How Remote Monitored Security safeguards your Property

Amidst the alarming trend of ram raids, property owners are increasingly worried about the safety of their own home or business. All crime including break ins on an upward trend in Auckland.

This is where remote monitored CCTV Systems come into play. With real time monitoring enabling lightning fast response rates, these systems have been demonstrated to catch criminals in the act. Besides burglaries, this technology can also stop other threats like fire and vandalism.

How do security systems fight crime?

Deterrence

Security systems are a strong deterrent to burglars. Generally they work as a visible deterrent, showing burglars that the house is protected with more than just a fence or a gate. Alarms will let off a notification to a security company letting them know that there is a possible intrusion.

The presence of CCTV cameras especially can frighten a criminal, letting them know their actions are being recorded.

Evidence collection

The reason security systems, particularly those equipped with CCTV are such a strong deterrent is because they make it more likely for the criminal to get caught. Surveillance cameras capture all the movements of an intruder, proving beyond a doubt that they are the perpetrator for the burglary. They also help identify the burglar and potentially their vehicle through the registration plate as well.

This evidence is extremely valuable in any police investigation or court proceeding, making it far easier to prosecute the suspect if they are found.

Remote monitoring: an active approach

With the advent of network cameras that can communicate with the internet, the playing field shifts more towards security than burglar. Modern cameras that have network access have the ability to be remote monitored.

Remote monitoring is simply being able to access your security camera footage in real time from anywhere in the world. Whether you are simply watching your house from work an hour drive away. Or if you are on holiday on a tropical island. Modern CCTV systems can be accessed from a smartphone application. Your security is now in your own hands and you can respond to alarms and bad feelings straight away.

Real time response without physical presence

One of the biggest advantages to a remote monitored CCTV system is that it virtually replaces the need for an on-site security guard, or for calling out a patrol guard. Hiring a physical security guard is a large cost as you need to pay the salary of a full time employee, or even multiple if you want 24/7 coverage.

When integrated with an alarm system, remote monitoring takes the job of physically inspecting an alarm:

• An alarm sensor is triggered and sends an alert to you, or to a 24/7 monitoring station
• Whoever is monitoring the cameras opens the feed to identify why the alarm is triggered
• On live CCTV footage they can confirm if there is an intruder or a false alarm
• Once confirmed, police are called out to apprehend the criminal

This process can take less than half a minute, acting even faster than a security guard could if you have a large property to patrol. If police are nearby, the intruder can often be apprehended in the act, with police arrival times as little as 3 minutes in some Auckland areas.

24/7 security monitoring service

As a follow on, if you don’t personally want to monitor your property, there is a very reasonable alternative. Several security firms offer not just security personnel, but also round the clock alarm monitoring. This service is totally affordable, costing generally under $50 per month.

Whilst you are sleeping, or in a meeting, or on holiday, you can’t and maybe don’t want to be checking your camera feeds. These companies will do it for you, being able to check your cameras and respond however you’ve arranged them to – either calling yourself, a patrol guard, or the police.

Combatting non-burglary threats

Remote monitoring is useful for not just property intrusions, but other types of damage are covered too. It all functions on the basic principle of verifying anything that sets off an alarm, or checking cameras at regular intervals.

Fire

Fire is an often overlooked threat when compared to burglaries. But it can be much more severe. A burglar can steal tens of thousands of dollars of expensive items. A fire can burn down your entire property and everything inside. If there are any pets in your house they will be victims as well, that no amount of money can replace.

By utilising a network fire alarm, or cameras which have thermal sensors programmed to detect fire, remote monitoring can make short work of a fire just like a burglar. Once the fire alarm is set off, it takes half a minute to verify that it isn’t a false alarm. The speed of the response rate is critical, as every minute the fire is left unchecked is potentially more damage than an entire burglary.

Additionally, by using remote monitoring to confirm the presence of a fire, you avoid false alarms which can be quite costly if the fire fighters are called out.

Vandalism/Graffiti

Although not as severe as a burglary or a fire, it is still unpleasant to wake up and realise your home or business is covered in graffiti, or your mailbox is ripped out of the ground. Just like a burglary, remote monitoring will deter vandals with its presence, and help prosecute those that do it anyway.

And like mentioned before, the ability to respond to the crime as its happening in real time extends to this category as well. If graffiti “artists” have begun work on a large tag covering half your wall, police can catch them while they are still working if you manage to respond fast enough.

Conclusion

The almost instant response time you can achieve with Remote monitored security systems really changes the game in favour of the property owner. With 24/7 monitoring from anywhere in the world, you have the ability to counter threats like burglary, fire, and vandalism in real time.