Statics reveal there are more than a million security guards working in the United States. For business owners and residential property managers, having a security guard on-site is reassuring as it can help ensure the safety of property, employees, customers, and residents. Not many realize, however, that there are risks involved in relying on security guards alone. 

Lack of training. Many states mandate that security guards receive approximately eight hours of pre-assignment training, 8-16 hours of on-the-job training, and eight hours of annual training. Unfortunately, there are a lot of companies that hire undertrained security guards, hoping they will learn the skills they need as they go along. They do not always follow the proper protocols, which endangers lives and property.

Physical limitations.  A security guard cannot be in different places at the same time. Even if the guard focuses on identified hotspots, there are still details that can be overlooked. Hiring a team of guards entails costs that some businesses can not afford.

Bias. Over time, security guards form relationships with the people they are hired to protect, such as tenants and employees. This might affect their objectivity on the job.

Human error. When emotions are running high, lapses in judgment are more likely. A guard might act inappropriately or escalate a situation unnecessarily when under pressure.

Time and time again we’ve heard of security personnel involved in bribery cases. Security guards are sometimes exposed to situations where their integrity can be compromised.

Occupational hazards. Because of the nature of their job, guards are more likely to be fatally injured than the average worker. 

Left unchecked, these risks can lead to costly consequences.

Live remote video monitoring

As technology continues to evolve to become more efficient and affordable, more companies are augmenting or replacing traditional security guards with live remote video monitoring. The system lets managers of apartment complexes, industrial hubs, and office buildings view on-site cameras from virtually anywhere, which can aid in identifying and preventing crime before it happens.

Remote video monitoring is just as effective as security guards, if not better. Traditional guards have a limited view of the premises, especially in larger sites. Video monitoring technology allows operators to cover multiple areas simultaneously and see what’s going on from angles that might be difficult for guards to access.

Businesses benefit from additional savings, as remote video monitoring systems only cost a fraction of what it would entail hiring a traditional guard. Incident response time is also faster. Operators can see any suspicious activity as it happens, which lets them make judgment calls in real-time.

Surveillance systems can be calibrated to meet different security requirements; businesses can set what views they want to access and determine what the response levels are for different situations. Surveillance systems can also be equipped with audio deterrents to warn trespassers they have been detected. 

Remote video systems monitor 24/7. Having archived footage is very useful especially if video evidence is required to move an investigation forward. Unlike guards, video systems do not stop. Moreover, remote video monitoring systems take the guesswork out of surveillance as these provide a factual portrayal of what actually happened. Guards might forget some details while recalling the incident.

Security camera installation expert ICU Security works with video surveillance solutions provider Stealth Monitoring to provide Nashville-based businesses with cutting-edge remote video monitoring systems. ICU Security can assign a team member to operate the systems as needed and provide a bull horn to deter property intruders from going any further.

Established in 1999, ICU Security are Nashville-based security camera installation specialists serving communities in  Brentwood, Murfreesboro, and Franklin, TN. Get in touch by calling (615) 208-2891.