Remote Video Monitoring: How it Works

June 21, 2022 | By: mm-admin

CCTV video systems is slowly becoming a more prevalent request from customers, particularly in areas where police departments are requiring verification procedures prior to dispatch on alarm calls from their commercial intrusion alarm system.  Police departments, particularly those in the United States have found that video monitoring provides them with enhanced police response, which in turn increases apprehension rates during alarm calls.  This video from SDM Magazine from Law Enforcement Officers drives home this point:

Used in concert with a commercial intrusion alarm system, video monitoring can be an effective tool to improve the security in your facility and the safety of your employees.  What most people don’t know is how video monitoring actually works, and how a monitoring station like FMC uses these systems.  Monitoring companies like FMC use software platforms to effectively view and monitor video and record the actions that an operator takes while doing this. Often, you can use your existing CCTV system with these software platforms, especially if you are using an IP-based CCTV video system. No additional expense, beyond the monthly fees for monitoring, is required. After this, there are 3 main classifications of video monitoring:

Live Video Monitoring

This type of monitoring involves having a remote agent viewing your cameras on a full time basis.  While an operator may not be viewing your cameras at all times, they are monitoring for generally 15 minutes or more at a time. This is a very intensive process, and fees from your monitoring company usually reflect this. This is not always the most cost-effective way to monitor a site, however for some locations it can be a requirement. This would also require a large amount of data, as video streams would need to be constantly sent to a remote monitoring company.

Scheduled Video Monitoring

This type of video monitoring consists of checking in on cameras at specific times of day for a client, often to ensure that specific events are happening, or specific protocol.  This can include, deliveries, guard tours, arrivals or any other type of specific event the client needs checked on.  This type of video monitoring is not as intensive as live video monitoring, nor does it use as much data as the scheduled video check-ins are shorter in duration.

Triggered Video Monitoring or Event-Driven Video Monitoring

This type of video monitoring involves viewing CCTV video cameras as a result of a specific event taking place at the client’s location.  This can include signals from a commercial intrusion alarm system, alarms from the video system itself (i.e.: a video analytics platform), supervisory types of signals from a building, or any other event which a client may want to have a video check-in of.  This type of video monitoring, also known as “video verification,” is the most effective way to monitor video. When paired with a commercial intrusion alarm system, for example, the system can select a pre-determined camera in the specific zone upon receiving an alarm. An operator can view a live shot of the alarm, as well as a recorded section of the alarm to determine the cause.  This can help determine the validity of the alarm, which in turn reduces false dispatches of police.

Once operators view the footage, they follow established protocols based on what they observe through the video monitoring system. The monitoring company’s automation software records all steps in this process. Operators can replicate this procedure for any event prompting them to view the cameras.

There are three types of video monitoring solutions, all contributing to enhancing the overall safety and security of your business. Understanding how video monitoring works helps determine the best solution for your business. FMC currently provides these solutions to our clients, and if you’d like to discuss this further, please contact us.