Remote Monitoring vs. Physical Security: Which Is Right For Your Property?

Property security should be customized to meet your needs. When choosing the best security measures for your property, you might consider having either physical security or remote security. Before you commit, here are some of the pros and cons of each in order to help you find the best fit for your needs.

Physical Security

Physical security is the more effective option when there is a larger risk of physical harm. For example, security guards are particularly effective at physical patrols and controlled access, as they can react quickly to any emergency, such as a fight or theft. They can be an active force to stop vandalism, theft, and other criminal activity, making them generally more responsive.

What are the Advantages of Having Physical Security?

• Security guards can serve as a visual deterrent to potential thieves or burglars. They provide an extra level of protection for commercial security and residential security needs because security guards are trained to deal with threatening situations.
• With security guards on standby, a quick response will take place to either report or deter a crime happening on-site. Security guards are also trained in first aid, which allows them to react quickly to injuries as well.
• Security guards are trained to be observant and react quickly to a variety of on-site situations. Their presence can help prevent potential issues including flooding, weather damage, gas leaks, fires, and natural disasters.

What are the Disadvantages of Having Physical Security?

• Physical security guards can be expensive if you require a team of security guards to maintain your commercial security or residential security. 
• Large sites will need to have a team of security guards instead of an individual security guard in order to respond quickly to threats. In these instances, one security guard would be ineffective and remote security could help relieve the need for large teams.
• There are many risks involved in the actions of security guards, such as wrongful detention and poor customer service. These actions could lead to legal action and insurance claims, which would affect a company’s reputation or could potentially cause issues with residents.
• Many factors can impact a security guard’s performance. Issues such as shift management, job satisfaction, and loyalty will contribute to the effectiveness of security guards.

Remote Security

Remote security will help in reducing theft and other crimes on the premises by having eyes on all corners of your property. Remote security also ensures the safety of employees, tenants, and visitors by monitoring any activity. 

Concierge security will be able to help identify intruders who are on the premises illegally as well as those who may not be authorized to enter certain areas of the premises, such as high-security areas or restricted zones, without permission. 

What are the Advantages of Having Remote Security?

• Security cameras and motion sensors provide 24/7 surveillance.
• Security cameras record evidence of crimes so that perpetrators can be identified.
• Remote security will be able to alert emergency services if an incident occurs.
• Security cameras cannot be intimidated or threatened, unlike physical security guards.
• Visible security cameras can also be a deterrent for some criminals.
• Security cameras can be a more affordable option for large properties because they can survey large areas. 

What are the Disadvantages of Having Remote Security?

• There is an upfront installation cost for setting up a surveillance system, even though long-term maintenance is more affordable than having physical security guards.
• Remote security uses security cameras and motion sensors which are highly sensitive, and can sometimes result in false alarms rather than spotting real criminal activity. This means that remote security operators will likely need to spend time neutralizing false alarms.
• The camera footage may lapse and concierge security can miss real criminal activity if they aren’t paying attention when monitoring the security cameras.
• Remote security won’t have the real-time immediate response of an on-site physical security guard for your property.

Should I Choose Physical Security or Remote Security?

Keeping your site secure is a top priority and you have the option of introducing either remote security or physical security. A site survey and assessment is a risk management service that determines your property’s vulnerabilities. Based on a site survey and assessment, a security professional will be able to help you make the right decision. 

About OPS
OPS Security Group has over 80 years of combined experience protecting executives, businesses, residents, guests and government officials throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C. and New Jersey. As a regional security alternative with a service-first approach, we offer a level of customer service that international providers are too big to deliver. If you’d like to learn more, you can contact us at https://opssecuritygroup.com/contact/