Security is crucial for cannabis businesses due to their valuable merchandise and distinct security needs, necessitating the safeguarding of employees, customers, and assets through innovative solutions like cannabis security guard alternatives.
Following cannabis legalization, Health Canada and ACMPR have established laws and regulations to govern its access and use, making it widely available in numerous dispensaries for CBD or medicinal purposes.
And because it is so accessible now, marijuana thieves are going after it like surprising eagerness! Cannabis in any form—plants, pills, edibles, creams/lotions, or even oils—is something they are willing to steal, snatch, and get away with.
Owners of cannabis businesses are baffled about how to ensure cannabis security at every turn, from cultivation to distribution to storage and transportation. Cannabis thieves use cunning strategies to outwit security personnel who cannot provide 24/7/365 vigilance.
This article will explore the advantages of opting for remote video monitoring as a security solution for cannabis centers, as opposed to relying solely on traditional cannabis security guards.
How severe is the cannabis theft problem in Canada?
Even though possessing illegal cannabis carries a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or a maximum jail sentence of six months, theft is still at an all-time high.
A report by Stratcann.com reveals cannabis stores across Canada, such as those in Gleichen, Alberta, and just outside of Calgary have been hot targets for robbers and burglars, making away with almost $2,500 worth of cannabis products.
Why do security guards offer a limited approach to safety?
Security guards may be considered inefficient in securing cannabis facilities for several reasons:
- Inadequate capacity to properly monitor and scale.
- Lack of cost-effectiveness.
- Human limitations are inherent in security guards.
- Late detection results in a slow response time.
Inadequate capacity to properly monitor and scale:
Huge cannabis facilities may have a lot of areas that may need constant vigilance, such as cultivation areas, processing and extraction zones, entrances and exits, storage facilities,and distribution hubs.
Security guards may need help to maintain continuous monitoring across the facility, leaving surveillance gaps for internal and external thefts.
Lack of cost-effectiveness:
Hiring a huge number of security guards to adequately cover a cannabis facility can be expensive. Cannabis facilities are usually located in remote areas where you might need to increase the number of security guards.
The costs associated with such a large number may outweigh the benefits as compared to remote monitoring.
Human limitations are inherent in security guards:
Security guards are subject to human limitations, such as fatigue, distraction, and the inability to monitor multiple areas simultaneously.
Security guards alone cannot provide continuous surveillance to protect processing areas, laboratories, and equipment from unauthorized access.
Late detection results in a slow response time:
Guards may not always be near an incident and may not always respond immediately.
The effectiveness of security guards can vary based on their training, experience, and adherence to security protocols. Inconsistent training across different guards may lead to gaps in response practices.
What is cannabis remote video monitoring?
Remote monitoring of a cannabis facility involves the use of surveillance cameras placed at strategic locations.
In addition to being equipped with powerful AI video analytics, cameras and other security devices that are connected to a security operations center can set off alarms, generating prompt remote operator response.
The camera AI triggers alerts as soon as it detects smoke, fire, intrusions, or other suspicious behaviors.
Upon activation of an alarm, the remote operators promptly intervene, following the client-specified SOPs, such as performing voice interventions, calling the police, or dispatching on-site security guards.
How remote video monitoring serves as an alternative to traditional cannabis security guards:
Health Canada has made the physical security requirements mandatory for licensed producers of cannabis. Indeed, they must secure cannabis within a designated area with physical barriers, intrusion detection, and 24/7 monitoring.
Video surveillance for cultivation rooms is no longer mandatory, but access points must still be monitored.
Here we have discussed some of the ways remote video monitoring acts as a cannabis security guard alternative and effectively fulfills the security requirement of Health Canada.
Remote video monitoring offers full facility coverage:
To implement security measures for the entire facility, strategic placement of cameras is mandatory.
This involves monitoring key areas, such as:
- Entrances and exits: To monitor access and prevent unauthorized entry, cameras can be placed at main entrances, employee entrances, and loading docks.
- Processing and extraction zones: To protect processing equipment and extracted products, cameras should be placed to cover processing machinery and extraction areas.
