For commercial businesses and residential properties alike, access control is critical. Keeping unapproved visitors out helps prevent break-ins, vandalism, and theft. At the same time, tenants, staff, and approved guests need to be able to enter easily. Balancing those two goals is where a lot of access control strategies fall short.&;
Remote video monitoring and remote access control technology solve this problem without requiring a full-time, on-site guard at every entrance. At BOS Security, our VirtuGuard™ remote monitoring platform now integrates with 2N access control devices and technologies, giving clients a more complete and more responsive way to manage who comes and goes.
In this article, you will learn what remote access control management (RACM) and remote video monitoring (RVM) are, how 2N’s technology works, and how the two solutions work together to protect commercial and residential properties.
Key takeaways
- Remote access control management (RACM) lets approved people in automatically while screening or blocking anyone who is not authorized, without a guard stationed at the door.
- VirtuGuard™ remote video monitoring pairs live surveillance with trained Agents who can respond to activity in real time.
- 2N access control devices, from intercoms to mobile credentials, integrate directly with VirtuGuard™ Command Centers.
- Together, the two solutions cost less than full-time on-site staffing and scale across single properties or large portfolios.
What Is Remote Access Control Management?
Remote access control management (RACM) uses security infrastructure and technology to grant or deny access to parking lots, buildings, units, or other restricted areas.
Traditional Access Control vs. RACM
Traditional access control typically relies on an on-site Security Officer or other personnel to screen and verify visitors at an entrance gate or front lobby. RACM accomplishes the same goal with less hands-on time, enabling automatic entry for approved parties like residents, employees, and approved vendors and contractors.
| Traditional Access Control | Remote Access Control Management | |
| Staffing | Requires an on-site Security Officer or front-desk personnel | Managed remotely by VirtuGuard™ Agents from a Command Center |
| Verification | Visual check or manual sign-in at the gate or lobby | Photo and ID verification through cameras and intercoms |
| Entry Speed | Depends on staff availability | Automatic for pre-approved parties |
| Coverage | Limited to staffed hours | Available 24/7 |
With VirtuGuard™, rather than requiring on-site personnel to verify and grant entry, these duties are handled from a remote Command Center. Trained VirtuGuard™ Agents can verify a visitor’s identification and decide whether to grant entry based on protocols set by a residential or commercial business.
How It Works
VirtuGuard™ can equip an indoor or outdoor entrance with several cameras, each serving a different purpose. Face cameras and overhead cameras monitor check-in areas, while an ID drop-slot camera lets Agents capture and verify a visitor’s identification before granting entry.
Going beyond traditional access control measures, VirtuGuard™ Agents also monitor the activity and location of guests after they are granted access, to make sure no breaches occur. If someone is denied access and does not leave the premises, Command Center Agents can track their activity and alert on-site staff or local law enforcement if the situation escalates.
RACM Key Capabilities
Some key capabilities of remote access control management include:
- Remote gate and light control
- Virtual doorman services for residential and commercial businesses
- Visitor logging and tracking, including photo capture, ID verification, and timestamps
What Is Remote Video Monitoring?
VirtuGuard™ remote video monitoring is an interactive remote monitoring, or virtual guard, service. From Command Centers, VirtuGuard™ Agents have access to live video surveillance streams and recorded video from client properties through security cameras and other installed infrastructure. This infrastructure, combined with AI technology, alerts Agents to activity as it happens in near real time, and the Command Center team responds according to site-specific protocols.
Remote video monitoring can also replace or supplement on-site security officers, either by responding to AI-flagged events or by conducting scheduled or random virtual patrols of the property.
Core Capabilities
- Live monitoring of multiple camera feeds simultaneously
- Real-time response to suspicious activity, including verbal warnings, contacting authorities, or alerting on-site staff
- Integration with alarm systems, intercoms, and access control hardware
- 24/7 coverage without the cost of on-site guard staffing
Where RVM Is Used
Remote video monitoring is commonly used to secure:
- Apartment buildings, multifamily housing, and gated communities
- Automotive dealerships
- Manufacturing facilities
- Office buildings
- Parking decks and lots
- Almost any property equipped with security cameras and monitoring capabilities
VirtuGuard™ remote video monitoring can keep properties secure every hour of every day. When supplemented with devices and solutions like 2N access control, VirtuGuard™ unlocks even more proactive protection capabilities.
Introducing 2N: A Leader in IP Access Control Technology
Founded in 1991, 2N specializes in advanced technologies that power access control solutions. 2N invented the world’s first LTE and IP intercoms and has continued to lead in developing and manufacturing intercom and access control products.
2N products are built to integrate with each other as well as third-party technology, which is how VirtuGuard™ connects devices to our central station for proactive monitoring and remote control. 2N specializes in solutions for single-family homes, apartment buildings, and commercial offices.
