Security is an essential factor to consider and invest in when it comes to protecting your company’s property, people, and assets. Things like customer safety, tenant satisfaction and retention, and the overall culture of your business are all directly influenced by your approach to security
With limited budgets, time constraints, and other disruptions, companies may not have any security features in place to prevent theft, vandalism, and other costly, unwanted activities. If a business has taken steps to implement a security solution, many decision-makers may only consider surface-level security factors, like price and camera count, often forgetting to ask the questions that truly matter.
There are five features to evaluate before choosing a security solution for your commercial or residential business: risk exposure, operational continuity, budget stability, compliance, and long-term support. Going beyond the basics and creating the framework for your unique security needs helps you find the right solution, and the right provider for your business.
VirtuGuard™ remote video monitoring is your security solution that addresses all five critical features that influence your internal buying decisions.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what to ask every security provider before choosing the best option for your company.
The Security Buying Decision is More Complex Than It Seems
When you think of security, you probably think of Security Guards, surveillance cameras, access control, or traditional alarm systems. While these can all be aspects of a successful security solution, they each have limitations when not utilized as part of a bigger plan. Proactive video monitoring applies several technologies, approaches, and resolution techniques to create a security solution customized for each company’s specific needs.
Poor, or nonexistent, security in commercial or residential businesses doesn’t just leave companies exposed to theft, trespassing, vandalism, or other nuisance activities. It can create financial, operational, and reputational exposure, having a greater impact on a business than expected.
VirtuGuard™ is a remote video monitoring, or virtual guarding, solution from BOS Security, Inc. Decades of experience in the physical security sector and experts on evolving Artificial Intelligence and video analytics capabilities empower VirtuGuard™ to proactively secure commercial and residential properties across the United States.
Here are the five features that should drive every internal security buying decision to protect more than just your physical property.
Does the Security Solution Actually Reduce Your Business’s Risk Exposure?
SafetyCulture defines risk exposure as “a business or individual’s vulnerability to potential losses, liabilities, or adverse outcomes due to various risks.” In other words, risk exposure is the combination of threat probability and potential impact.
There are three types of risk exposure to consider:
- Financial risk: potential loss of money due to changes in the market, lost business, legal costs, etc.
- Operational risk: potential disruption to business processes, services, and operations
- Reputational risk: potential damage to a brand, customer trust, and market position
A reliable, effective security solution can reduce your company’s risk exposure, but it is important to ask the right questions when choosing a service provider. VirtuGuard™ addresses these questions and concerns using multiple layers and approaches.
Does the solution prevent incidents, or only react after they occur?
With AI-powered detection capabilities, Virtual Guards are alerted at the first sign something is amiss at your property. We visually verify each event, and if an alert is legitimate, Virtual Guards can respond appropriately in an instant.
Can it deter vandalism, theft, and trespassing before escalation?
Most traditional security solutions only respond to an incident after the damage has already been done. VirtuGuard™ is proactive in responding to an incident in real-time to prevent trespassing, theft, vandalism, and other illegal or unwanted activity before it becomes a risk to your business. Voice Warnings are an effective tool in deterring unwanted activity before it escalates.
Does it provide documentation for incident investigations?
Any time an incident occurs, VirtuGuard™ provides a detailed report of the event, including the steps taken to resolve the incident. For incidents that require law enforcement assistance, we can provide these reports and relevant video footage to assist in investigations.
In addition to proactively preventing security incidents, VirtuGuard™ can conduct Video Audits as a tool to proactively identify workplace safety and compliance risk.
Learn more about how remote video monitoring reduces business risk exposure.
Will the Security Solution Keep Your Operations Running—Even When Things Go Wrong?
Operational continuity, or the ability for a business to continue essential functions despite damages, losses, or critical events, poses significant risks to companies every day. A reliable, proactive security solution is essential to preventing interruptions that could cost a company’s finances, reputation, customer retention, and more.
Remote video monitoring can prevent incidents that could cause disruptions to business functions, including theft, trespassing, vandalism, hazard events, and provider downtime. VirtuGuard™ enables immediate detection and instant intervention to keep your operations running smoothly at all times.
Is the service available 24/7/365 with no gaps due to staffing issues?
With VirtuGuard™, you don’t have to worry about Security Officers calling in sick, falling asleep on the job, or pulling a no-call, no-show. Our Command Centers are staffed 24/7 each day of the year with alert, trained Virtual Guards to detect and respond to incidents in real time.
What is the provider’s own continuity plan if a Command Center goes offline?
Our Command Centers have operational continuity plans in place as well. With several Command Centers in vastly different locations, we can ensure that even if one of our Command Centers becomes inoperable, your business won’t experience a gap in security coverage. Our Command Centers are also equipped with backup power generators and backup internet, so we can continue operating in the face of natural disasters, severe weather, and other potential disruptions.
Can the system monitor for physical hazards (floods, fire, CO) beyond just security threats?
