Virtual security guards, or remote guards, are one of the newest and most effective forms of security available for your property. But misinformation about this technology may have you thinking otherwise. To help clear things up, we’re busting the top three myths around remote guarding.
But first, a quick summary on how remote guarding works.
What Is Remote Guarding?
Remote guarding pairs powerful surveillance cameras with professional guards who monitor those cameras from a central command center, off-site. Cameras are equipped with analytics that can trigger an alert anytime a person or vehicle enters your property.
When guards receive an alert, they monitor the footage in real-time and use two-way audio to talk down the person and tell them to leave. If the intruder doesn’t leave, guards contact local authorities. All of this happens in 60 seconds or less.
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Myth #1: Voices from a Speaker Don’t Stop Crime |
Think about the last time you got caught doing something you weren’t supposed to. You may have felt your heart drop clear to your knees when your name was called or someone identified you engaged in some kind of mischief. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
When property crime such as illegal dumping, trespassing, vandalism, or attempted burglary is taking place, the person engaging in that crime is often looking for a high reward with as low a risk as possible. That’s why hearing someone talk directly to them is a powerful deterrent. We have seen many examples of people arriving at a property, hearing a guard, and immediately leaving, not wanting to risk the chances of getting caught.
That’s why talk down from remote guards is so effective; because they don’t sound like prerecorded warnings. Guards specifically identify intruders by their activity and appearance including the clothes they’re wearing, and the make, model, and license plate number of the car they’re driving.
See remote guarding in action by checking out this video:
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Myth #2: Cameras Only Record During Monitoring Hours |
When you think about surveillance, you’re most likely considering the hours of business when you and your team aren’t around — usually nights and weekends. Yet, just because those are the times you’re more likely to need extra security, that doesn’t mean you’re limited to them.
Remote guarding services are paired with surveillance cameras that can be switched on at all hours. Most business owners and property managers choose to have guards active only during evening and weekend hours, when no one is present at your property. But that doesn’t mean you’re not protected when guards aren’t around.
Surveillance cameras with integrated analytics are active 24/7 at your business, so you can always find recorded footage of incidents. And, with tools like Smart Search, you don’t have to spend hours manually scanning through recordings. Instead, you can use filters and search settings to find an incident in seconds.
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Myth #3: Remote Guards Are Always Watching Me |
Who likes being watched all the time? We definitely don’t. And we know you don’t either. Fortunately, that’s not how this works.
Remote guards only monitor your camera feed when they have received an intrusion or suspicious activity alert, which provides you with two major benefits.
First, it ensures a quick and active response. Unlike traditional on-site security guards, who become bored, distracted, or fall asleep during their shift, remote guards are always engaged and only notified when something demands their attention.
Second, remote guarding is significantly more affordable than on-site security. That’s because you’re not paying for a guard to actively stare at a camera feed for an entire evening. Instead, a team of guards is poised, ready to monitor several properties at once, in a central command center.
Is Remote Guarding Right for You?
All types of businesses use remote guarding to help prevent property damage, keep tenants safe, and protect their assets.
HOAs use it to keep people out of the pool and other common areas after hours, multi-tenant properties utilize remote guarding to prevent burglaries, and commercial businesses rely on remote guarding to stop illegal dumping practices. But these are just examples.
The best way to find out if remote guarding is right for you is to talk to a security professional about your needs and security issues. They can talk you through your options and help you decide if remote guarding makes sense for your property.
Want to find out what remote guarding can do for your business or property? Learn more about your options by getting your free quote today.