As a business owner, one of the most important responsibilities you have is to keep your business safe and secure. There are many ways to do this, but one of the most effective is through interactive remote video monitoring. Not only can implementing remote video monitoring prevent crime but it can also reduce your liability insurance costs.
Introduction to VirtuGuard™ Remote Video Monitoring
VirtuGuard™ is an interactive remote video monitoring service offered by BOS Security, Inc. From our Command Centers headquartered in Athens, Georgia, a highly trained security team has access to live camera footage and recorded video from your locations through security cameras and other infrastructure installed on your property. The security infrastructure, like motion sensors and traditional alarms, combined with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, alerts VirtuGuard™ Agents to activity and events as they occur, in near real time.
Proactively patrolling a property through security cameras and being alerted at the first sign of criminal activity or unwanted behavior allows our Command Center Agents to react accordingly to each unfolding or ongoing event based on your site-specific protocols.
Unlike other remote camera monitoring companies that leave it up to you to respond to events at your property, you can trust that skilled security professionals are monitoring your security cameras and security system and reacting to security events 24/7/365.
The Benefits of Remote Video Monitoring for Businesses
Live video monitoring has many benefits for businesses. One of the biggest benefits is that it allows you to trust that your property is safe and secure even when you aren’t there. Whether you opt to implement VirtuGuard™ inside or outside of your business hours, our Command Center Agents can be your virtual eyes, ears, and voice, ensuring the security of your property so that you don’t have to.
Another benefit of remote surveillance is that it can help deter crime. When potential thieves or vandals see that your business is being live monitored by cameras, they are less likely to target it. This can help reduce the risk of theft, vandalism, and other types of crime.
Remote video surveillance is more cost effective than hiring an on site security guard. Command Center Agents can view a live feed of the entire property, covering more ground than even multiple security guards.
How Remote Video Monitoring Can Reduce Commercial Insurance Rates
One of the biggest expenses for businesses is commercial insurance. However, by implementing interactive live video monitoring, you may be able to reduce your insurance rates.
Insurance companies often offer discounts to businesses that have security measures in place, as they are considered to be less of a risk. VirtuGuard™ monitors your surveillance cameras, security systems, and other security infrastructure to protect your business from crime, including theft and vandalism.
Additionally, VirtuGuard™ can protect your business from workplace safety hazards and violations and fraudulent worker’s compensation claims. Compliance violations and workplace injury lawsuits can be costly for your business and have a negative impact on your reputation. While live video monitoring is concerned with the security of your property, it can also ensure that safety policies and procedures are being followed in your workplace.
VirtuGuard™ Agents can monitor for safety hazards, like wet floors, spills, the handling of hazardous or expensive materials, and more. Agents proactively monitor and remove hazards that could lead to injury, which can then lead to costly lawsuits. If an accident or injury does occur on your property, VirtuGuard™ can investigate the incident by reviewing video footage and determining whether the cause of an injury is legitimate or fraudulent.
For industries like construction, education, manufacturing, and other high-risk fields, you may be required to implement more security measures at your property. In tandem with or in lieu of a traditional physical security officer, VirtuGuard™ can protect your business from internal and external liabilities.
Remote Video Monitoring vs. Traditional Security Systems
With interactive remote video monitoring, highly trained security professionals monitor your business 24/7/365, relieving the burden of business owners or managers being responsible for the security of the property. VirtuGuard™ Agents act at the first sign of crime.
Through two-way audio speakers installed on your property, Agents can deliver audio announcements or demands from our remote Command Centers. If an unknown individual attempts to enter your property after hours, an Agent can engage directly with them instructing them to leave and return during business hours. If an individual persists, an Agent can adopt a more authoritative tone, instructing the individual leave or local law enforcement will be called.
If your property does not have audio speakers or if suspicious people continue their behavior after being engaged through audio speakers, VirtuGuard™ Agents can dispatch on site security officers, local law enforcement, or emergency services to address the incident onsite.
VirtuGuard™ interactive remote video surveillance is a proactive approach to security. We seek to prevent security events from occurring on your property and intervene quickly and effectively if an incident does occur.
