When organizations weigh their options for active security, they often take an “either/or” approach:
“Either I hire security guards, or I hire a remote video monitoring service.”
Using Security Guards Alone
Both approaches to security have their strengths and weaknesses. Security guards, obviously, provide an on-site presence that can be the strongest deterrent to would-be criminals while also providing the fastest response to crimes in progress.
But, security guards come with human frailties – they get sick, become distracted, take days off, and so on.
And, they can only see as far as their line of sight. So, unless a team of guards is stationed throughout the property (which is often cost prohibitive), there will always be blind spots around corners and behind obstructions.
And, that’s where modern digital video cameras and video monitoring services shine. Digital video cameras do not have human limitations – they never take a day off and can be deployed virtually anywhere to provide constant 360-degree surveillance of properties.
When equipped with modern artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies, they can detect and verify intruders before a human ever enters the equation. And, when paired with a remote video monitoring service, trained security pros in an operations center can sound alarms and turn on lights to deter crime. As an added plus, they are also less expensive than guards.
If only there were a way to effectively combine the strengths of live guards with the strength of remote video monitoring services! Oh, wait a minute…there is: Adopt a hybrid approach to security.
The Hybrid Security Model
With a hybrid model, video cameras help guards expand their field of vision and awareness of security events, so they can do what they do best: provide an immediate physical presence to deter crime. Guards can use video surveillance to detect potential intruders on the premises, either through manual video monitoring or through a remote video monitoring service that alerts them to events happening on the premises in real time. This becomes a force multiplier, because a single guard can gain visibility that once was only possible with a team of guards.
Remote video monitoring services further complement live guards by providing uninterrupted surveillance and proactive deterrence when guards are not on site. By taking this approach, businesses can gain total security coverage with “guard-caliber” deterrence at a more affordable price (when compared to an “all guard” strategy).
This also provides business owners with the flexibility to develop the optimal security strategy – for example, they might want guards on site during business hours, but use video monitoring services after hours, or vice versa.
So, the next time you think about the tradeoffs of guards vs. remote video monitoring services, take a look at a third option: guards AND remote video monitoring services. It just might be the best of both worlds. We would love to chat with you about the best security plan for your business.
