Intruder Alarms: Integrating intruder alarms with remote security monitoring is the best way to make certain that your business is not at risk of theft of valuables, or your site being damaged by intruders.
- Environmental Systems: Beyond traditional security, integrating fridge freezer monitoring or flood/water sensors is essential for safeguarding sensitive assets and operations, particularly in sectors like hospitality and data centres.
- Lone Worker Systems: For businesses with employees working outside normal hours or in isolated locations, integrating lone worker monitoring provides a vital safety net, ensuring immediate response to panic alarms or man-down situations.
5 Benefits of Integrating Alarm Systems with Remote Monitoring
1. 24/7 Surveillance
Integrating alarm systems with remote monitoring means businesses can benefit from 24/7 surveillance. This means that at no point a premise is left unmonitored or unprotected. Whilst security staff are useful, they can’t account for entire premise monitoring and further, are an added cost. Integrating security systems with remote monitoring removes the need for in-person monitoring as these systems operate remotely 24/7 meaning your site is covered in and out of operating hours. In fact, these monitored systems such as CCTV have been found to significantly reduce crime by providing verified, real-time alerts, moving far beyond the older figure of a 15% reduction found in earlier studies. The modern approach focuses on verification, which is critical to maximising police response; without verification, police may downgrade or ignore unverified alarms.
2. Cost Effective
A 24/7 surveillance system can seem, at first, like a substantial extra cost for businesses especially those that would rather invest in other areas. However, in reality, integrating alarm systems with remote monitoring can often mean insurance premiums are reduced, saving businesses money in the long run. In addition to potential savings on insurance premiums, remote monitoring is drastically more efficient than dedicated manned guarding. The cost of one on-site security guard for a single 12-hour shift often exceeds the monthly cost of comprehensive remote monitoring and remote patrol services, offering superior coverage across multiple sites simultaneously, leading to potential savings of up to 90% compared to traditional guards, as noted by industry cost-benefit analyses.
3. Peace of Mind
Having a remote security monitoring system in place that is in operation all day every day, is an added layer of security for sites. This high level of monitoring means you can be assured that all levels of threats are taken care of, regardless of whether it is during or out of operating hours. This is particularly valuable for businesses like offices and commercial premises that are often vacant overnight or during public holidays. The assurance of immediate, protocol-driven action by a professional ARC allows business owners and facility managers to focus on core operations without the constant worry of out-of-hours emergencies, supporting a modern, efficient approach to facility management, which is explored further in our article on improving efficiency in facility management.
4. Early Detection
A remote monitoring system means that threats such as fires or intruders that could cause potentially detrimental damage to a site, are detected as early as possible. This early detection through remote monitoring also means prevention can happen as soon as possible. Unlike unmonitored alarms, where signals may only be seen locally or by an employee who is not fully trained in emergency response, a professional ARC implements established emergency protocols immediately. This rapid response is crucial, especially in the minutes following a fire or a break-in, which directly correlates to the potential reduction of damage and loss. This is especially vital for high-risk sites like manufacturing and waste recycling facilities where a small incident can quickly escalate.
5. Expert Support
Remote monitoring is carried out by a team of highly trained individuals, meaning your sites are in the best possible care. This expertise provides you with constant support through remote monitoring. At RMS, all of our monitoring centre operatives have a wealth of security experience. They are all SIA-licensed and BS7858 vetted and we make sure everyone in the team has the best and most advanced training possible meaning your sites are in the very best hands. The rigorous standards of accreditation bodies, such as the NSI, are regularly audited, guaranteeing that the operational standards of the monitoring centre remain consistently high, as outlined by the BSI Group’s guidelines for Alarm Receiving Centres (BS EN 50518).
How to Set Up Remote Monitoring
Setting up remote monitoring requires a range of security equipment to be in place such as existing CCTV and alarm systems. Remote monitoring works by signals being sent directly to an ARC which then notified the remote monitoring centre control room. The team of monitoring experts takes care of the rest in terms of actioning a fast and appropriate response.
Before integration, a comprehensive security survey is conducted to identify the optimal placement of cameras, sensors, and communication equipment. Modern systems often use secure IP connections, but it’s vital to have reliable communication redundancy, as discussed in our detailed guide on the role of cybersecurity in monitoring. Once the physical and digital infrastructure is secure, detailed operating protocols are agreed upon with the business, outlining precisely how the ARC operatives should respond to different types of alarms (e.g., fire, intruder, environmental) and who the designated keyholders are. This bespoke approach ensures that the monitoring service aligns perfectly with your business’s specific operational needs and regulatory obligations, which is particularly relevant when setting up a proper alarm monitoring handover document.
Who Can Carry Out Remote Alarm System Monitoring?
Remote alarm monitoring can be carried out by security companies, monitoring centres or those with the suitable technology and infrastructure to carry out remote monitoring. However, at RMS, we only employ a team of highly trained individuals with extensive security experience to carry out remote alarm system monitoring.
How Much Does Remote Monitoring Cost?
The cost of remote monitoring can vary depending on several factors such as site size, the number and level of security systems, and the chosen service provider. If you are interested in getting a more accurate cost, we recommend getting in touch to get a quote.
While upfront investment includes installation and integration, the long-term operational savings are significant when comparing remote monitoring to the continuous salary, training, and overheads associated with on-site staff. A comparison study published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) highlights that integrated systems often offer a superior return on investment through loss prevention and operational efficiency. Furthermore, when considering the comprehensive nature of the service, which can include non-security functions like air conditioning monitoring, the value proposition increases substantially. Businesses seeking to understand their specific potential for savings should consider a comparative assessment, which can be found in our cost-risk comparison for small businesses.
Integrating Alarm Systems with Remote Monitoring with RMS
At RMS, we offer a 24/7 remote monitoring service for a range of alarm systems. We are an NSI-gold approved remote monitoring centre, that can provide your business with the highest level of monitoring. Our experienced team of security experts operate with the highest and latest industry standards to ensure your business receives the best service possible.
Our remote monitoring site is completely self-contained and in a highly secure facility meaning your site security is in safe hands. We prioritise our customer service and make sure that you get full reporting of any activations that occur from your systems as part of our promise to give full visibility. We believe that transparency and communication are key to building strong partnerships, which is why we offer comprehensive reporting and use industry-leading technology to deliver our services, as outlined in our commitment to security installers. By combining advanced technology with highly trained, vetted professionals, RMS delivers a proactive, reliable monitoring service. You can learn more about our operational excellence and core values on our company page. Our NSI Gold accreditation assures clients that we not only meet but often surpass the required response times for critical alarms, including fire and personal attack signals, demonstrating our commitment to rapid and effective intervention for your safety.
If you’re interested in integrating alarm systems with remote monitoring, get in touch today at 0330 002 1149 or click here for a free quote.
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