Core Product Categories
2N carries a wide range of access control products so there is a fit for a customer’s specific requirements, including:
- Intercoms
- Access control
- Indoor stations
- Management platforms
- Elevator systems
- Apps and software
- Other devices, such as speakers and microphones
Access Credential Solutions
2N offers devices that use different technologies to match a customer’s needs, including RFID chips, biometric access control (fingerprints), PIN codes, and mobile options. Mobile access includes Bluetooth, QR codes, and mobile phone access through the patented WaveKey Bluetooth-based access technology.
Built-In Cybersecurity
2N readers feature encrypted communication and built-in cybersecurity measures, so a customer does not have to worry about privacy violations or cyber breaches.
How VirtuGuard RVM and 2N Access Control Work Together
2N access control devices integrate with VirtuGuard™ Command Centers to deliver a complete, remotely managed access control solution. VirtuGuard™ conducts proactive, effective monitoring while 2N devices secure the premises and ease access for authorized people.
For Commercial Properties
For remote video monitoring and access control management in commercial properties, such as offices, retail, and industrial sites, VirtuGuard™ uses 2N devices to:
- Remotely monitor 2N intercoms at building entrances and verify and grant access to staff, vendors, and approved visitors in real time
- Grant verified delivery drivers and contractors temporary, time-limited access without anyone needing to be present on site
- Flag and review any after-hours access events live to determine risk level and report abnormalities
For Residential Properties
For residential properties, such as apartments, condos, and HOAs, the combined solution enables:
- Direct communication between visitors and VirtuGuard™ Agents, residents, staff, or hosts before access is granted, with VirtuGuard™ Agents serving as a 24/7 Virtual Doorman and Concierge
- Remote verification and admittance for residents who are locked out
- Recorded and documented package deliveries and vendor visits
- Real-time detection of suspicious activity that could escalate to break-ins, theft, or vandalism, with intervention before it happens
Streamlined Access for Key Groups
With a VirtuGuard™ and 2N integration, access for key groups is streamlined. Customers can expect fewer disruptions, and on-site staff are not pulled away from their work to handle access control.
Staff and employees: 2N and VirtuGuard™ create pre-loaded credentials and access authorizations so employees can enter easily during work hours. Entries and exits are logged for security, HR, and compliance record-keeping.
Residents and tenants: Mobile access apps, keycards, and key fobs allow easy entry at any time of day or night, while video intercoms are monitored 24/7 by VirtuGuard™ Agents for any access issues.
Approved visitors: Pre-authorized visitor lists are created with 2N and VirtuGuard™. Agents conduct real-time ID verification at entry and document visitor access times.
Vendors and contractors: Temporary access windows can be created and revoked remotely. VirtuGuard™ Agents screen and verify vendors before granting access, and all entries are logged with times and images.
Why This Combination Is the Future of Property Security
Implementing VirtuGuard™ remote video monitoring alongside 2N products is a more cost-effective way to manage commercial and residential access control. With this combined solution, there is no need to hire or contract full-time guards or other personnel to screen visitors and manage property access.
VirtuGuard™ and 2N access control are also scalable. Whether a business has one location or multiple properties across different states, the solution scales to fit each company’s needs, and VirtuGuard™ Command Centers can proactively monitor multiple sites at the same time.
The combination of VirtuGuard™ remote monitoring and 2N access control delivers a smarter, more adaptable, and more cost-effective security solution for commercial and residential properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is remote access control the same as remote video monitoring?
No. Remote access control management focuses on granting or denying entry to a property, while remote video monitoring focuses on watching a property for suspicious activity. VirtuGuard™ combines both, using video monitoring to verify identity before granting access through 2N devices.
Does adding access control replace the need for on-site security staff?
For many properties, yes. RACM through VirtuGuard™ and 2N reduces or eliminates the need for a guard stationed at an entrance, though some properties keep on-site staff for other duties and use VirtuGuard™ as a supplement.
What types of properties use VirtuGuard™ and 2N together?
Apartment buildings, gated communities, HOAs, office buildings, retail centers, industrial facilities, and parking structures all use this combination, along with any property that already has security camera infrastructure in place.
How are visitors verified before being granted access?
VirtuGuard™ Agents review live video and photo ID captured through 2N intercoms and drop-slot cameras, then grant or deny entry based on the property’s specific protocols.
Can access be granted temporarily, such as for a delivery or contractor visit?
Yes. VirtuGuard™ Agents can create time-limited access windows for vendors, contractors, and delivery drivers, and access is automatically revoked once the window closes.
If you have questions about remote access control and video monitoring, VirtuGuard™ is your resource. Complete the contact form below to request more information and learn how we can use 2N products to secure your property. more information and learn how we can utilize 2N products to secure your property.