24/7 Continuous Monitoring: Are CCTV Companies Overselling?

The usual immediate response is installing a CCTV system to deter theft and criminal activity. But do CCTV companies really practice what they preach? Will your property actually receive 24/7 continuous monitoring with a CCTV system?

The answer may surprise you! Explore the world of closed-circuit television (CCTV) and find the best option for your property!

How Do CCTV Cameras Work?

CCTV is a system that captures images and sends them to a video recorder. The video recorder then archives the images and stores them for later use. You can then review the footage at any time.

Sometimes, the service comes with a monitoring station. A security workforce watches the display units only in case of alerts then keyholders, owners, or authorities are contacted

CCTV’s alarm triggering is based on built in softwares which is not capable to make a difference between real or false alarm triggering. Rain drops, surrounding traffic, spider web, wind, animals, airco fans, and many other moving thing can trigger the automated system causing big volume of false alarms and the real alarm events can easily be lost among the false alarms.

Preconditions of CCTV’s alarm triggering are:

the CCTV system must be in armed mode,

the CCTV system devices must be maintained and operational otherwise will not send alarm signal to the monitoring station

When it comes down to the research, CCTV is not overly effective in deterring crime. Studies have found that CCTV systems work best for car theft but in all other cases, they offer little to no benefits.

What Is 24/7 Continuous Monitoring?

Continuous monitoring means that your property is under observation at all times. This means 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But is that really the case with CCTV companies?

The answer is: no. First of all CCTV alarm monitorng companies are monitoring the CCTV alarm system, but not the property.

Active vs. Reactive

CCTV systems are reactive. That means the alerts come in after a situation is already in progress and in case the system is in armed mode. There’s usually no way to spot suspicious activity unless a monitoring team is watching it real time.

Authorities often use the footage for identification and evidence, but this reactive approach means the damage has already been done! Is there a better way to monitor the premises instead of the alarm system itself?

Active, continuous, and live monitoring with remote guards is a superior way to keep watch. A team of dedicated guards that observes footages from a single locations, so that the guards can catch situations before anything unwanted could happen!

Armed and Unarmed Mode

CCTV cameras come with different programmable settings, depending on your needs, but the storage problems mean that your system may be in unarmed mode during the day. This also means that the cameras are offline and not gathering footage and not sending alarm signals.

It might seem like a good compromise, but it also defeats the point of continuous monitoring. Recent studies show that theft often occurs during the day. And specifically between 10 a.m and 3 p.m, when it comes to residential homes.

Even retailers and businesses are seeing more brazen daytime thefts. Sometimes activity even occurs when there’s an in-person security guard present! Satistics show that 60% of crime goes unsolved because it is reactionary versus preventative.

AI or Security Workforce

When CCTV companies use monitoring services, they may offer AI or a security workforce. We’ve already covered how the security workforce operates, but what about AI monitoring?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often said more sophisticated than a set of human eyes, however, this is not the truth yet. It also has many downsides, since AI has limitations, which is not known by single users in general. Amongst other things the programs and security patches have to be regularly updated. Missing an update can mean a non-functioning system!

None of the AI softwares can detect a suspicious activity mainly due to the lack of data and behavioral samples which is the basis of any AI program development.

Other big drawback of an AI solution is false alarms. Computers are very good at catching movement and activity, almost too good. Any movement caused by wind, birds, rain, or traffic can trigger alarms.

False alarms result in added costs and lowered awareness. Company personnel may become wary of the system and ignore alerts, assuming it’s an error. Authorities may also become slower to react when false alarms occur over and over.

In-Person vs. Remote Security Guards

So if CCTV is an ineffective way to protect your property, how do security guards measure up? In-person security guards patrol and monitor the premises during the hours they’re assigned. They can also keep an eye on security cameras during their shift.

While the presence of a uniformed guard may deter some, it’s often not enough to stop criminals. This is especially true if they know the guard is unarmed. But criminals will also be extra cautious with a guard nearby, often slipping in unnoticed.

Even in case of on-site guard presence there are always blind spot around the property.

Remote guarding means that the guards are not on the property physically but their eyes are kept on it through the real-time live feeds of the CCTV cameras, which are watched uninterruptedly 24/7/365.

Remote guards aren’t visible on the property. Without any obvious security protection, criminals may be more reckless. Reduced caution can make it easier to spot suspicious activity and get clear identification shots of the perpetrators.

And although the guards have already alerted the authorities, the culprit has no idea. They may linger, giving the officers ample time to catch them.

On-site manned security sounds like a much safer option, but at what cost? Most security guards come from a third party, whom charges an average wage of $16.52 per hour to a security officer which on average is a 4.28% mark up from what the officer is being paid. So if you hire one guard for 24-hour surveillance , that adds up to over $2775 per week! Depending on the size of your property, you may need multiple guards. The costs add up quickly! Meanwhile, remote guard solutions can cost as little as $1 per hour, depending on size and industry.

Benefits of Off-Site Video Surveillance

When it comes to 24-hour continuous surveillance, there’s one clear winner. A dedicated team of off-site guards monitoring your property at all times live and real-time!

Each guard monitors maximum 32 live feeds and works a 45-minute shift, meaning a fresh pair of eyes observing your property at all times. The team receives employment training upon job acceptance. They also take part in regular training to upgrade skills and cement their knowledge.

Their focus is on actual suspicious activity! Like in the case of Login Business Park, a 10,000 m² location, where we achieved a 99% reduction on in-house theft! False alarms will be a thing of the past when guards observe your property. 

The other great benefit is cost-efficiency. We offer solutions for all properties, including offices, schools, businesses, and more. And they’re all cost-effective, with prices starting at just $1 per hour, depending on the property type.

CCTV Monitoring: Is It Worth It?

So, does CCTV provide continuous monitoring, and is it worth it? We would describe CCTV services more like alarm monitoring. The reactive response system is not a fully 24/7 continuous monitoring system.

If you want to upgrade your property’s security services, off-site guards are your answer to continuous monitoring. And with the added bonus of affordable pricing and reduced false alarms!

Contact Swissguard to set up a consultation and learn how far we go to protect your assets!