Proactive Monitoring

The security industry is flooded with a wide range of features and functionality in CCTV solutions.   The equipment varies from basic do-it-yourself kits to enterprise-class solutions using thousands of cameras featuring edge analytics, redundancy and failover recording.  Every video solution records video but how you handle the video is the key element.   There are two options: a reactive system in which a person searches video after an event or incident occurs or a proactive system which is actively monitored by an onsite operator or alarms/events are transmitted to a central monitoring station (CMS).  Although reactive systems provide forensic evidence for investigations into past crime, proactive systems can be used to prevent crime or to catch offenders red-handed.

When to Use Proactive

Proactive video systems are designed to prevent loss of property or risk to employees by detecting potential threats before an incident occurs.  Placing cameras around the perimeter of the site allows analytics to detect and alert operators of intruders before they reach protected property.  Also, the police arrive early and can catch the offender red-handed, instead of trying to work out what happened a day later. Theft, damage and the loss of business continuity all cost money, so the system can pay for itself as soon as the first intruder is warned off.  A proactive system is a perfect solution for customers who are concerned about high insurance deductibles in the event of theft or injury, or protection of critical infrastructure from potential damage or risk from loss of service.  It’s also useful with high value targets where a business needs to know about a potential threat immediately.  Proactive video monitoring can augment guard services, saving customers thousands of dollars a year.  Systems like this are used by stores, utilities, logistics facilities, parking garages, residential communities, and construction sites.

How Proactive Works

Proactive CCTV solutions have robust video analytics to detect unwanted people when they enter a restricted area, cross a fence line or loiter longer than reasonably necessary.  They provide advanced awareness alerting operators prior to an incident and preventing loss of property or risk to people.  They can be combined with perimeter detectors, alarm contact or gate entry/intercom systems to enhance detection or provide better services.

Benefits of a CMS

Utilizing a CMS, alarms are detected, verified and responded to in less than 20 seconds.  Some solutions enable two-way audio which allows an operator to communicate with unwanted visitors to tell them to visit during hours of operation or alert a criminal that the police have been dispatched.  False alarms are significantly reduced with video verification of an alarm.  A trained operator determines the significance of the alarm and if first responder dispatch is necessary.