Meet Mark, an auto dealership owner downtown. Despite spending $15,000 a month on security, he was devastated by an $80,000 auto theft. Now, Mark faces a critical decision: how to enhance security without further straining his already burdened finances.
Don’t worry; now Mark and you can enhance your security while cutting down on security staff expenses! Discover the power of remote video monitoring.
Remote video monitoring can directly impact your ROI by reducing reliance on on-site security and by offering enhanced vigilance and actionable evidence!
In this blog, we will crack the code on ROI (Return on investment) in security, understand those pesky security costs, and explore ways to maximize your return!
Impressed by the power of RVM (remote video monitoring)? Read on to discover how to reduce security staff costs and maximize ROI!
Security staff can be expensive, but before you cut them loose, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re paying for.
Once you know the breakdown, you can find ways to make security more efficient, freeing up money to invest in things that bring a bigger return.
What are security staff costs?
Security personnel salaries:
Salary is the biggest chunk of the security staff’s costs. The salary depends on a few factors such as the city, experience level, and also whether you need a guard to use a gun or not!
Entry-level guards might cost around $20-$30 per hour, while highly trained professionals can reach $100 or more.
Security personnel benefits:
Some organizations must comply with laws that require offering benefits packages, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions.
Security staff training costs:
Security staff undergo continuous training to remain adept in security protocols, first aid, and appropriate use of force.
Additionally, the cost for security staff includes uniforms, badges, radios, and any specialized gear like bulletproof vests. This ensures they are well-prepared and equipped to handle various security situations.
They also need to be trained to the efficient use of different types of CCTV security cameras, access control, and alarm systems, which require upfront investment and ongoing maintenance.
All right, this gives us a comprehensive overview of all the costs associated with employing a large security team.
But it doesn’t calculate the security incidents that may occur due to their negligence and cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars!
Now, explore our research and calculations on the costs of staff security across North America. Let’s take a quick look!
Private Security Costs in North America (USD).
| Service | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard per Hour | $15 – $100+ | Varies based on experience, location, and qualifications (armed vs. unarmed). |
| Security Guard per Month (40 hrs/week) | $2,400 – $16,000+ | Multiply hourly rate by working hours per month. |
| 24 Hour Security (Single Guard) | $5,760 – $38,400+ | Monthly cost based on 24/7 coverage (one guard per shift). May require additional guards for breaks. |
| Security Guard per Year | $28,800 – $192,000+ | Yearly cost based on monthly rate. |
| Armed Security Guard per Hour | $25 + | Generally higher than unarmed guards due to training and liability. |
So, what’s ROI in security? It’s basically a fancy way of asking: “Are we getting our money’s worth from our security measures?”
Think of it like this: You invest in security tools, staff, and processes. This is your security cost. But security isn’t just about spending money; it’s about preventing losses.
A single act of theft, or vandalism can cost a ton. So, your security return is the money you save by avoiding these nasty events.
Here’s the magic: A high ROI means your security spending is saving you more money than it costs.
Let’s take a look at the responsibilities you’re paying your security guards for:
The responsibilities of the security staff:
- Access Control: Monitoring entry points, verifying identification, issuing badges, and controlling access to restricted areas.
- Patrols: Regularly patrol the premises on foot or by vehicle to deter crime and identify suspicious activity.
- Building Security: Securing buildings by locking doors and windows, responding to alarms, and monitoring security cameras.
- Loss Prevention: Preventing theft, vandalism, and other property crimes.
- Fire Watch: Monitoring for fire hazards and ensuring proper evacuation procedures are followed during emergencies.
- Incident Reporting: Documenting security incidents, suspicious activity, and apprehensions.
- Traffic Control: Directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic to ensure safety and order.
- Providing Assistance: Providing directions, answering questions, and assisting visitors with security-related issues.
- Enforcing Rules: Enforcing company policies and procedures regarding access, conduct, and safety.
You must now wonder how something can replace all the workload your security staff handles. That is exactly what we are discussing in the next section; we’ll explore how integrating your surveillance system with a proactive detection system can automate many of these activities.
This approach enables you to achieve the same security goals with less manpower, reducing costs and maximizing ROI — everything you need!
How remote video monitoring reduces security staff costs:
You’ve already made a smart investment in security with your CCTV cameras. And surely, you’re incurring costs for both the cameras and the security guards who monitor the footage and respond to incidents.
But here’s the thing: What if you could maximize the value of your existing camera system? That’s where remote video monitoring (RVM) comes in.
Remote video monitoring integrates seamlessly with your current cameras, transforming them from passive observers into powerful, proactive security tools.
How does remote video monitoring work? The CCTV cameras are connected to a remote video monitoring center. As a security breach is detected, an alarm is triggered at the remote video monitoring center.
The diligent operators access the live video feeds, assess the situation, and then act in accordance with the client’s standard procedures. This could mean issuing a voice warning through on-site speakers, calling the police, contacting the site’s security manager, etc.