Our Command Centers can also monitor other detectors and devices, like flood detectors, smoke and fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, temperature sensors, etc. By detecting a physical hazard before it causes an interruption in operations, we can alert the appropriate staff or emergency services to maintain operational continuity.
Can the solution operate on solar power and data for remote or off-grid properties?
VirtuGuard™ Mobile Surveillance Trailers are powered by solar power and cellular data and can be easily relocated to meeting changing security needs.
Read more about operational continuity and how remote video monitoring can support your business.
Is the Security Solution Affordable and Transparent in its Pricing?
Many businesses make the mistake of choosing the cheapest option or forgoing security entirely when creating their budgets. Even if a business or location has no prior history of security concerns, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t take precautions.
Investing in a security solution you can trust to prevent trespassing, theft, vandalism, and other disruptive activities will save your company money, reputational damage, and loss due to interruptions in operations in the long run. Ask security providers the questions below when evaluating which solution is right for your budget.
Is pricing customized to your property’s actual needs, or is it a flat rate regardless of fit?
VirtuGuard™ customizes a security solution for each company, pricing included. Factors like camera count, monthly activity level per camera, established monitoring hours, additional devices or technologies, and more are used to determine the price of remote video monitoring services.
Are there long-term contracts that lock you in regardless of performance?
Many remote video monitoring providers require clients to sign 3-5 yearlong contracts. VirtuGuard™ does not and will never require a long-term contract. We operate on a month-to-month basis.
Does pricing scale up or down as your needs change?
Because we operate on a month-to-month basis, our services can evolve with your business if your security needs or circumstances change.
Almost 6 million property crimes were committed in 2024, including burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported increased business costs due to crime, including higher insurance premiums, operational downtime, and lost productivity. The cost of leaving your commercial or residential property unprotected far exceeds the price of remote video monitoring services.
Explore how VirtuGuard™ delivers budget-stable security for businesses.
Can the Security Solution Help You Meet and Document Compliance Requirements?
Running a successful business often requires meeting compliance standards, and documenting proof of compliance. The Corporate Governance Institute defines compliance as “adhering to every law, regulation and ethical guideline that applies to your business.” Depending on your industry, geographical location, and other factors, a business may be held to a variety of standards and requirements. Failure to comply with federal, state, local, or internal requirements could result in financial loss, operational downtime, and reputational damage.
When looking at security providers, be sure to ask these questions about compliance.
Can the solution be customized to meet industry-specific or state/federal security regulations?
VirtuGuard™ solutions are customized for each client based on their property, technology capabilities, and security needs. Because our services are flexible and customizable, we can design a solution that adheres to federal, state, local, and company-wide requirements and standards.
Does the provider offer third-party documentation and reporting for compliance purposes?
Video Audits from VirtuGuard™ can be conducted using existing surveillance cameras and similar technologies or devices to evaluate a company’s operations and internal processes. Thorough documentation of the audit, its findings, and its recommendations will be presented to the company, providing proof of compliance or ways requirements aren’t being met.
VirtuGuard™ can develop a custom auditing checklist and plan for almost any industry and purpose, including:
- Standard Operational Video Audit
- Compliance Video Audit
- Department Video Audit
- Investigative Video Audit
- Loss Prevention Video Audit
- Merchandising Video Audit
- Occupational Video Audit
- Rent Control Video Audit
- Workplace Safety Video Audit
- OSHA Compliance Video Audit
Learn how VirtuGuard™ remote monitoring helps businesses maintain compliance.
Does the Provider Offer Consistent, Responsive, Long-Term Support?
Implementing security at a commercial or residential property is not a set-it-and-forget-it purchase or process. It requires continuous support, meaning you need a provider you can establish an ongoing partnership with that grows with your business. When looking for a security solution and provider, ask these questions about the long-term support they offer after the initial setup.
Is support available 24/7, or only during business hours?
VirtuGuard™ offers 24/7 support should a technical issue or service question arise. In addition to monitoring for suspicious activity at your site, our Virtual Guards proactively monitor the health of your cameras and equipment, ensuring that no activity slips through the cracks.
How does the provider communicate during onboarding, incidents, and service changes?
VirtuGuard™ maintains consistent communication with clients through the discovery phase, onboarding, incident response, and beyond. We take note of your communication preferences and apply them when an incident occurs or another issue arises. If you need to make changes to your service plan, VirtuGuard™ is always reachable and responsive.
Discover why long-term support matters when choosing a remote video monitoring provider.
How to Evaluate a Security Provider: A Quick-Reference Checklist
Download the checklist below to use during your internal buying process or security provider review.
VirtuGuard™: A Security Solution with the Features That Matter Most
The right security solution does more than deter crime at your commercial or residential property. It actively protects your finances, operations, compliance standing, and long-term business health and performance.
VirtuGuard™ remote video monitoring addresses critical features you need in a security provider: risk exposure, operational continuity, budget stability, compliance, and long-term support. Don’t wait to secure your business. Complete the contact form below to see how VirtuGuard™ can be customized to your unique property and needs.