At a time when security threats grow increasingly sophisticated, businesses are reevaluating their approaches to office security. Traditional security guards have long been the backbone of physical security, standing watch to maintain safety and order. However, the rising costs of labor and the advent of new technologies are prompting a shift toward more modern and cost-effective alternatives.
The latest office security solutions are driven by the dual needs of enhanced safety and fiscal responsibility. Advanced surveillance technologies, for instance, are gaining traction. These systems, equipped with high-resolution cameras and artificial intelligence, can monitor large areas, analyze real-time video feeds, and instantly identify potential threats.
In addition to increasing the coverage area, video surveillance with artificial intelligence can improve the accuracy and speed of threat detection, often at a lower cost than staffing multiple guards.
Another emerging alternative is the use of virtual security services. These platforms use remote monitoring centers where trained monitoring operators oversee multiple locations from a single offsite facility. This approach allows for surveillance without the need for physical presence. Thereby largely reducing the overhead associated with traditional guard services.
Moreover, smart access control systems are revolutionizing the management of entry and exit points. By integrating biometrics, mobile credentials, and automated systems, these technologies help ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive areas, which cuts the risk of unauthorized entry.
As businesses continue to seek out security options that balance effectiveness with efficiency, these innovative alternatives are setting new standards for office building security, reflecting a shift towards more integrated, technology-driven protection strategies.
The Cost of Security Guards
It doesn’t take much to become a security guard. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 1.2 million security guards. The median salary is $37,070. This is hardly enough to afford a place to live and life’s essentials. In how to become a security guard, BLS says security guard jobs usually require a high school diploma or an equivalent.
As for training, BLS indicates employers often train new security guards. While the amount of training they get is inconsistent, most learn the job within a few weeks. State requirements for security guards also vary. BLS reports that most states recommend 8 hours of training, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training, and 8 hours of annual training. It’s possible for a security guard to obtain a license within two weeks.
Many guards aren’t armed. Armed guards, however, get more training than traditional security guards as they undergo weapons training. The requirements for becoming a security guard are simple. They must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check but that’s not always the case, and undergo training.
Some states do not grant security guards the authority to make an arrest. Even when making a citizen’s arrest, the security guard must witness the suspect committing the crime. They can’t arrest someone on suspicion. Security guards are not equivalent to police officers. The latter undergo training for months, sometimes years.
Video surveillance with remote monitoring provides more security and benefits for a lot less money. A retail center had on-site security guards around the clock. They paid $14,000 a month or $168,000 a year for the security guards. The company could not justify the cost and contacted Stealth Monitoring to find a more affordable security option.
After working with Stealth, the client paid just $2,000 a month for monitoring and a one-time cost of $35,000 for the equipment. Over a four-month period, the whole setup cost $8,000 less than 24/7 security guard services.
What does video surveillance and remote monitoring cost for one year? It cost this client only $64,000, which is 60% less than security guards. They get the benefit of two full-time employees with the office security solution. Trained monitoring operators work with artificial intelligence to do all the work.
Remote Video Monitoring Augments Security Guards
Live video monitoring offers a powerful way to enhance security guard effectiveness while potentially reducing overall security costs. By implementing real-time monitoring capabilities, office buildings can significantly expand their security coverage without increasing on-site personnel.
This proactive office security solution allows trained monitoring operators, working in conjunction with artificial intelligence and machine learning, to oversee multiple areas simultaneously, something that would be impossible through physical patrols alone. Remote monitoring teams can alert on-site guards to potential threats or suspicious activities, as well as contact local authorities. This can help speed response times.
Additionally, live video monitoring can capture and record events that human guards might miss during shift changes or while attending to other duties. This collaboration between live video monitoring and on-site security personnel can create a more robust, cost-effective security solution that offers broader coverage and improved incident prevention and response.
Offices working with Stealth Monitoring’s video surveillance and remote monitoring office security services typically pay far less for the technology and service than for a security guard. They often see a return on investment within months.
Security Guard Limitations
Security guards cannot always provide complete coverage of the office. An office has multiple areas where crimes and damage can occur. It’s almost impossible for security guards to monitor it all. They may not always be close enough to where suspicious behavior occurs. Therefore, they can’t always respond quickly enough.
Trained monitoring operators watching live cameras have the tools and resources to spot problems early. The best part is their lives are never at risk. This helps ensure they respond appropriately to every scenario. Security guards can make mistakes or can be put in dangerous situations, as this news story reveals:
NBCDFW reports a Brinks employee in Irving, Texas, took out money from an ATM when a suspect appeared. The police said the brazen thief forced the security guard to remove his pants and gun belt. The security guard had a license to carry a gun and yet he could not stop the suspect.
Recall the BLS lists three things that qualify someone to be a security guard. One of them is to pass a background check. According to this story, 31 states do not require background checks. Additionally, the story reveals the security guard industry has a high turnover because of low pay and dangerous working conditions.
Shopping for Office Security Technology
As you shop for office security, be aware that you may want your solution to be able to scale up or down. You may add more offices or space that would require expanding office security. You can level up your office security by integrating security solutions.
An integrated office security solution can maximize office security investment, centralize security management, and provide multiple layers. This saves time and money.
What should be included in an integrated office security system? A system that integrates video surveillance and remote monitoring with an access control system allows the property to manage office building access. An access control system can also monitor parking garage access and who has access to each part of the building.
Today’s access control systems allow you and the office property team to manage access from anywhere. Integrating video surveillance and remote monitoring with an access control system can speed up the search for incidents in a video recording.
To learn about office security, check out the guide to securing your office. Use this list of questions in your search for office security. To learn more, browse this website or contact us for information about office security solutions.
Texas Private Security License Number: B14187
California Alarm Operator License Number: ACO7876
Florida Alarm System Contractor I License Number: EF20001598
Tennessee Alarm Contracting Company License Number: 2294
Virginia Private Security Services Business License Number: 11-19499
Alabama Electronic Security License # 002116
Canada TSBC License: LEL0200704