- Storage facilities: To prevent theft of stored cannabis products, it is wise to place dome cameras due to their 360-degree wide-span view of storage rooms, vaults, and product storage locations.
- Distribution hubs: The most essential step is to monitor product movement during transportation. Placing cameras at distribution centers, shipping areas, and loading bays is necessary for quick detection of security breaches.
- Perimeter security: For effective trespasser deterrence and early threat detection, install cameras at perimeter fences, gates, and outdoor cultivation zones.
- Parking lots: Enhance safety for employees and visitors over the entire parking lot, focusing on entrances/exits.
This ensures that only authorized personnel or vehicles handle the transportation of harvested cannabis products or equipment, protecting them effectively.
Strategically positioning a few security cameras throughout the cannabis facility ensures uninterrupted surveillance of the entire property, a capability beyond the reach of security guards who can only be present in one location at any given time.
Additionally, it’s important to note that security guards cannot maintain 100% vigilance at all times, unlike security cameras, which remain impervious to fatigue and distractions.
Remote video monitoring enables extended footage retention:
Health Canada mandates extended retention periods for surveillance footage. Recordings must be kept for a minimum of 90 days. This extended retention ensures that any incidents or activities can be reviewed and verified for a substantial period.
Clearly, relying solely on security guards does not yield any video recordings. Remote video monitoring, however, enables the storage of footage on-premise or in the cloud for extended durations.
Remote video monitoring offers better protection of storage facilities:
Moreover, remote video monitoring offers better security of vaults and storage areas where cannabis products are stored, including harvested plants and finished products.Â
You can secure these vaults with RFID technologies by assigning unique identification codes to each RFID card or fob. This ensures that only individuals with the correct and specific credentials can gain access to the vault.
You can also enhance security by integrating biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or iris scans, with RFID technology. This dual-layered approach adds an extra level of verification for access.
Remote video monitoring offers optimum perimeter security:
The outdoor perimeter of the facility, along with any outdoor cultivation areas, requires constant vigilance to deter trespassers, prevent theft, and address potential security threats.
Installing sturdy gates and barbed wire enhances the security of outdoor areas by preventing unauthorized entry and deterring animals.
To further enhance security at a cannabis facility, installing remote gate access controls enables remote operators to oversee the facility partially or fully.
This setup requires the installation of a few cameras and two-way audio communication, all managed by a remote operator and connected to a remote live video monitoring center.
AI video analytics enhancing security for cannabis businesses:
Using AI video analytics in conjunction with CCTV security cameras allows for even more rapid, safe, and proactive security breach detection. The intelligent security system enhances security by:
1. Object detection : The camera AI detects unauthorized entry by identifying unusual movement by car or person during surveillance hours. Upon detection, the system triggers an alarm to the security operations center. A remote operator quickly reviews the connected security devices there.
Gains: Stop theft and vandalism before any damage is caused.
2. License plate recognition : The camera AI detects and records the license plates of the vehicles entering and leaving the facility. It provides stronger access control security and helps apprehending suspects after the fact.
Gains: Prevent unauthorized access and arrest thieves.
3. Smoke and fire detection AI solution : It detects the earliest signs of fire hazards and sends an alarm to the security operations for swift footage examination and prompt response by security operators.
Gains: Prevent wildfires and damaged goods.
4. Loitering detection : It actively identifies individuals who remain on your property longer than a set period. Once this time limit passes, the system sends an alarm to the operations center. Security operators may intervene with voice interventions or by calling on-site guard patrol to deter loiterers.
Gains: Prevent theft, vandalism, and accidents and protect your assets, infrastructure, and goods.
Conclusion:
The cannabis industry faces unique security challenges. The need of the hour is a robust security system that goes beyond traditional security guards.
As a viable cannabis security guard alternative, remote video monitoring emerges as a cost-effective and efficient solution. This advanced method provides complete facility coverage. It includes remote area surveillance and extended video storage.
It also uses advanced AI solutions for object detection, loitering detection, license plate recognition, and smoke and fire detection. This ensures comprehensive security without just depending on physical guards.
Reach out for a tailored security solution that offers complete protection for every part of your cannabis facility with our top-notch cannabis security solutions.
