Top 5 Tips To Optimize Your Remote Guarding Solution

There’s more to Remote Guarding than meets the eye. Especially when you want it done right.

Remote guarding has become an increasingly popular security solution for businesses and organizations of all sizes because of its versatility in adapting to different site layouts and its efficacy in protecting assets without requiring physical security personnel on-site. But like most things in life, the effectiveness of a solution is often only as good as the environment it operates in. Here, we share tips that urge you to audit your security strategies from different angles to fortify your security plan. Accidentally setting off your alarms and having to explain them to the police would not be a good look. Perhaps you are familiar with the cautionary tale of the boy who cried wolf?

Read on for our proven best practices in the security industry to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of your new security system and confidently keep your business #protected. 

Without further ado, let us jump right into it!

Table of Content

Tip 1: Establish new protocols and conduct operational stakeholder training

Tip 2: Understanding camera placement and other influential factors

Tip 3: Breaking down trends through regular footage reviews and analytics

Tip 4: Comprehensive audit of access control strategies and deterrents 

Tip 5: Establishing keyholder accountability and responsiveness

Remote Guarding Done Right

Walking The Talk

Tip 1: Establish new protocols and conduct operational stakeholder training 

When businesses implement a remote guarding system, it is crucial to establish new protocols and educate stakeholders since it is likely to alter business operations in some way, whether it be from a protocol or procedural perspective. A prime example of this could include educating and requiring workers to give the command center a heads-up prior to their arrival to avoid triggering false alarms that are both costly and disruptive. Their authorization to enter the site can then be verified by either a keycard code, a series of security questions, or by cross-referencing their credentials with a pre-approved list.

Adhering to these established protocols is crucial to maintain a secure and safe environment, enhancing the effectiveness of your security strategy, and enabling everyone to focus on your core operations with confidence.

Tip 2: Understanding camera placement and other influential factors 

To ensure cameras can capture clear footage and effectively safeguard your entire operation, it's important to strategically place them and consider factors like proper lighting and landscaping. A reliable remote guarding solution provider should guide you through this process empowering you to succeed while in the driver's seat of your operations. 

Figure 1.1: Example remote guarding camera placement map. Understanding where security is the thinnest and which areas on your site are heavily monitored are some of the best practices to strategically place some of your more valuable equipment and assets. 

Here are several methods to optimize and support the performance of your surveillance cameras:

• Understanding camera placement and the strategy behind it: This goes beyond just acknowledging where the cameras are. A holistic understanding of a security strategy involves knowing the general field of view for the cameras to help you identify areas of your site that are most prone to vulnerabilities (e.g the least amount of cameras with hidden blind spots) and tuck away your equipment and valuable assets in more heavily monitored areas (e.g areas with overlapping camera surveillance from more than one camera). 

• Protect your power outlets: Don't forget to protect your power outlets! If they're not secured and maintained properly, they can be damaged or tampered with, causing a loss of power to your cameras and compromising your security. A reliable remote guarding provider should have a backup battery as insurance in case of power loss due to unforeseeable events like extreme weather conditions.

             To add an additional layer of protection for your power outlets, you can:

• Use tamper-proof covers to prevent tampering and protect them from the elements

• Use surge protectors to prevent damage from power surges and keep your rented cameras in good condition

• Regularly inspect your outlets to make sure they're working properly

• Proper illumination: Proper lighting is crucial for clear camera footage and for identifying potential threats. Consider installing additional or brighter lighting and regularly evaluate external site conditions to optimize camera performance. Avoid direct light and reflective surfaces that can trigger false alarms.

Clearer camera images can have two benefits:

• Easier identification of suspects and faster resolution of crimes by police with improved camera analytics.

• Stronger evidence to support insurance claims for theft with indisputable images and footage.

• Maintaining clear landscaping: Clear landscaping is important for effective surveillance as it allows cameras to capture a wider and clearer view of the site. Overgrown shrubs and tall trees can obstruct the cameras, making it difficult to detect potential threats. Removing these obstructions can also act as a natural deterrent for potential suspects who prefer to operate "under the radar" (or so they think!).

