Remote Camera Monitoring combines the power of CCTV with advanced technology to help prevent and react to crime in real time. It also reduces the number of false alarms triggered by traditional motion sensors and dispatches police to the location more quickly when needed.

Using video surveillance, a security guard at a central monitoring station can view all areas of your business. They can also use it to deter crime and respond quickly when a criminal act is occurring. Live remote camera monitoring is a powerful addition to any security system, and can help eliminate false alarms that often occur with security alarm systems.

Many businesses use this technology to supplement their security, replacing onsite guards and passive surveillance. Depending on your needs, this can be as simple as installing a few cameras, or adding a mobile app to your existing system. The best part about remote camera monitoring is that it allows your security agents to interact with a scene as the crime is occurring, rather than simply alerting them to the event after the fact.

A common example is a large warehouse or truck yard, where there are numerous vehicles and equipment that must be protected from theft, vandalism and other crimes. By implementing a wide-angle camera with motion detection and remote access, you can monitor a large area with little effort, eliminating the need for multiple guards to patrol the property at night.

Security cameras can offer a host of capabilities, including crime-deterrent strobe lights, license plate recognition and thermal sensors. With these advanced technologies, you can be sure that your business is protected at all times, and even catch a criminal in the act.

Another benefit of remote surveillance is the ability to view a live feed anywhere with an internet connection. This can be a great advantage for business owners or operations managers who are on the go and may need to check in on their site from home or while traveling. It can also cut down on the need for on-site maintenance, as most remote monitoring companies provide both technical and operational support.

Some remote monitoring companies can even notify emergency services when a situation arises, which helps to reduce response times and ensure that a faster police or fire department is dispatched to the scene. This can be especially valuable for large facilities that have frequent incidents, or are in a high-crime location. For instance, security cameras that have been integrated with AI can spot staff that are not wearing their safety gear, or notice that a vehicle has been driven into an unsafe position.

Motion Detection

As the name suggests, remote camera monitoring systems use cameras that are able to detect movement within their field of view. These cameras can then alert the homeowner of any unauthorized activity via an onscreen notification or audible alarm, providing security personnel with a rapid response to potential threats or emergencies that could otherwise go unnoticed.

While the technology behind motion detection is relatively straightforward, maximizing the capability of this feature requires careful consideration and meticulous optimization. This begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the property to pinpoint critical surveillance spots, helping to inform the layout of primary and secondary monitoring zones. Then, sensors can be calibrated to discern between everyday occurrences such as your cat strolling through the living room and movements that warrant an alert (for more details, see Tuning Sensors to Avoid False Triggers). Once this is done, you can then customize how and when you’re notified of detected movement, from instant smartphone push notifications to emails or even audible alarms.

A good remote camera monitoring system will also leverage advanced technology to help minimize the risk of false alarms. For example, some smart cameras incorporate artificial intelligence capabilities that recognize and adapt to unique movement patterns, prioritizing significant movements like a human walking toward the house over inconsequential ones such as a bird flying through the air. Other cameras are equipped with size recognition software that overlooks objects smaller than a set threshold, ensuring that harmless creatures won’t trigger an unnecessary alert.

Another important factor to consider when selecting a remote monitoring system is its ability to provide reliable documentation that can be used for legal proceedings, investigations, or insurance claims. Ideally, the system you choose will be able to record high-resolution footage that can clearly identify faces and clothing, as well as include sound. In addition, some remote monitoring systems store recorded video data securely in the cloud, providing easy access to historical footage regardless of location.

Finally, it’s worth noting that most remote camera monitoring systems provide some form of data encryption that helps to protect sensitive footage from hackers and other unauthorized third parties. This is an essential feature that ensures that the system can only be accessed by authorized users, and not just anyone with an internet connection.

Email Notifications

If a camera detects motion, a video alert is sent to the user’s email account and/or smartphone. Users can log into their account to view the live feed and the camera’s recording history. They can also receive instant alerts via a mobile app or email to ensure the safety of their home, family, pets, and business.

When you choose a security camera system that sends push notifications to your mobile device, it is a great way to monitor your property at home or the office without having to physically be there. Some cameras have the ability to capture and store a snapshot when motion is detected, allowing you to get a visual idea of what caused the alert to trigger. You can then take the appropriate action to make sure no crime is committed.

The Reolink RLC-810A is an example of a battery powered camera that can send email alerts when motion, tampering or vandalism is detected. It also features an infrared night vision, two-way audio and a PoE interface for easy integration with your existing network. The RLC-810A is a top performer that has the power to deter crime from your property, save valuable footage and record audio for evidence, and it can do it all at a fraction of the cost of a professional security guard.

Depending on the model, some security cameras with push notifications can also be configured to send images to your email account or smartphone via message MMS when motion is detected. Users can also receive notifications on a schedule for routine activity to keep track of what is happening at their property.

If you would like to receive email notifications from a security camera, you will need to configure the SMTP server and port. A detailed tutorial on how to set up security camera email alerts in Gmail can be found here. You can also use this tool to test your IP camera email settings and ensure the software is working correctly. In most cases, the setup is very simple and quick.

Alerts

Depending on the security camera system you have in place, you may be able to receive alerts when motion is detected or alarms are triggered. This allows you to monitor your property remotely even if you are away from home or the office, and ensures that you never miss an important event.

Video monitoring works in real-time, meaning that when you see an image on your monitor it is a direct representation of what the camera is seeing. This is important because it is the most reliable way to learn about what is happening within a building or structure.

When you get an alert on your phone, it is based on a live feed from your camera that is being sent to a remote monitoring center. This allows you to know that there is an issue with your camera at the very moment it is occurring, giving you a better chance of responding quickly before the situation escalates.

If you use a cellular camera with built in GPS, the location of the device can be used to provide a map of your area and help police find the individual responsible for an alarm. This can be especially helpful if you have cameras on your business that are used to record trespassers or burglars and want to make sure they get caught.

Remote monitoring also provides a much more efficient and effective solution than hiring physical guards to patrol your site. When a security camera is activated, the images are transmitted to a security control room where a human operator can see what is occurring and consult your site plan to decide whether an audio warning is necessary or if it is appropriate to call local law enforcement to respond to the site.

In a recent example, a busy outdoor shopping center began using remote monitoring in addition to their mobile surveillance trailer and employing a physical security guard to be onsite from 6am to 10pm. In less than a month, this proactive approach worked to deter and stop two potentially fatal crimes at the location.