Businesses have been using manned security guarding for ages. It is undoubtedly one of the best security solutions that can be customised as per the business’s needs. With the advent of technology, everything including security systems has transformed. Today remote security solutions enable offsite security guards to monitor sites via CCTVs and respond to alarms in real-time.
Most businesses feel that manned guards can assist prevent disruptions and neutralise situations while also lowering the risk of criminal activity and/or accidents. Guards, on the other hand, cannot be everywhere at once or always be at the right place at the right time. When manned guards are combined with the power of today’s technology, the results are unrivalled.
When you say you find yourself torn between using manned guarding, or remote guarding video surveillance solutions, we completely understand your situation. To help you decide which one is right for you, we are going to highlight the key differences between manned guarding and remote video guarding.
Security Guards
Security guards work for a private security company and are employed by property owners or managers. They are deployed to protect the property physically during business and non-business hours and often overnight. Security guards on duty are paid by the hour, perform routine checks, and write reports of any instance they observe.
Security guards work best for those who need to have a presence on-site and must enforce parking rules in real-time. However, there is a downside of hiring security guards, including managing them, not being able to monitor your full property at all times, and of course the expense of hiring them.
Manned Guarding Advantages |
- A security guard acts as a visual deterrent
- Security guards can quickly respond to either report or deter a crime happening on-site
- Guards can quickly respond to other on-site issues such as weather damage and gas leaks
- Maintain a physical presence on-site
- Handle on-site tasks like opening gate entrances, checking doors to ensure they are locked, and walking staff to their vehicles
- Directly controlled by property managers
- Enforce parking rules in real-time
- Greet guests and patrol buildings as needed
Manned Guarding Disadvantages |
- The expense of manned guarding is a consistent problem, and it isn’t likely to go away as the cost of labour continues to rise
- If the site is large, it can be difficult for an individual guard to respond quickly to threats, unless a team of guards is employed
- Actions of security guards, such as wrongful detention, could lead to legal action and insurance claims, which could affect a company’s reputation
- HR issues such as shift management, job satisfaction, and loyalty are factors that can impact a security guard’s performance
- Tend to fall asleep during overnight shifts, often because security is a second job for guards who come to work already fatigued
- Time and resources dedicated to security personnel management
- Low wages discourage engagement
- Often lack specialized skills and communication abilities due to lack of education
- An abundance of downtime leads to boredom and inadequate attention to detail.
Remote Guard Service
Remote guarding service utilizes high-tech CCTV cameras placed strategically around the property and keeps an eye 24 hours seven days a week. It’s a much more cost-effective solution, video surveillance allows monitoring operators to keep an eye remotely on multiple unattended sites, react to potential alarms and respond quickly in the event of a break-in.
Video Monitoring Advantages |
- Security cameras and motion sensors provide reliable 24/7 surveillance
- Cameras record evidence of a crime as well as enabling operators to respond to alarms in real-time
- Unlike human guards, security cameras cannot be easily intimidated or disarmed
- The physical presence of security cameras on-site acts as a deterrent to criminals
- Security cameras can survey a large surface area, and with this information, one ARC / central monitoring station can protect multiple sites
- Intervention within 60 seconds of unwanted activity arriving on property
- Well-paid, highly trained staff monitor camera footage and respond
- Transparent events with video evidence of all activity
- Keeps the remote guarding company honest, because every event is captured with audio so the client can easily track guard staff response time
- Video surveillance backed by technology that improves every year, allowing for minimized incidents and faster response times
- Technology never sleeps, takes a day off, or shows up late
Includes a suite of equipment and services including:
- Camera repairs/service
- Full access to tech support
- The daily system checks to ensure proper operation
- Free service calls to visit the property
- Low cost. On average, remote systems cost 35-50% less than physical security guards
- Equal police response time when compared with on-site security, but with a lower personal risk of engagement
Video Monitoring Disadvantages |
- There is an initial cost for installers to set up monitoring equipment and survey the site for blind spots. However once installed, the average maintenance cost over a year is less than employing a security guard.
- Remote guarding’s use of cameras and motion sensors is highly effective in detecting potential criminal activity, but it can generate a large number of false alarms from a swinging gate to an animal walking past the camera. Human operators have to neutralise these alarms, creating an overwhelming amount of unnecessary work that can distract their attention from genuine alarms.
- There is room for error when operators become tired or lose concentration, as there is a risk, they could miss genuine alarms.
- No physical on-site presence
- Cannot perform tasks on location, like greeting guests or walking them to their vehicles
- Unable to enforce parking regulations
Summing-up
Security has come a long way with a night watchman patrolling the streets to remote surveillance. Developments in technology solutions for the security industry have had a positive impact on businesses, customers, and employees – in more ways than one. Technology products and solutions are the most efficient and quickest way to enhance and make manned guarding more effective, especially at sites with large perimeters and/or multiple ingresses and egress points like gates, doors, windows, loading docks, etc.
Businesses should concentrate their efforts in using the guarding services coupled with the latest technology solutions, that will help to improve the delivery of information regarding possible threats.
Shergroup offers new systems and technology platforms, that can help businesses enhance their manned guarding protection by providing more pinpoint accuracy on an issue. Our systems allow for faster response time and provide a safer environment for your property, employees, and the existing manned guards. Check out our security solutions and select the type of security you’re interested in for the protection of your property.
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