Reduce Security Staff Costs & Maximize ROI with Remote Video Monitoring

Security personnel are the ultimate backtop for the safety and integrity of any organization. However, understanding the full spectrum of costs associated with employing a security team is essential for managing expenses and optimizing resources.

The largest portion of security costs comes from personnel salaries. These costs can vary significantly depending on factors such as location, experience level, and whether the guards are armed. Entry-level guards typically earn between $20-$30 per hour, while highly trained professionals can command rates exceeding $100 per hour.

In addition to salaries, organizations must often provide benefits packages that include health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions. These benefits add another layer of expense.

Training costs also contribute to the overall expenditure. Security staff must undergo continuous training to stay updated on security protocols, first aid, and appropriate use of force. The costs extend to uniforms, badges, radios, and specialized gear like bulletproof vests. Additionally, security staff need training on various security systems, which requires upfront investment and ongoing maintenance.

When considering these costs, it’s clear that maintaining a large security team is expensive. However, it’s also important to account for the potential costs of security incidents due to negligence, which can lead to significant financial losses. Here is how to reduce security staff costs and maximize ROI with remote video monitoring.

Security ROI

Return on Investment (ROI) in security measures the financial return gained from investing in security tools, staff, and processes. The goal is to prevent losses from theft, vandalism, and other security breaches, thereby saving more money than the security measures cost.

To achieve a high ROI, security spending must effectively reduce the risk of incidents. This requires a strategic approach to balancing costs and benefits, ensuring that investments in security provide substantial returns by preventing costly incidents.

Responsibilities of Security Staff

Security guards handle various responsibilities, including:

• Access Control: Monitoring entry points, verifying identification, issuing badges, and controlling access to restricted areas.
• Patrols: Regular patrols to deter crime and identify suspicious activity.
• Building Security: Securing buildings by locking doors and windows, responding to alarms, and monitoring security cameras.
• Loss Prevention: Preventing theft, vandalism, and other property crimes.
• Fire Watch: Monitoring for fire hazards and ensuring proper evacuation procedures during emergencies.
• Incident Reporting: Documenting security incidents and suspicious activity.
• Traffic Control: Directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic to ensure safety.
• Providing Assistance: Assisting visitors with security-related issues.
• Enforcing Rules: Enforcing company policies and safety procedures.

While these tasks are essential, they are also resource-intensive. This is where remote video monitoring (RVM) can provide significant advantages.

How Remote Video Monitoring Reduces Costs

Remote video monitoring (RVM) leverages existing CCTV cameras, transforming them into proactive security tools. This technology connects CCTV cameras to a remote monitoring center, where operators can assess live video feeds, issue voice warnings, and contact authorities when necessary.

RVM utilizes advanced video analytics to detect intrusions, smoke, fire, firearms, masked individuals, and other suspicious activities. When an alert is triggered, remote operators can respond quickly, reducing the need for on-site security guards.

By automating routine monitoring tasks, RVM allows security personnel to focus on more complex issues and investigations. This enhances overall efficiency and reduces labor costs, maximizing ROI.

Benefits of Remote Video Monitoring

Reduced Long-Term Costs

Managing security in-house can become expensive over time due to salaries, benefits, training, and equipment costs. In contrast, remote video monitoring reduces reliance on physical security staff, as one remote operator can manage multiple sites simultaneously. This eliminates the need for on-site infrastructure, such as guard booths and break rooms, resulting in significant cost savings.

Reduced Liability

Remote monitoring provides real-time alerts and the ability to zoom in on specific areas, allowing for timely intervention and preventing incidents from escalating. High-quality video footage serves as irrefutable evidence in case of theft, vandalism, or other incidents, strengthening your position in legal disputes and potentially leading to lower insurance premiums.

Greater Flexibility

Remote video monitoring systems can scale up or down based on changing security needs. Adding new cameras or locations to the monitoring system is seamless compared to hiring and deploying additional security guards. Mobile apps enable authorized personnel to access live feeds and recorded footage from anywhere, providing greater oversight and management flexibility.

Enhanced Monitoring

Unlike human guards who need breaks, RVM offers uninterrupted surveillance, ensuring your property is monitored 24/7. This reduces the risk of security lapses during shift changes or breaks. RVM operators can monitor multiple locations simultaneously, improving situational awareness and enabling quick responses to potential threats.

The Deterrent Factor

High-definition cameras and strategically placed signage indicating remote video monitoring can deter potential criminals. Knowing they are being monitored discourages them from attempting theft or vandalism.

Simplified Training

RVM simplifies security operations, requiring less specialized training compared to training on-site guards. This allows for quicker onboarding and deployment of security personnel, further reducing costs.