Are you looking to enhance the security of your organization? If so, you probably have one question - “Should I invest in CCTV alarms or a Verified Security Solution?”

In this blog, we take a look at what both verified security solutions and CCTV alarms are, what the challenges of traditional CCTV security is and how you can greatly benefit from a verified security solution.

We hope this blog helps you make your decision!

What is a verified security solution?

Verified alarms are an innovative security system that use state-of-the-art technology (both video and audio) to detect criminal threats on an organization’s premises. When a threat is detected, a live feed is sent to a security expert in a 24/7 central monitoring station who is able to verify if it’s a real threat.

With this verification step, false alarm rates are significantly lower than that of traditional CCTV alarms. Once verified, the local police enforcement is notified with real-time information on where the criminal is and what they are doing. 

What is conventional CCTV security?

CCTV alarms, also known as closed-circuit television alarms or video surveillance, is the use of video cameras, recorders and display monitors to record activity on a site with the aim of enhancing security.

Cameras transmit live video directly to a display monitor, allowing companies to monitor what’s going on in specific locations of their business. Cameras and monitors allow for live viewing, while recorders archive that same footage for later references. 

Traditional CCTV security systems have been around for decades, and have been commonly used by governments and businesses to enhance the security of the locations in which they are used.

What are the challenges with CCTV security cameras?

When it comes to traditional CCTV alarms, the truth is that they are simply ineffective at protecting your business and stopping crimes in progress. They merely record the activity as it happens, and then alert you after the event.

Here are a few reasons why your business should not use traditional CCTV security.

CCTV doesn’t stop crime in action: Unless you have a security guard watching your CCTV 24/7, the video recorded on your CCTV alarms won’t stop a crime from happening. It will simply record the event so you can watch the replay, but by that time your businesses will have already been damaged or stolen from.

You won’t catch culprits red-handed: If someone vandalizes or steals from your business, you want to catch them in the act right? Criminals know that with CCTV systems, they can simply wear a mask and leave the scene way before any law enforcement arrives to stop them.

It doesn’t deter criminals from targeting your premises: Thieves and vandals have years’ of experience in working their way around traditional CCTV systems - and they are not deterred by them. They know that as long as they have a disguise, then they have a minimum of at least 20 minutes to do what they want and then get out of there without being caught.

CCTV isn’t customized for your unique requirements: If you want a half-hearted security system, then throwing up some CCTV cameras on your facility’s walls is the way to go. However, each business and location is different. Security solutions should be designed for your unique layout. Most CCTV alarm providers simply don’t take the time to analyze your company’s needs.

What are the advantages of verified security alarms?

Instead of a conventional CCTV system, businesses should really consider the benefits that come with a verified alarm system. Verified alarms give you all the operational management and recording benefits of regular CCTV, but with one crucial feature - verification.

Here’s why verification is so important for your security system.

You no longer need to worry about false alarms: Traditional CCTV is not verified. The average false alarm rate for CCTV alarms is a staggering 98 percent. It’s often a wild animal rummaging around in the garbage or an employee coming back to the office for something they’ve forgotten. Sonitrol verified alarms have the lowest false alarm rates in the industry because we have a security expert verifying that they are real. 

Police respond significantly faster: Since police officers know they are responding to a real crime and not a false alarm, police respond significantly faster to verified alarms in comparison to traditional CCTV. in fact, the average dispatch time for verified alarms is just 3-4 minutes, compared to the average of 45 minutes for CCTV systems.

Deter criminals before they set foot on your premises: Thanks to the fact that Sonitrol has helped police forces apprehend more than 175,000 criminals since 1977, thieves and vandals know the Sonitrol name. When they see Sonitrol verified alarms on your premises, they’ll stay far away.

Build a customized security solution for your specific needs: Verified alarm systems are built for the unique needs of your premises. A security expert will audit your existing security and design a verified alarm solution to enhance your security.

Interested in learning more? Get a free security plan with Sonitrol Western Canada.