Access Security Corporation believes that every guard team should be working directly with a video surveillance system to enhance a facility’s overall security. The combination of manual security and digital security greatly enhances the security of a facility.

1. A video surveillance system can be your guard team’s extra set of eyes
   • A security guard, or even an entire team of guards, is bound to miss something – they are human after all. Perhaps, they missed an incident because they were on rounds elsewhere, or maybe they just had their back turned at the wrong time. A video surveillance system, and the guard monitoring it, will pick up the slack when a guard may simply overlook something suspicious.
   • Tip: Some video surveillance systems can detect motion and track objects and people as they move through an area. Contact our team of security experts to learn more.
     
2. Your guards will be able to cover more ground
   • Even with all the walking security guards do – a video surveillance system still covers more ground. Cameras can cover every inch of your facility if needed. With the cost of IP cameras falling and video quality continuing to improve large high quality systems are becoming more common than ever.
   • Tip: Unlike a camera, a security guard can stop a crime. It is best practice and whenever possible to have a guard or monitoring service viewing the surveillance camera system. Monitoring of the system allows on-site guards to respond to situations, events and alarms.
3. A video surveillance system is more credible during investigations
   • Compared to video, eyewitness testimonies are inherently unreliable. Many eyewitness accounts are vulnerable to recall bias, which occurs when outside forces cause the brain to completely rewrite a memory. A person can easily forget or not even notice important details of an event. In fact, according to ISPUB, 20% of critical details are sometimes not even recognized and other details are completely irretrievable after the incident. It will be a lot easier for your guards to analyze incidents and recall information using a video surveillance system because they can easily watch the recorded event.
   • Tip: When research video surveillance systems ensure that it’s easy to use and you can quickly locate, retrieve, and export video. Make sure to ask your security vendors or partner how many steps it takes to perform this common and simple task. The more steps – the more complicated the surveillance software is. A quality system should be able to deliver a video in 3 to 5 clicks.
4. You’ll save money
   • The combination of security guards and video surveillance is undoubtedly a reliable option for increased security, but you may be able to scale back on your guard force or minimize certain shifts after implementing a video surveillance system. According to PayScale, a team of ten (10) team guards could cost you up to $350,000 per year, not including benefits. Implementing a video surveillance system could easily help save upwards of $100,000 per year! While a video surveillance system may be more upfront; the payout can easily be worth it.
   • Tip: Is your team worried about additional costs after the system has been installed? Make sure that you have keep money in the budget for software upgrades and camera upgrades. Technology is always advancing with higher resolution and feature rich IP cameras.  Keeping a small amount in a budget for updates and upgrades is always a good idea.