Most commercial burglaries occur when a business is closed, leaving your building most vulnerable when you’re away. How do you handle safety when the property isn’t heavily staffed? A security system can help. Cameras and alarms are proven to reduce crime and increase peace of mind, making them a smart investment that lets you rest without worry. You may wonder whether you can monitor your system from afar. The answer depends on which system you choose, but for many newer ones, phone security monitoring is a common perk.
What Is Phone Security Monitoring?
Historically, accessing camera feeds on the go wasn’t always an option, and viewing footage on a fixed monitor was the most common way to keep tabs on what was happening. Thanks to advancing technology, it’s now possible to keep tabs on your property through a web browser or mobile app, regardless of how far away you are. There are multiple benefits to these systems. You can set up push notifications that alert you if a system is set off. Phone camera streaming can even reduce mistaken scares by giving you a way to instantly investigate what triggered an alarm. Compared with fixed monitoring, phone security monitoring lets you respond faster and with more flexibility. There are two traditional approaches to phone security monitoring.
Cloud-Based Security Cameras
Cloud-based cameras stream video to a secure cloud platform, eliminating the need for a physical recorder on-site. You’re able to watch the captured video online through a dashboard that lets you view multiple streams at once. Compared with IP cameras, cloud-based cameras are often the better fit for businesses with more than one location, customers interested in AI features like facial and license plate recognition, or retail stores seeking a more flexible security option.
IP Cameras with a Network Video Recorder
IP cameras are the more traditional option. Your cameras feed footage to a network video recorder in a server room. The recorder connects to the Internet to allow remote access. Rather than a web browser, these cameras often come with dedicated mobile apps provided by the manufacturer. Compared with cloud-based cameras, an IP camera might be the better fit for a business that needs continuous video storage or complete control over where footage is located.