Small business security isn’t what it used to be. And if you aren’t ready for what’s coming, you’ll be left behind.
Here’s the reality of where we are today…
Traditional security solutions just aren’t enough anymore. Alarm systems that only alert you after an incident occurs are damage control at best. Cameras that record footage for later review are useful for insurance claims, but they won’t stop a thief in the act.
If you want to be prepared for the future of small business security, live video monitoring is where it’s at.
This powerful technology is revolutionizing the way small businesses are able to protect their assets, employees, and customers. It’s proactive. It’s affordable. And it’s working.
In This Guide
- Why Small Businesses Are A Target
- What is Live Video Monitoring?
- The Big Advantages For Small Businesses
- Comparing it to Traditional Security
- Getting Started With Live Monitoring
Why Small Businesses Are A Target
Let’s face it, you and I both know criminals don’t just go after the big box stores.
The reality is that small businesses are easier targets for criminals. Fewer resources to deter them. Weaker security measures to get around. Thieves know that targeting small businesses is more lucrative and less risky than going after the big names.
As you can see by this breakdown by Capital One Shopping at least 85% of small businesses experience some sort of retail theft each year. In fact, the majority of small business owners will experience retail theft at some point in their tenure as a business owner.
And the more troubling data is that small businesses lose $1,686 per month, on average, to retail theft. When you think about it, for small business owners that are just hanging on by a thread, that amount of money could be the difference of staying open or having to close their doors.
This is precisely why live video monitoring is a game-changer for small businesses looking to protect themselves without going broke in the process.
What is Live Video Monitoring?
Live video monitoring is what the name suggests.
Instead of cameras that simply record footage for later analysis, professional security specialists are watching your property as it happens. They monitor multiple camera feeds from a remote location and respond to threats in real time.
Here’s how that works typically:
- AI cameras detect movement or suspicious behavior
- Footage is instantly transmitted to a monitoring center
- A trained specialist authenticates the threat
- They take action through audio alarms, flashing lights, or police dispatch
The key difference to traditional security cameras? You’ve got someone watching. And they can stop a crime before it’s complete.
The Big Advantages For Small Businesses
Live video monitoring has some pretty major benefits for small business owners. Let’s break it down.
Crime Prevention (not just Detection)
Old school cameras? They’re reactive. They record evidence after the fact.
Live monitoring is proactive. When someone tries to break into your business after hours, the system detects them on the spot. A real human double-checks the threat and issues an audible warning through on-premise speakers.
The result is a 90% crime deterrence rate, where most criminals will take off before even trying to attempt a break-in.
This is not hearsay. A systematic review of CCTV studies by the US Department of Justice found CCTV systems with active monitoring generate significantly larger crime reduction effects than passive camera systems. The bottom line is: an active presence reduces crime.
Major Cost Savings
Retaining security guards is expensive.
From annual salary, to benefits, to holidays, training and more, a full-time security officer is going to set you back anywhere from $35,000 to $60,000 a year. And that’s just for one person, one shift.
Live video monitoring gives you 24/7 coverage for a fraction of that cost. In fact, most small business owners have reported slashing their security budget by 40-60% compared to in-person guards.
That’s cash you can put back into your business.
Faster Response Times
Criminals move fast and you need to be able to respond as quickly as possible.
Old alarm systems require multiple steps. Alarm goes off. Monitoring company calls. You verify it’s not a false alarm. Police are alerted and dispatched. 8-12 minutes or more pass before anyone gets there.
With live video monitoring, the operator can verify the threat in seconds by reviewing the video and dispatching authorities immediately. This can cut response times in half and makes apprehending criminals in the act much more likely.
Fewer False Alarms
False alarms are a major pain. And they’re expensive.
Police departments are notorious for levying fines for frequent false alarms, or even refusing to respond when there’s been a history of false alarms at your location.
Live monitoring cuts down on false alarms significantly. Because an actual human verifies every alarm before escalating the alert, there are less false alarms. And police only get called when there is an actual threat.
Comparing it to Traditional Security
Live video monitoring is very different than the old way of doing things. So let’s compare it to some of the traditional options still out there:
Traditional Alarm Systems
Old-school alarms only alert you after a break-in has happened. Which means damage has occurred and criminals are probably long gone by the time you get the notification. They also generate high false alarm rates.
Static Security Cameras
Record footage for later analysis. They’re great for investigations after the fact, but they don’t prevent crime while it’s occurring.
On-Site Security Guards
A physical presence is great, but expensive. Also can’t be in multiple places at once. Humans. They get distracted.
Live Video Monitoring
Best of both worlds. Real time surveillance. Immediate response capability. Professional monitoring. And a price point that makes sense for small business budgets.
Getting Started With Live Monitoring
Want to get started with live video monitoring for your business? Here’s some key things to think about:
Do an audit of where you need it. Where are the weak points of your property? Break in points? Loading docks? Parking lots? Cash handling areas? These are all common targets that you’ll want to pay special attention to.
Coverage. How many cameras do you need? Where should they be placed to get the most out of it? Professional providers will be able to map this out for you based on your specific needs.
Integration. Best systems tie together with your existing tech. Access control systems, smart locks, environmental monitoring sensors. All can be integrated into a unified platform.
Industry experience. Retailers have different security concerns than warehouses or office buildings. Look for providers with experience in your space.
Wrapping Things Up
If you’re still worried that implementing a live video monitoring solution is going to be a headache, let me tell you that it doesn’t have to be.
Live video monitoring is a game-changer for small business security. It shifts the paradigm from reactive to proactive, from recording crimes to stopping them from happening in the first place, and from hiring on-site security personnel to using affordable remote monitoring.
The tech is proven. The cost savings are tangible. And with small businesses facing increasing theft and security challenges, it’s quickly becoming not just a viable option, but a necessary one.
Your competitors are already there. It’s only a matter of time before you or them.
The question is, will you be ready or will you be left behind?