Tip 3: Breaking down trends through regular footage reviews and analytics

Figure 1.2: Our Radius Security Redhanded™ Solution with advanced human detection recognition and analytics to filter out false positive movements (e.g swaying tree branches, animals passing by) which in turn dramatically reduces false alarms. 

Regularly reviewing camera footage can help identify areas that need adjustments to optimize the effectiveness of your remote guarding system. This is essential for better security and risk management. Analyzing the footage regularly can reveal patterns or trends that might indicate potential security threats or vulnerabilities on your site. Proactively addressing potential crime hotspots enables swift response to potential security threats and ensures that businesses can stay ahead of potential suspects who may contemplate breaking into the premises.

Where do suspects like to congregate near your site? What is the most common time of day when your alarms are triggered? These are just some of the many questions analytics can answer for your business.

Tip 4: Comprehensive audit of access control strategies and deterrents 

To keep your remote guarding system effective, it's important to regularly audit and maintain your access control strategies. Here are some tips to help you do so:

Figure 1.3: Radius Security, “Private Property, No Trespassing” Banner alongside strategically placed fence deterrents.

• Manage access credentials: Make sure that only authorized personnel can access certain parts of your site. Keep your access control lists updated and remove any invalid credentials (e.g employee turnovers).

• Monitor access logs: Keep an eye on access logs to detect any unusual activity that may indicate a security breach. Set up alerts for any suspicious behavior.

• Install physical barriers: Fences, gates, and turnstiles can be effective barriers to restrict access to certain areas of your premises. They also provide a visual cue to employees and visitors about restricted areas.

• Use access control for key boxes: Add an extra layer of security to keys that grant access to valuable machines and business assets. It also helps with the safe exchange of keys between workers.

• Display "No Trespassing Signs" around your site: Effectively communicate to potential intruders that your site is being monitored around the clock. It is also recommended to consider the use of more specific signage to further discourage unauthorized access (e.g No Trespassing: Violators Will Be Prosecuted!) while avoiding any language that could be perceived as unprofessional or confrontational (e.g Smile, you’re on camera!).

Tip 5: Establishing keyholder accountability and responsiveness

Make sure you have a reliable key holder. Ideally, when nominating the person for this task, you should consider:

• How close does the designated keyholder live to the site? (typically you want this number to be <30min)
• What is their availability after hours? Are they easy to contact?
• Have they undergone the proper training to deal with challenging situations? Handling security incidents and coordinating with law enforcement is a bonus. 

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date keyholder contact information with the command center is crucial to ensure a timely and effective response to any security incident. In case of an emergency or security breach, quick communication with the keyholder can prevent or minimize potential harm and damages. Without accurate and up-to-date contact information, law enforcement may struggle to reach the keyholder or experience delays in response time, which could potentially escalate the situation.

Remote Guarding Done Right

Implementing and adhering to these best practices can be the difference between a successful and ineffective holistic security plan. While investing in a remote guarding solution is a critical component of the plan, the success of the plan ultimately relies on how well the solution is managed and utilized. By following these best practices, organizations can ensure that their remote guarding solution is fully optimized and integrated within their overall security strategy, providing the highest level of protection for their assets, employees, and stakeholders.

Walking The Talk

Different industries have varying security requirements, so when choosing a remote guarding company, a security consultant should guide you through best practices and make recommendations based on your unique needs and budget.

Since 1948, Radius Security has been an expert in the security industry and has built a strong partnership with law enforcement across the US and Canada. With a false alarm rate below 1.3%, we have earned the trust of law enforcement and offer high-level video verification for faster response times. We'll be with you every step of the way, from installation to liaising with police officers if a crime occurs. After all, your success is our success.

Looking for more than just catching suspects on camera? Let us show you how it's done with our Redhanded™ solution. Contact us to learn more. 

Our Texas License Number is B10454601.