Running a business is no easy task. With a constant focus on growth, customer satisfaction, and keeping up with daily operations, security can sometimes feel like a secondary concern. Ensuring the protection of your premises is critical. Across the UK, many businesses are turning to a combined keyholding and CCTV monitoring approach to ensure their sites are secure around the clock.
What is Keyholding?
Keyholding involves entrusting a set of keys to a professional security company, which will hold them securely and use them to access your premises when required. If an alarm triggers or another emergency arises, the keyholder will attend your business to investigate, resolve the issue, and, if needed, liaise with the police or other emergency services.
Keyholding is ideal for businesses that want to ensure round-the-clock security without having to rely on employees or managers responding to alarms or emergencies during unsociable hours.
Benefits of Keyholding Services:
- Rapid Response: Security companies can respond quickly to alarms and incidents, reducing the risk of damage or theft.
- Reduced Risk for Employees: No need to put employees at risk by requiring them to respond to out-of-hours security issues.
- Professional Handling: Trained security personnel will handle all incidents professionally and with minimal disruption to your business.
What is CCTV Monitoring?
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) monitoring involves the use of cameras to keep an eye on your premises 24/7. Security personnel typically monitor live feeds from these cameras at a control centre, allowing them to respond instantly to any suspicious activity. The presence of CCTV alone can act as a deterrent, but its real value lies in the ability to provide real-time surveillance and support rapid responses when necessary.
Benefits of CCTV Monitoring:
- 24/7 Surveillance: Constant monitoring ensures that any incidents are identified immediately, even outside normal working hours.
- Deterrent to Criminals: The visible presence of cameras often deters would-be criminals.
- Cost-Effective: Reduces the need for physical security personnel while still maintaining a high level of protection.
- Evidence Gathering: In the event of a crime, CCTV footage provides valuable evidence for the police and insurance claims.
The Synergy Between Keyholding and CCTV Monitoring
While both keyholding and CCTV monitoring offer significant security benefits on their own, combining them creates a more robust and integrated security solution. This synergy allows for proactive identification of potential threats and rapid response to incidents.
How They Work Together:
- Instant Alarm Verification: When an alarm triggers, CCTV monitoring staff quickly review the footage to determine whether it’s a false alarm or a real threat. If necessary, they can dispatch a keyholder to attend the site.
- Faster Incident Resolution: Keyholders can access the premises immediately, guided by information from the CCTV footage. This enables them to resolve the situation faster.
- Minimised False Alarms: With CCTV monitoring, security personnel can assess whether the alarm activation requires a response, reducing the number of unnecessary call-outs for keyholders.
- Enhanced Coordination: In the event of a real security breach, keyholders receive CCTV footage, keeping them fully informed before arriving on-site. This enables quicker and more focused responses.
Case Study: Manufacturing Facility in Birmingham
A large manufacturing facility in Birmingham was experiencing frequent false alarms, which led to frustration and costly disruptions. After implementing a combined keyholding and CCTV monitoring solution, the company noticed a significant improvement. CCTV operators were able to verify false alarms remotely, drastically reducing unnecessary call-outs. On the occasions when the alarm was genuine, the keyholder had access to real-time footage, allowing for a more informed and swift response. This integration not only saved the company money but also gave them greater peace of mind.
Tailoring the Solution to Different Sectors
Different industries have unique security requirements, and we can customise a combined keyholding and CCTV monitoring solution to meet these needs.
Retail
For retail businesses, especially those with high-value stock, theft and vandalism are major concerns. CCTV cameras can monitor key areas such as entrances, stock rooms, and cash registers. If a break-in or suspicious behaviour is detected, the keyholder can be dispatched immediately to investigate.
Industrial and Warehousing
Industrial sites and warehouses often cover large areas, making them difficult to secure with physical patrols alone. CCTV cameras provide comprehensive coverage of the site, while keyholders can respond swiftly to any alarm activations or incidents detected by the cameras. This is particularly valuable during weekends or night shifts when the site may be less staffed.
Office Buildings
Office buildings often house sensitive information, making them attractive targets for thieves. CCTV monitoring helps protect these assets by keeping an eye on entrances and exits. In the event of an alarm, a keyholder can be sent to the scene to assess the situation and secure the premises.
Construction Sites
Construction sites are vulnerable to theft and vandalism, especially during off-hours. Combining CCTV monitoring with keyholding enables a rapid response to any incidents, helping to minimise damage and losses. You can also use CCTV footage to monitor on-site health and safety compliance.
Benefits for Businesses
Businesses from bustling cities like Birmingham, Covenrty and Leicester to more rural areas and villages, all face unique security challenges. Here are some of the key advantages of combining keyholding with CCTV monitoring for businesses:
Cost Efficiency
For many businesses, hiring full-time security personnel may not be feasible due to budget constraints. Combining CCTV monitoring with keyholding provides a more cost-effective solution. CCTV cameras provide continuous surveillance, and keyholders are dispatched only when needed, reducing the reliance on constant on-site personnel.
Improved Response Times
In cities with businesses spread across urban and rural areas, a security system must provide instant alerts and guarantee a swift response. However, CCTV monitoring allows operators to detect incidents in real-time and dispatch keyholders promptly. This reduces the response time and ensures incidents are dealt with before they escalate.
Increased Deterrence
Criminals are less likely to target businesses that have visible security measures in place. The presence of CCTV cameras acts as a powerful deterrent. Additionally, knowing that a professional security company holds the keys to the premises adds another layer of protection.
Customisable Security
Every business has different security needs, and combining keyholding with CCTV monitoring allows for a flexible and tailored solution. If you need to monitor multiple access points, large perimeters, or sensitive areas, we can design the system to meet your specific requirements.
Peace of Mind
Business owners and managers can rest easy knowing that their premises are under constant watch, and that a professional keyholder is ready to respond to any incident. This peace of mind is invaluable, especially for those who manage multiple sites or operate in high-risk industries.
Practical Considerations for Implementing a Combined Solution
Choosing the Right Security Provider
When implementing a combined keyholding and CCTV monitoring solution, it’s essential to choose a reputable security provider. At Mono Security, we are accredited by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and have a proven track record of providing these services.
Customising Your System
We collaborate directly with our clients to position CCTV cameras in the most effective locations and provide keyholders with clear instructions on responding to various incidents. Also, we regularly review the system to ensure it stays effective as your business evolves.
Maintaining Communication
Clear communication between the CCTV monitoring team and keyholders is crucial for the system to work effectively. Both teams need the necessary tools to share real-time information and respond to incidents.
Regular System Testing
To ensure your security system is always functioning correctly, it’s important to carry out regular tests. This includes checking the CCTV cameras, ensuring the alarm system is working properly, and confirming that keyholders can access the site as needed.
Final Thoughts
Combining keyholding with CCTV monitoring offers a comprehensive and cost-effective security solution. This powerful combination allows for real-time surveillance and rapid response, all while reducing the need for physical security personnel. If you’re in the retail, industrial, or office sectors, we tailor our approach to meet your unique needs.