So, what does this mean for you?
Advanced video analytics on security cameras analyze video feeds to automatically detect intrusions, smoke and fire, firearms, masked individuals, violence, and other unwanted activities.
Alerts are triggered at the remote monitoring center, where operators review and respond accordingly. This allows you to hire fewer security guards and focus them on complex issues and investigations.
This is exactly what you need: automation tools that free up your security team for complex issues. AI video analytics reduces security costs and maximizes ROI by processing data faster.
Security cameras can collect and analyze 8,800 times the amount of data that a single security guard can!
Visit this blog to learn how much remote video monitoring will cost in 2024!
How Advanced Video Analytics Can Help Security Staff Activities:
The following table briefly explains how security staff activities can easily be replaced by advanced video analytics more effectively!
| Security Staff Activity | How Advanced Video Analytics Can Help |
|---|---|
| Monitoring entry /exit points | > Automatically detect unauthorized entry attempts. > Recognize pre-registered individuals and vehicles. > Trigger alerts for suspicious activity at entry points. |
| Verifying identification | > Facilitate remote gate access control. > Reduce manual verification time for authorized personnel. |
| Issuing badges | > Streamline access control by integrating with RFID badge systems. > Reduce reliance on physical badges for entry. |
| Controlling access to restricted areas | > Trigger automated door locks based on authorized individuals. > Generate alerts for unauthorized access attempts in restricted areas. |
| Patrolling the premises | > Reduce the need for constant physical patrols in low-risk areas. > Allow security staff to focus on high-risk areas and respond to alerts. |
| Building Security | > Monitor security cameras remotely and receive real-time alerts for suspicious activity. > Reduce response time for potential security breaches. |
| Loss Prevention | > Detect unauthorized movement of objects in restricted areas. > Identify potential theft attempts and vandalism in progress. |
| Fire Watch | > Integrate with smoke and fire detection AI to detect potential fire hazards. > Improve situational awareness for security staff during fire emergencies. |
| Incident Reporting | > Generate video clips as evidence for security incidents and apprehensions. > Improve accuracy and efficiency of incident reporting. |
| Traffic Control | > Can be used to monitor traffic flow and identify potential congestion points |
| Enforcing Rules | > Can be used to identify violations of company policies in certain situations (e.g., loitering in restricted areas). |
Boost Security ROI: Partner with Remote Video Monitoring Experts.
Reduced Long-term costs:
While managing security yourself might seem cheaper upfront, it can become much more expensive in the long run.
Security firms offer a flat regular rate, while in-house teams require ongoing costs for salaries, benefits, training, equipment, and even rehiring due to high industry turnover.
Remote video monitoring reduces your reliance on security guards, as a single remote operator can manage multiple sites simultaneously.
This eliminates the need for security personnel at every entry point, resulting in significant savings on guard booths, break rooms, and other on-site infrastructure.
Reduced Liability:
Remote monitoring allows for a quicker response to suspicious activity. With real-time alerts and the ability to zoom in on specific areas, security personnel can dispatch help or intervene remotely in a timely manner, potentially preventing incidents from escalating.
High-quality video footage captured provides clear and irrefutable evidence in case of theft, vandalism, or other incidents.
This can strengthen your position in legal disputes, potentially lead to lower insurance premiums, and help police investigations.
Greater Flexibility:
Remote video monitoring systems can be easily scaled up or down as your security needs change. Adding new cameras or locations to your monitoring system is seamless compared to the effort required to hire and deploy additional security guards.
Some top-notch live video monitoring companies offer mobile apps that allow authorized personnel to access live feeds and recorded footage from anywhere with an internet connection.
This provides greater oversight and management flexibility, especially for businesses with multiple locations.
Enhanced Monitoring:
Unlike human guards who need breaks, RVM provides unwavering surveillance, ensuring your property is monitored around the clock. This significantly reduces the risk of security lapses that might occur during shift changes or breaks.
RVM allows operators to monitor multiple locations simultaneously, providing a broader view of your entire property. This improves situational awareness and enables them to quickly identify and respond to potential threats.
RVM can be integrated with other security measures like access control systems and motion detectors. This creates a comprehensive security network that provides a more robust defense.
The Deterrent Factor:
High-definition cameras and strategically placed signage highlighting remote video monitoring can act as a strong deterrent to potential criminals. Knowing they’re being monitored discourages them from attempting an attack or theft.
Training:
RVM simplifies security operations, requiring less specialized training compared to training on-site guards on specific protocols and procedures. This allows for quicker onboarding and deployment of security personnel.
Conclusion:
To reduce security staff costs and maximize ROI, consider remote video monitoring with AI. This technology automates many of the tasks traditionally performed by security guards, such as monitoring entry and exit points, verifying identification, and patrolling the premises.
Don’t wait for disaster to strike! Prompt detection with AI-powered video analytics turns your security system into a money-saver.
Contact us today to spot threats and vandalism early, minimize damage, reduce security staff costs, and maximize your return on investment.