Traditional security surveillance often requires onsite staff to monitor your surveillance cameras. This can be inconvenient and also ineffective. If someone is not watching the live video stream, suspicious activity can slip through the cracks.
A traditional security system, including burglar alarms, motion detectors, and more, will often send an immediate alert to local law enforcement once an alarm is triggered. This leads to false alarms and a waste of police response, which many communities have since implemented ordinances to put a stop to false alarms. VirtuGuard™ can investigate alarms and then act if needed, resulting in fewer false alarms and eliminating the strain put on local authorities to respond to each alarm.
Remote Video Monitoring for Business Insurance Claims
Remote live video monitoring can also be useful for business insurance claims. If there is an incident at your business, such as a break-in or a fire, the footage captured on your surveillance cameras can be used as evidence for insurance claims. This can help speed up the claims process and ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Additionally, VirtuGuard™ can monitor environmental factors, including flood sensors, fire and smoke detectors, freezer and fridge temperatures, and more. At the first alert of flooding, fire, and other environmental risks, Command Center Agents can take appropriate action to reduce the risk.
Case Studies of Remote Video Monitoring at Businesses
VirtuGuard™ remote video surveillance can be applied to a wide range of industries and businesses. Below are three case studies of incidents that occurred at client sites that were quickly and effectively resolved by VirtuGuard™.
Example: Construction Sites
An active construction site elected to implement VirtuGuard™ to meet their insurance requirements and reduce the risk of theft, vandalism, and trespassing. We placed several surveillance cameras at strategic locations around the property, including a security camera pointed directly at the site of the crane. The cameras are powered by solar power and cellular data, allowing VirtuGuard™ to monitor the location despite not having a local power or internet source. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) was applied to the cameras so that the Command Center would be alerted to movement on the site outside of working hours.
Late one night, Agents were alerted to activity at the construction site after AI motion detection triggered an alarm. In real time, a Command Center Agent detected two young males trespassing on the property and approaching the valuable equipment and materials. The Agent dispatched a nearby BOS Security Officer to respond to the site.
The Security Officer arrived and spotted the two males climbing down from the crane tower. The trespassers tried to flee but a nearby law enforcement unit chased the males and foot and apprehend them at a neighboring business. The trespassers were arrested and charged with Obstruction of Law Enforcement and underage possession of alcohol.
VirtuGuard™ was able to catch and resolve the risk of the trespassing event, which could have resulted in an expensive loss of materials, or a serious injury experienced by the trespassers.
Read the full story on how VirtuGuard™ stopped trespassers on a construction site here.
Example: Car Dealerships
A car dealership was concerned about trespassing and theft on their property after business hours. The business chose to implement VirtuGuard™ remote video monitoring to prevent unwanted and illegal activity from occurring on their property. The exterior of the entire property is covered by video surveillance Agents utilized the existing intercom system as a tool to interact with unauthorized people entering the property after hours.
One night, Command Center Agents were conducting a proactive virtual patrol of the property when they observed a man and woman smoking an unknown substance. An Agent delivered three voice commands over the intercom instructing the unknown people to leave but their behavior was not deterred.
VirtuGuard™ immediately called local law enforcement, reporting a trespassing even in progress. Police arrived minutes later and searched both the man and woman and their belongings. They found drugs and paraphernalia. Both suspects were arrested on outstanding warrants and new charges.
By removing the risk of theft or a drug-related medical emergency occurring on the premises of the business, the car dealership was protected from liability and a negative impact on their reputation.
Read the fully story about VirtuGuard™ stopping trespassing at a car dealership here.
The Future of Remote Video Monitoring for Businesses
Remote video surveillance is becoming increasingly popular among businesses, and for good reason. It is an effective way to keep your business safe and secure, reduce your insurance rates, and provide peace of mind. As technology continues to improve, remote video monitoring services will become even more advanced, making them an even more valuable tool for businesses.
If you are interested in learning more about VirtuGuard™ or other physical security services for your business, fill out the contact form below or complete a request for a security assessment today.
Related Topic; HOW MUCH DOES REMOTE VIDEO MONITORING COST?