This article originally appeared in the October 2023 issue of Security Business magazine. When sharing, don’t forget to mention Security Business magazine on LinkedIn and @SecBusinessMag on Twitter.
Every day, more and more business owners are discovering the extensive benefits of remote guarding systems. Unlike traditional security systems and monitoring center methods, this innovative solution actually helps prevent property and other types of crime before it starts, as opposed to only providing footage of what happened after the fact.
By combining proven system design practices, strategically placed surveillance cameras, specially tuned military-grade analytics and artificial intelligence, high-end cybersecurity, highly trained command center agents experienced in diffusing threat or crime situations, and a trusted relationship with law enforcement, remote guarding solutions are dramatically improving security levels across multiple industries and organizations.
Remote guarding is the realization of the dream of providing true security – with monitoring center response in seconds that prevents crime, eliminates false alarms and brings priority police response when necessary. Partnering with the right provider in this area can deepen the relationship security integrators have with commercial customers, as well as create new recurring revenue (RMR) streams.
Exploring the End-User Benefits
How exactly does remote guarding work, and how can it support healthy and profitable business growth? Here are five customer benefits that integrators can pitch:
1. Lowered long-term crime rates. Over time, the installation of remote guarding systems has been shown to have a positive effect on long-term crime rates. This can be attributed to a significant increase in difficulty levels for criminals trying to bypass the security solution installed on a property. As months go by, local criminals attempt to break into the protected facility less and less. This has been proven through a sizeable sampling size of data compiled by remote guarding services provider Elite Interactive Solutions (EIS), whose security operations command center is headquartered in downtown Los Angeles.
The company’s findings have demonstrated dramatic drops in the number of voice-downs required from command center agents to ward off trespassers during extended periods, such as a 12-month timeframe.
2. Reduced liability and risk levels. Another important benefit of remote guarding systems is the reduction in risk and liability levels they bring. Today’s high-tech "digital guards" are capable of alerting human security agents of any unwanted activity on a property.
A combination of primarily fixed and PTZ cameras in and around the perimeter of the end-customer’s facility record 24/7 as well, making sure to capture any high-risk or vulnerable areas, in particular. All of this becomes very useful information when any sort of theft, accident or dispute occurs within the organization.
Normally, there is a lack of evidence when an employee, customer or visitor makes a claim and sues the organization. Having high-quality video footage can be enormously helpful in resolving these issues and avoiding fraudulent lawsuits. Insurance companies can also give discounts to organizations that install remote guarding security systems, as they know the risk levels for securing that organization go down significantly.
Businesses can save significantly on legal expenses, insurance costs and prevent significant theft by installing a remote guarding security solution on their premises.
3. Identify and protect vulnerable areas. Often, criminals are able to break into businesses because of poorly protected "weak spots" around the property. These may be places where camera coverage skips, or perhaps there is a hole in a fence, for example, that grants access to a restricted area. Professional criminals are obviously experts at exploiting these weaknesses and using them for their greatest benefit.
Remote guarding security systems work to address these concerns immediately. “One of the first steps Elite consultants take is a forensic analysis of the property to identify any vulnerable areas and options to secure those spots as effectively as possible,” explains Aria Kozak, EIS’s CEO and Founder, who has been dubbed ‘the Father of Remote Guarding.’ “In this area, remote guarding expertise comes into play and helps to engineer the perfect security blueprints for each facility.”
4. Builds relationships with law enforcement. Remote guarding solutions actually lower false alarms significantly (and potentially eliminate them entirely), helping to free up law enforcement resources for more important incidents. Additionally, remote security agents can work hand-in-hand with officers to make sure they are safe when responding to crimes at a facility. They are able to provide the criminal's location and inform the officer whether or not they have a weapon.
This valuable collaboration makes a big difference to a business' security, as officers know that a call from their property is definitely something serious and not a false alarm.
Having a great relationship with local law enforcement agencies can be incredibly beneficial to a business; thus, when choosing a remote guarding services provider, select one that places emphasis on this dynamic and that has demonstrated commitment and success in this critical area.
5. Provides peace of mind during overnight hours. Overnight security can bring a lot of stress and anxiety to business owners and managers. Their property is vulnerable to attack during the dark of night, and they may show up at work the next day to a terrible incident. False alarms during the night can also cause unwanted and unnecessary responses at times of rest.
Remote guarding security systems are adept at resolving these issues and restoring peace of mind to business owners. Monitoring command center agents remain on alert throughout the night and work with onsite "digital guards" to prevent trespassers and crimes from occurring.
Any incidents that do occur are handled thoroughly by the agents, and law enforcement if necessary. In the morning, business owners can receive a daily activity report that shows any incidents that may have occurred during the night.
