Remote security monitoring is the technology to view live or recorded video footage of security cameras from any computer, tablet, or smartphone connected to them over the internet. This gives business owners, managers, and property owners the flexibility to monitor their location in real-time from anywhere, rather than from just the monitors that their system is wired to.
Having a way to monitor your business remotely, even when you’re away, offers greater peace of mind, but this service comes at a premium from some security camera providers. While some will provide this service for free, others may charge a flat rate or cost per camera.
The question is, does your company need remote security monitoring? Here are some ways your business can enjoy the benefits of adding a remote security monitoring system.
24/7 SECURITY PROTECTION WITH ALERTS
For a surveillance system to provide comprehensive security, it needs to operate 24/7. But you can’t always be watching the cameras. And paying staff to watch them constantly is out of the question for most small business owners. Luckily, many modern camera systems can be accessed and controlled through mobile apps.
Picture this: You’re a small business owner and your location is closed for the day. Then you get a push notification on your phone saying that activity has been detected on one of your interior cameras. Right away, you open the app and access a live feed of the camera that detected the activity.
BOOST EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY
A study on the impact of video monitoring on company-wide employee behavior at almost 400 restaurants revealed a decrease in internal theft and an increase in productivity and sales at locations where security cameras were in use. The outcome of monitoring employees depends on many factors, including whether the cameras are hidden or exposed.
In a world where workplace dynamics are rapidly changing, more business owners are installing security cameras to monitor employees and solve productivity challenges. For instance, you can monitor video records to see how much time employees waste and come up with better work scheduling strategies to improve productivity.
As a leader and manager of people, it may be most effective to use remote monitoring as an opportunity to spot and reward good work. This helps to frame the mindset of your employees regarding the surveillance system and can benefit morale. Video surveillance analysis can also help identify what employees are doing right and help you use that as a feedback or training tool.
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM LIABILITY
Another huge benefit that most businesses may not consider with remote video surveillance is the protection it offers you, your business, and all employees in terms of liability. In fact, some of these instances often boil down to simple scenarios of she-said-he-said or issues related to your BYOD policies, which could lead to unprecedented problems without a way to resolve them.
Having video footage to back up any of your observations or to provide needed evidence can be invaluable. Liability is one of the biggest risks to small businesses. A customer can have an accident and get injured on your property and sue you for damages, or an employee can file a discrimination or harassment suit against you or another employee.
A surveillance system in place to capture incidents at your location can help prove that there was no negligence on your part, or by your employees. And having the footage available to review at your fingertips can help you swiftly resolve claims and issues.
REDUCE FALSE ALARMS
Another key benefit of a remote video surveillance system is that it provides visual information to you regarding any activation of an alert or alarm in your business property. The latest security cameras come with motion detection features that allow you to get automatic alerts on the phone or email when something unusual happens in specific areas you’re monitoring.
The ability to view live footage of your premises and specific areas reduces the risk of false alarms or alerts and also aids in determining the most appropriate action or response to take in case of an incident. Alarms, sirens, and audio alerts from two-way audio security cameras can be a good deterrent in most cases, but having visual confirmation of what is happening on the ground ensures proper response activation.
Keep in mind that a remote security camera system alone will not be a foolproof way of protecting your business. Installing more secure concealed hinges for your flush doors, window bars, tempered glass, and window sensors is still of significant benefit. You should also invest in quality door locks, reinforce your entry and back doors, and remove any valuables that are visible through windows.
Ensure there’s proper lighting throughout your business premises and install cameras at strategic points to cover wider areas. These include entry points such as the guard booth or property security station, front desk areas, customer waiting areas, parking lots, back doors, storerooms, loading docks, and warehouses, among others.
CUT INSURANCE COSTS
Investing in a comprehensive security system with remote viewing can help your insurance premiums go down. While this varies depending on your insurance provider, taking serious steps to create a heightened level of property-wide security can help you convince your provider to reduce insurance premiums. Check with your insurance provider on what is available.
Remote surveillance monitoring may help you in case something happens at your business. With a security system in place and access to recorded footage, you can prove that you’ve taken the right steps towards improving security at your property and provide proof if needed.
INSTALLING SYSTEMS FOR REMOTE VIEWING
The majority of surveillance systems that support remote monitoring are Internet Protocol (IP) systems. These operate over CAT5 Ethernet cables. There are also systems available with this feature that operate over Coaxial cable when using the right digital video recorder.
IP systems use power over ethernet technology to deliver video footage and power over the same CAT5 cable, making these systems much easier to install. By choosing DIY installation, you can even save hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Video surveillance laws
As more businesses increasingly use remote video surveillance to track employee productivity, prevent inventory theft, and monitor interactions between customers and workers, there are growing concerns about privacy issues. So, as you install security cameras throughout your business premises, make sure you’re aware of these video surveillance laws.
MAKING THE DECISION
If you’re still wondering if your company needs remote security monitoring, you’ll want to consider the many benefits we’ve discussed above. While there are many decisions to make to protect your business or property, investing in a complete remote video surveillance system is one of the best ways you can ensure peace of mind.
